The first artists’ residencies for Scotland’s celebration of Highland culture in 2007 have been awarded Scottish Arts Council National Lottery support.

The Partners residencies initiative has prioritised Highland 2007 projects which would provide opportunities for communities that have little or no experience of the arts.

Nine projects, from a total of ten awards, focus on Highland 2007 and include:

• A project to discover a new constellation for Highland 2007, drawing together art, science and literature
• Highland Print Studio will work with community groups in Wester Ross
• A two-year residency in Sutherland will lead a programme of activities for young people in Helmsdale
• A George Mackay Brown writing fellowship will be established in Orkney
• The Pier Arts Centre in Stromness is pioneering a project combining art and agriculture
• A residence in Cromarty, will involve two artists; one focusing on the past and one on the future
• In Burghead, an artist will be reinterpreting the Pictish traditions to reflect contemporary arts practice
• The Community Woodlands Association will develop a residential theatre tour of community woodlands with Te Pooka, Blazin’ Fiddles and local artists
• Buckie Festival will work with an artist for their community event

The additional residency awarded in this round will support a dance artist in residence in Dundee.

Iain Munro, Head of Lottery,  Scottish Arts Council commented: "Scottish Arts Council National Lottery funds are used to help inspire people and transform their lives.

"These partners residencies represent an exciting range of opportunities across Scotland for communities and artists to work together to develop their creativity.  Many of the residencies will take place in unusual settings and involving people in the arts who have had few opportunities to take part previously.

"We are particularly delighted that through these arts residencies, communities across the country will be part of the celebration of Highland culture in 2007."

Councillor Alison Magee, chair of Highland 2007, said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Arts Council through the Partners fund has allocated nearly £300,000 to artist in residence projects in the Highlands and Islands next year.  Highland 2007 is a year of celebration in Scotland and this support from the Scottish Arts Council ensures many more people can enjoy Highland culture through the arts.”

This recent suite of awards represents the third round of Partners funding. The first rounds of Partners funding established 43 new residencies in communities around Scotland.  As well as providing a range of audiences with the opportunity to learn how artists work, Partners will also support artists by providing a period of reasonable financial stability

For more information contact Michelle Jordan, Senior Communication Officer, Scottish Arts Council on 0131 240 2404.