Moray creatives share £15,000 pot

TWELVE Moray artists have been awarded grants to help them make their mark in the arts, screen and creative industries.

The successful applicants, including visual artists, choreographers, media artists, musicians, craft-makers, a silversmith, a singer and a sculptor, have been awarded sums of between £800 and £1,500 to develop creative practice.

The £15,000 total was shared through the Moray Artists Bursary from We Make Moray. Some 26 individuals applied this year – an increase on the 23 applicants in the first run last year.

We Make Moray is funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Creative Scotland, as part of Creative Scotland’s Place Partnership Programme. The bursary aims to enable recipients realise their potential while advancing the wider Moray cultural strategy.

The funding will help birth a number of projects – including a musician who will use the cash to create new work that responds to the natural landscape of Moray; a walking art project that connects art, landscape and cultural settings; a sculptor who will research the concepts of garden and wilderness to inform new work; and a visual artist who will purchase equipment to produce shows displaying film, sound and light works.

The grants will also allow Moray-based creatives to learn more about their craft from experts in their field, bringing back traditional little-practised skills to the region.

Sandra Morrison, from We Make Moray, said: "The creative industries in Moray are continuously growing and it was fantastic to receive so many applications for the 2019 Moray Artists Bursary. The panel was impressed by the high standard of applications received, and the diverse work taking place here, making the final decision a very difficult one.

"I’d like to once again congratulate the 12 successful applicants, who each demonstrated a passion for their practice and desire to showcase Moray’s creativity and skillset. Last year 10 projects were awarded funding, so it’s fantastic to be able to support even more individuals to develop activities, skills and creative practice this year and I look forward to seeing each project develop and positively impact the local community."

Jennifer Tipton, from Creative Scotland, said: "The applications for this year’s Moray Artists Bursary programme were hugely diverse and truly reflected the breadth of creative talent in Moray. The We Make Moray Place Partnership has empowered artists and makers across the community to develop their practice and contribute to the cultural growth of the region."

Further information can be found at www.wemakemoray.org.

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