Arts Strategy

This ia a strategy for all the arts in Aberdeenshire, including those delivered by Aberdeenshire Council, the independent and voluntary sectors and by individuals.

A steering group representing the arts community developed the strategy, with advice and support from the Scottish Arts Council (SAC). The steering group was informed by a review conducted by arts consultants Bonnar Keenlyside. Their research included consultations with the arts community and organisations that currently or potentially have a role within the arts in Aberdeenshire.

Mission

Our mission is to make the arts part of the fabric of life in Aberdeenshire, to create rich and stimulating arts experiences for all people and communities, young or old. The arts will be everywhere, in our communities, in schools, in our village halls, in the streets. Participation in the arts will enrich our lives, as individuals and as communities.

The strategy covers the period 2003 - 2006 and has the following five aims:

1. To maximise opportunities for all people in Aberdeenshire to access and participate in arts experiences.
2. To create an environment in which arts and artists flourish.
3. To build capacity in communities to develop arts activities.
4. To raise the profile and value of the arts, increasing awareness within and beyond Aberdeenshire.
5. To celebrate local cultural identity while recognising diversiy.

Definition

Our meaning of "the arts" is defined by this statement in the SAC's Charter for the Arts in Scotland:

The term 'the arts' includes, but is not limited to, music (instrumental and vocal), dance, mime, drama, folk art, creative writing, architecture and allied fields, painting, sculpture, photography, graphic and crafts arts, industrial design, costume and fashion design, motion pictures, television, radio, tape, and sound recording, the arts related to the presentation, performance, execution, and exhibition of such major artforms, and the study and application of the arts to the human environment.

Download the Arts Strategy

The Arts Strategy is available to download in either full colour or plain text Acrobat pdf versions:

• Arts Strategy - Full Colour version (pdf 2,177kb)
• Arts Strategy - Plain Text Version (pdf 544kb)

The following appendixes give background information relating to the Aberdeenshire Arts Strategy:

Appendix 1: Context

• Appendix 1 (pdf 58kb)

Appendix 2: What the Arts Mean to Aberdeenshire

• Appendix 2 (pdf 184kb)

Appendix 3: Review of the Arts in Aberdeenshire

• Appendix 3 (pdf 122kb)

If you do not have access to the Internet and would like a hard copy of the any of the documents, please feel free to request a copy by contacting Aberdeenshire Council Education and Recreation Service, Woodhill House Annexe, Westburn Road, Aberdeen, AB16 5GJ or phoning 01224 665527.