Skye and Lochalsh Talent Development Initiative

In 2014 ATLAS Arts and partners, Seall, Aros, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Fèisean nan Gàidheal received funding from Creative Scotland to offer funding to artists, performers and producers to engage in new processes or explore new ways of working and encouraged them to reach for the next level.

The main aim of the bursaries was to offer artistic and professional development opportunities that responded to, and supported, the needs of artists as they change throughout their career; from those of recent graduates and emerging artists.Over the next two years, fifteen people received funding, ranging from a percussive dancer, to a composer, jewellers, a filmmaker, a stonemason and a poet.

The funding allowed them to undertake a programme of activity that drew directly on the expertise and experience of the partner organisations. Additional support was provided in a variety of ways, including; critical dialogues and feedback sessions, attending events, trying out ideas and offering, as appropriate, a platform for presenting a final outcome or production of work.

We were delighted when Creative Scotland asked ATLAS Arts if it would manage a fund being offered to this area to develop emerging talent across all artforms. Local talent will be given the opportunity to develop and share their work. It is also about developing the peer network and using the infrastructure of venues, organisations and expertise to support and contribute to the artist’s development and offer opportunities to showcase and profile the artists being funded. This may involve appointing or acting as mentors, bringing expertise to the island for master classes and providing opportunities that enable the artists to deliver their work to audiences in Skye and or beyond.”
— Emma Nicolson ATLAS Director said of the programme when it was launched

2014 Awardees

Katherine Barrington – painter
Leighton Jones – pianist & composer
Suzy Lee – filmmaker/​artist
Heather McDermott – jeweller
Kate McMorrine and Hector MacInnes – multi disciplinary artists
Emma Noble – printmaker
John Sikorski – multi-instrumentalist & percussive dancer

2015 Awardees

Jennifer Carter Pearson – jeweller
Liondsaidh Chaimbeul – carver
Caroline Dear – research
Sandy Gallagher – stained glass artist
Roddy Gorman – writer & poet
Leighton Jones – pianist & composer
Lorraine Nolan Scott – community artist
Ishbel Strachan – musician & filmmaker
Francis Yeats – stonemason