£49,000 boost for Moray creatives – including a musical comedy, a Cabrach art project and a new opera
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THREE Moray-based creative projects are sharing more than £49,000 of National Lottery funding.
The makers behind a musical comedy, a Cabrach art project and an opera are set to benefit in the latest rounds of Creative Scotland's Open Fund.
The funds are aimed at supporting creative people, projects and organisations across Scotland to adapt and respond to the challenges brought about by Covid-19.
The Golden Spurtle, by Moray-based writer and composer James D. Reid, was awarded £15,000. The project follows the true story of Benedict Horsburgh, who was the first Englishman to win the coveted Golden Spurtle at the world porridge-making championships.
Set in Carrbridge in 2012, the light-hearted musical comedy aims to examine our natural inclination to root for the underdog as well as concepts of national and personal identity.
James said: "In light of Brexit, the Scottish independence referendum debate, and the resurgence of national extremism across the globe, I’m interested in the conflicting views and definitions of national identity, national pride and what that means, in relation to the individual."
Local visual artists Mary Bourne and Lynne Strachan will embark on a 10-month arts project – Reconnections – with Cabrach communities. They received more than £25,000 to develop the project.
Through a creative exploration of the landscape, people, environment and history, the project aims to raise awareness of the area, locally and further afield, with all learning and findings used as stimulus for new artwork which will be publicly exhibited.
Project co-ordinator Mary said: "We are delighted to be given the opportunity by Creative Scotland to develop an arts project exploring the landscape, environment and history of the Cabrach.
"We look forward to working closely with those still resident in the area and people from further afield to raise awareness of this unique and beautiful place."
Funding of more than £9,000 has also been awarded for the development of The Great Wave – a new opera by Dai Fujikura, with a libretto by Moray-based Harry Ross.
Based on the life of the Japanese artist, painter and printmaker Hokusai, the work follows on from their recent collaboration, A Dream of Armageddon, that was premièred at the New National Theatre Tokyo in November 2020.
Harry said: "Hokusai, his life and work, has had a strong resonance with Dai and I, especially as the fog of the future has hung heavy over the arts. He was a maverick, living a chaotic life, opportunistically rolling with the tides and swells of fate."
The Open Fund has no deadlines, and eligibility criteria and application guidance can be found on the Creative Scotland website.
