Opportunity to help shape artistic COVID memorial
Artists in Orkney are being encouraged to sign up for a project aiming to memorialise the COVID-19 crisis.
The national Remembering Together programme is giving creatives the opportunity to create a COVID memorial in close collaboration with the community.
The project is aimed at helping communities create works of reflection, remembrance, hope and healing about the pandemic. It is managed by Greenspace Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, and is supported by £4.6 million.
Memorial projects are being co-created through artists working closely with communities in every local authority area of Scotland, with around two thirds already underway.
Orkney Islands Council’s (OIC) arts development service is facilitating the recruitment process here.
Creative practitioners appointed will be expected to work with people in ways that are inclusive and relevant, with the emphasis on co-creation with local people.
Emma Gee, arts officer at OIC said: “We’re proud to be helping bring this opportunity to artists in Orkney, and play our part in helping the county reflect on and express the impact of the COVID pandemic in its own way.”
John Saich, project officer with Greenspace Scotland for the Remembering Together programme, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for creative practitioners to step into or strengthen their grass roots co-creation skills.”
Artists/creatives will be supported by a delivery panel including representatives from NHS Orkney, VAO, The Blide Trust, The Pier Arts Centre, LEADER, North Isles Landscape Partnership along with Orkney Islands Council Arts Development and an OIC Councillor.
Artists and communities will be able find out how to be part of Remembering Together: Orkney at the Remembering Together website.
The callout for Expressions of Interest from practitioners opens on Thursday, June 30. The deadline for expressions of interest is 12pm, Friday, July 15.
To find out more about this opportunity, email Emma Gee on emma.gee@orkney.gov.uk.