partners

The Arts development team works in partnership with a range of organisations to deliver the Aberdeenshire Council Cultural Strategy.

The following organisations currently receive strategic funding or support from Aberdeenshire Council. The team also works with other Councils and other Aberdeenshire Council Services, national and local agencies such as The Scottish Arts Council, The National Trust for Scotland, Peacock Visual Arts, Scottish Sculpture Workshop and individual artists.

Arts Forums

There are three Arts Forums, representing the communities in north central and south Aberdeenshire.

Banff and Buchan Arts Forum (www.bbaf-arts.org.uk) in the north,

Gordon Forum for the Arts (www.gordonforum.org.uk)in Central Aberdeenshire and

Kincardine and Deeside Arts Forum (www.kdaf.org) in the south.

Each forum has a unique identity, reflecting the development of the arts sector in that particular area. The Forums provide an opportunity for communication and discussion about the arts and undertake a variety of projects, such as exhibitions, commissioning original art-work and a web based directory of public art. The Aberdeenshire Council Arts Development Officers work in association with the Forums.

The Forums also administer The Aberdeenshire Council Arts in the Community Grant Scheme
(link to funding page)

North East Arts Touring: NEAT - www.neatshows.org.uk

NEAT brings professional touring performances to venues across North East Scotland, enabling local communities to experience performing arts in local venues .Some shows are hosted by NEAT, but most are organised by local groups with assistance and from NEAT..

North East Open Studios: NEOS - http://www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk/home.asp

North East Open Studios (NEOS) is a collective of artists, makers and galleries based in northeast Scotland, who open their doors to the public annually. This event gives the public an opportunity to see and discuss the work with the artists, whilst promoting the work of these artists.

Scottish Sculpture Workshop: SSW - http://www.ssw.org.uk/

SSW provides residencies, training and exhibition opportunities for international and UK based visual artists who wish to research ideas, experiment with new techniques or develop existing skills. Through this work the artists engage with the local community, exploring issues relevant contemporary rural life. Activity is also delivered with local schools.

Deveron Arts -
http://www.deveron-arts.com/

Deveron Arts delivers a programme of residencies and related events in the Huntly area. Visual art is the main focus providing a catalyst connecting a wide range of creative practitioners. The activity of Deveron Arts is not centered in a venue, all the projects delivered are guided by the theme ‘The Town is the Venue’.

Woodend Arts Association - http://www.woodendbarn.co.uk/

Woodend Arts Association (WAA) is based in Woodend Barn, Bachory and delivers a diverse programme, including music, dance, opera and theatre productions from both local and national companies. The programme also includes a range of workshops. The exhibition space, The Lang Byre Gallery hosts exhibitions, including collaborations with local schools, art colleges and artists collectives.

Monymusk Arts Trust - http://www.artstrust.org

Monymusk Arts Trust maintains a small arts venue, delivering a programme of music and theatre performances and also a craft exhibition through the summer months. This converted chapel offers an opportunity to experience quality performances in an intimate setting.

The Doric Festival - http://www.thedoricfestival.com/

The Doric Festival celebrates the language, music, storytelling and traditions of the North East. The festival offers an opportunity for local communities across the North East to participate in the festival.

The Aboyne and Deeside festival - http://www.aboyneartsfestival.co.uk/

The Aboyne and Deeside Festival provide a varied programme including a range of music genres, visual arts, theatre, and conversation with national, international and local performers

Scottish Traditional Boat Festival - http://www.stbf.bizland.com/2008/

The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival (Portsoy) focuses on the maritime heritage of the North East. The cultural aspects of the North East are an integral part of this festival, music, song, dance, food and craft are regularly part of the festival. The festival also showcases the work of local artists and works year round to promote the traditional culture of the North East

Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) - http://aberdeenfestival.ning.com/

AIYF delivers a participatory festival of youth arts, bringing together young performers and artists from all over the world to create and present performances that reflect their different cultures. The festival is based in Aberdeen City, and tours performances around Aberdeenshire as part of the annual event.

The Sound Festival - http://www.sound-scotland.co.uk/

‘sound’ is the North East of Scotland's contemporary music festival. It presents an eclectic but very broad range of contemporary music - classical, traditional, popular, jazz, experimental - through a wide range of events including concerts, talks, electro-acoustic installations, and workshops.

Third Stage -
http://www.woodendbarn.co.uk/about-the-barn/third-stage.html

Third Stage is a project based at Woodend Barn, Banchory. It offers a varied programme of arts based activities for the older people of Deeside.

It aims to increase participation and the self-development of this older community and explores the issues and barriers that restrict participation.

COAST Festival of Visual Arts - http://www.coastfestival.org.uk/

Coast is a visual arts festival based in the coastal towns of Banff and Macduff. The festival includes an affordable art market, showcases work of local artists, activities for children and temporary public art commissions.

Pushing Out The Boat - www.pushingouttheboat.co.uk

An acclaimed prose, poetry and visual arts magazine of the North East of Scotland, featuring new writing of and about the North East.

Garidge Theatre

The Garidge Theatre delivers the Garioch Drama Festival and provides an opportunities for young people to develop their drama skills and benefit from professional expertise.