Culture Fund a catalyst for connection with heritage

The Council’s Culture Fund has been described as a catalyst for connection – between young people, their peers and their heritage - by The Connect Project run through VAO. 
 
Young people came away from a programme of activities and trips, funded by the Culture Fund, with new found confidence and connections to their heritage and creativity, and profound benefits for them as individuals and their communities.  
  
The Culture Fund is a scheme aimed at supporting cultural activity in Orkney. It is now open for applications for projects running next financial year.  
  
Grants can be awarded for projects related to arts, heritage or Orkney dialect, and can support new or existing projects. The Fund has supported 72 projects, to the tune of £126k, since 2019-20. 
  
And in the case of The Connect Project, the fund can help ignite an interest in Orkney heritage – in turn, building a sense of belonging and community. 
 
Karen Mack, Connect Project Coordinator at VAO, said: “We wanted to take full advantage of this fund to help provide our young people with new experiences to build their confidence, through cultural experiences. 
 
“We started by speaking to them about what ‘Culture’ means to them. They told us they wanted to learn about Orkney heritage, Orkney crafts and also other cultures - and Japanese culture generated a lot of interest. 
 
“From there we devised a programme of activities for throughout the year. 
 
“This included excursions to heritage sites such as Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and Skaill House and falconry, Standing Stones of Stenness and the Barnhouse Settlement, with the expertise of an Historic Environment Scotland ranger as a guide. 
 
“For the Orkney crafts, we explored nature printing at Soulisquoy in Stromness, and learned Orkney straw techniques to upcycle a dining chair from Restart to a traditional Orkney straw backed chair. 
 
“Orkney Japan Association held some great sessions with our young people - from a sushi making experience, to planning a Japanese garden, to linocut and block printing, Japanese drumming, and Japanese language lessons. We linked in with the Tensai art group in Japan online and joined the Sakura festival in Tokyo via VR Headsets! 
 
“In addition to the cultural learning, there was a great deal of secondary learning, developing life skills, experience and confidence such as arranging transport and travelling by bus for the first time, working in a team, communicating with new people - or just being able to manage a new situation. 
 
“But there were also some lovely surprises in terms of outcomes. For example, one young person came away from the sushi making with a new-found openness to increasing the range and quality of the food they ate, after many years of a limited diet.  
 
“Another was visiting sites in mainland Orkney and feeling a connection to this heritage for the first time.  
 
“One parent was amazed to see photos of their child smiling so much and engaging with an activity after so long struggling with debilitating anxiety. 
 
“And for some young people, their hesitation and doubt about some of the more creative sessions turned to pride and pleasure in the work they created, and eagerness to share their creations with friends and family.  
 
“Engaging with others and feeling part of an accepting group has a long term benefit for the individual and wider community but when this can be added to giving them access to opportunities and resources it massively improves their confidence and skills making them more able to manage changes, become more resilient, connected and social. We wouldn’t hesitate to apply to the Culture Fund for funds to help us run a similar programme again. 
 
“We of course also couldn’t have done it without the generosity and support of all our helpers and the Orkney Japan Association.” 
 
The Council’s Culture Fund is open to applications for financial support for cultural events, activities or projects taking place in Orkney between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026.  
  
Applications forms, and guidance and case studies of past projects are on the Orkney Islands Council website at www.orkney.gov.uk/CultureFund  
  
The deadline for applications is 5pm 25 October 2024.