Tag: Creative Scotland

Secondary school students to hear the John Muir story

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‘One day’s exposure to mountains is better than a cartload of books’, said John Muir, who nevertheless understood the power of the pen and wrote prolifically about wild places and the need to protect them. This month a cartload of books about Muir’s life will go out to every secondary school in Scotland to tell the story of his life and legacy.

The new graphic novel, ‘John Muir, Earth – Planet, Universe‘,  – a story told in illustrated format with a combination of Muir’s words and a carefully crafted narrative – has been created by Scottish Book Trust, Creative Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage as part of Year of Natural Scotland and John Muir legacy celebrations. It aims to share the story of the conservation visionary with new audiences, and invites discussion, reflection and action.

“The book and its online resources really brings out the adventurous spirit of John Muir from his childhood in Dunbar to his wanderings around America, and shows the origins of his campaigning zeal and passion for wilderness,” said Rob Bushby of the John Muir Trust who sat on the steering group for the development of the novel.

“The Scottish Book Trust is to be congratulated for capturing this in a way that’s already inspiring and engaging pupils, teachers and adults alike. It has the potential to be a game changer in bringing this often-neglected champion of wild places to a whole new audience.”

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Written by award-winning author Julie Bertagna and illustrated by Glasgow-based artist William Goldsmith, the novel is based on the key moments and life adventures of John Muir and is intended to help children develop a deeper understanding and awareness of the natural environment and the importance of protecting wild places.

With the assistance of Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Eco-Schools Scotland programme, a class set of 24 copies will be distributed to every secondary school in Scotland this month to coincide with the opening of the John Muir Way by the First Minister on 21 April.

The novel was developed in partnership with John Muir Trust, Creative Scotland, Education Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage and in consultation with teachers and school pupils. It combines environmental studies with literacy in an innovative way that hasn’t previously been implemented in Scotland, and is supported by accompanying online resources for teachers.

Commenting on the use of graphic novels as a way of engaging pupils in learning, Marc Lambert, Director of the Scottish Book Trust, said: “The importance of taking care of the planet for future generations is one of the most vital lessons our children can learn.

“Telling the story of John Muir’s life and thoughts through the highly accessible and entertaining form of a graphic novel allows us to reclaim a Scottish hero and helps children to develop a deeper understanding of the key environmental issues he campaigned for, in a creative and enjoyable way.”

You can download the PDF version of John Muir, Earth – Planet, Universe from the Scottish Book Trust

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The John Muir Festival got underway last night with the official opening of the magnificent Kelpies sculptures at Falkirk’s new Helix Park. The Festival runs until 26 April – to find out what’s on go to www.johnmuirfestival.com

FREE PIC- John Muir Festival 2014 Launch 01

Justice Secretary visits Screen Education Edinburgh

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Young filmmakers at Screen Education Edinburgh in Pilton were joined by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill today. Mr MacAskill joined some of the young people in the edit suites as they edited the short films they have been making, before watching four completed films.

Fifty young filmmakers – aged between twelve and 19 – are participating in Xpress Yourself, a project run by Screen Education Edinburgh and supported by Creative Scotland’s CashBack for Creativity programme. Working with the professional support of the Screen Education Edinburgh team based in Ferry Road Avenue, the youngsters have been learning the technical aspects of filmmaking and shooting short films as part of the Xpress Yourself project.

Four groups – the Hearts Filmmaking Group, Hibs Filmmaking Group, Wellington School and The Broomhouse Centre – have been meeting weekly since last autumn to devise, plan and shoot short films. The filming has now been completed and seven films are now in editing stage.

CashBack for Creativity re-invests the monies seized from criminals back into cultural activities for young people across Scotland. The programme is supported by the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities Initiative.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “Recycling cash from the proceeds of crime into arts and cultural activities gives our young people the chance to get creative and broaden their horizons. The Xpress Yourself project is an excellent opportunity for our young people to work on film and digital media projects with industry professionals and perhaps become Scotland’s next screen talent.

“The Creative Scotland project has been funded by the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme which is helping more young people than ever before. Since 2007 a massive £50 million of cash seized from criminals has directly benefited over 600,000 young people and generated over 11,000 volunteers from different backgrounds who are now putting something back into their communities across Scotland.”

Script and directing tutor Graham Fitzpatrick, producer and mentor Sarah Drummond and technical tutor Steven Abercromby-Cook worked with the young filmmakers to help them bring their ideas to the screen.
Graham, who is Screen Education Edinburgh’s Creative Manager, said: “As one of the foremost providers of film-making education for young people in Scotland, we have been delighted to educate and nurture the latest participants in our CashBack for Creativity Programme. Over the months the young people have been learning about all aspects of short film-making, from screenwriting to final edit, devising and shooting seven short films. Not only has their knowledge and skills been enhanced but their confidence and aspirations for the future have grown throughout.”

Participant Louis Clark, who is a college student, said: “The whole thing has been amazing. The course has been the best filmmaking experience I have had. The teaching is of such a high standard that I now feel confident that I can pursue this as a career and have the skills and knowledge to back it up.”

David McDonald, Youth Arts Manager at Creative Scotland said: “This project has given the young people taking part the opportunity to put their enthusiasm, fantastic imagination and willingness to learn into making these short films. They’re also picking up a wide range of practical filmmaking skills along the way, which will benefit them in the future. I can’t wait to see the finished films!”

You don’t have too long to wait, David – the films will be showcased in a premiere at the Filmhouse cinema at the end of April!

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Criminal profits from communities – no more!

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill joined the Proclaimers and young musicians who are developing their career skills thanks to cash seized from crime.

North Edinburgh Arts Centre is one of eighteen studios from across Scotland to have received investment to allow 12 to 25 year-old musicians to record their first demo tracks and allow them access to professional standard recording and rehearsal facilities.

It’s part of Creative Scotland’s Cashback for Creativity project which uses crooks’ cash to benefit young people of Scotland through a series of cultural diversionary activities. Over three years £2.25 million is being invested into dance, film and music programmes.

During 2012 in the Year of Creative Scotland, the CashBack for Creativity programme will create opportunities for over 8,000 budding young film-makers, dancers and musicians to develop their skills.

The CashBack for Communities Programme takes funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them in back into communities, putting young people on a positive path in life by providing opportunities for them to take part in thousands of free activities and projects – over £46 million has been reinvested to benefit over 600,000 young people since CashBack began.

Mr MacAskill (pictured above) said: “CashBack gives young people the chance to get creative and broaden their horizons. I was delighted to meet Jack Hincks and his Band from Biggar who have been given the chance to record professional music at CP Productions in Edinburgh and develop their personal, social and career skills. And who better than the Proclaimers – one of the most successful and popular Scottish bands of all time – to be on hand to share their skills and some of the secrets of their success.

“Jack Hincks and his Band are some of scores of young musicians from across Scotland who will benefit from professional standard recording facilities – and some might follow the likes of the Proclaimers in making a successful career in the music industry.

“Providing opportunities for young people to get involved in the arts, theatre and cultural activities can help improve confidence and give them a sense of achievement whilst also demonstrating that there is more to life than petty crime. Investment in our young people and their communities will always be money well spent.”

David McDonald, Youth Arts Manager at Creative Scotland, said: ‘The CashBack for Creativity programme has allowed recording studios across the country to open their doors to over 161 young bands and acts. The experience of recording in a professional recording studio with experienced producers at such an early stage in their development will hopefully inspire them to achieve their potential in their future careers, perhaps even the music industry.

“The CashBack programme has also given thousands of young film makers and dancers the opportunity to shine and express themselves creatively. Taking part in creative activities can make a real difference to the lives of our children and young people, it can help build confidence, enable them to make friends and teach them how to work as part of a group.”

The Proclaimers’ Charlie and Craig Reid (below) added: “We are delighted to continue to support the Scottish Government’s imaginative policy on community based funding for worthwhile projects, using the confiscated funds from criminal activity.”