Arts & Business Scotland Award Finalists

18 July 2014

Inksters Solicitors and Scottish Ensemble have been shortlisted for the Arts & Business Scotland Awards 2014. This is for their partnership that enabled Scottish Ensemble to visit Shetland in the summer of 2013 for a mini-residency culminating in a performance of Seavaigers with Chris Stout (Shetland fiddle) and Catriona McKay (Scottish harp).

They have been shortlisted in two categories. The Placemaking Award is for the partnership that has strategically shaped the cultural activities in a particular geographical area or has contributed to an increase in cultural tourism in that defined area. The People Award is for the partnership that has used the power of culture to engage with the people in the wider community.

Thorben Dittes, Chief Executive of Scottish Ensemble, said:-

“I am thrilled that Scottish Ensemble is sharing two nominations for an Arts and Business award with Inksters Solicitors. Our partnership with Inksters allowed us to take our highly successful collaboration with two leading folk artists, Chris Stout and Catriona McKay, to the community of Shetland.

With match funding from the New Arts Sponsorship Grants scheme Scottish Ensemble was able to significantly extend its work in Shetland to include a four-day residency. This enabled us to widen our reach within the community through a meaningful and wide-ranging programme of performance, participatory, and education events.

The support of Inksters was crucial in making our concert and residency in Shetland happen. It is appropriate that our nominations are in the Placemaking and People categories; our project responded directly to Shetland – the place, the people, and the environment.”

Brian Inkster, Founder of Inksters, said:-

“I am delighted that our partnership with Scottish Ensemble has been recognised in this way by Arts & Business Scotland. It was truly a privilege to have been involved in such a special project that enabled Scottish Ensemble to take their music to the Shetland community.”

The winners of the 2014 Arts & Business Scotland Awards will be announced at an Awards ceremony at the Theatre Royal Glasgow on the evening of Friday 24 October.