Scottish Borders Cultural Forum (with RSA) | March Gathering 2019

Everyone with an interest in culture, heritage and the arts is invited to the second Scottish Borders Cultural Forum of 2019. The forum is an informal event, offering a chance to network and find out about projects and initiatives. On 25th March it is kindly hosted by the RSA (Royal Society of Arts) at the Trinity Centre, High Cross Avenue, Melrose.  The Trinity Centre is adjacent to the Episcopal Church.  We will list other presentations shortly: it is anticipated there will be some introductory remarks on 2019 being International Year of Indigent Languages.

The format of a Cultural Forum is very simple and starts with 2 or 3 short presentations to stimulate discussion and questions, followed by a chance to discuss any topics relating to culture, upcoming events of projects.

We’re delighted to announce the presenters for this Forum:

Catherine Holden, Chair of Craft Scotland

Catherine Holden is an independent strategic consultant, who has worked for museums, galleries, theatres and other national cultural organisations in Scotland and London.  She chairs the Craft Scotland Board.  The aim of Craft Scotland is to promote the contribution of craft to Scotland’s cultural, economic and social well-being.

RSA Fellow Professor Máiréad Nic Craith 

Máiréad joined the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies at Heriot-Watt University as Professor of European Culture and Heritage in September 2012.  She previously held a Chair in the School of Social Sciences and Applied Social Studies at the University of Ulster. She will speak about the 2019 International Year of Indigent Languages.   Many indigenous languages, which matter for social, economic and political development are in danger of disappearing.  It is for this reason that the United Nations declared 2019 the Year of Indigenous Languages in order to encourage urgent action to preserve, revitalize and promote disappearing languages.  It is through language, not forgetting BSL, that we communicate with the world, define our identity, express our history and culture, learn, defend our human rights and participate in all aspects of society, to name but a few.  Through language, people preserve their community’s history, customs and traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking, meaning and expression.  They also use it to construct their future.

RSA Fellow Ann Packard will update on the recent “Rethinking Relationships” Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation oriented event delivered via Creative Scotland: this was on the CGF “Inquiry into the Civic Role of Arts Organisations“.  Ann chairs the RSA Fellows’ Borders Network, and also the Media, Creative Industries, Culture & Heritage Network which she founded in 2007.

There will also be an update from last month’s Cultural Forum in Galashiels, which reviewed the Forum to date and where we had really lively discussions and great ideas about how the Cultural Forum can evolve in the future.

The Cultural Forum supports the work of the local cultural sector by creating a space for networking, sharing concerns, ideas and resources and finding solutions to common problems. The Forum comes together informally on a regular monthly basis in different locations and provides a social get together, a discussion and a lively cultural experience. It is a champion not just for the cultural sector but also for culture’s role in the economy, environment, education, health and the quality of life that is so important to the Scottish Borders.

Refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Please let us know of any dietary requirements when booking. The event is free but, but for reasons of capacity and to meet fire regulations, places must be booked in advance.

To reserve your place, please book a free ticket via Eventbrite* or call 01750 726400 no later than 9am on Monday 25 March 2019.

Delegate List: Attendees at previous gatherings have found the delegate list useful in terms of following up on conversations with specific people or organisations enabling the exchange of information and contacts. We will be putting together a delegate list (which will include your email address) for this Gathering so please let us know if you DO NOT wish to be included. Please indicate which job title and business or organisation name you would like us to include.

*This is an RSA hosted event – please note that contact details provided when registering for this event will be shared with the RSA.

 

Directions to Trinity Centre: Proceed north out of Melrose towards Galashiels. Drive up High Cross Avenue to where it forks (office building on the right). Take the left fork. Ignore RC Church just thereafter on left. The Trinity Centre is adjacent the Episcopal Church on the right with a bus stop at its gate. Parking is in adjacent streets.

Accessibility:  The Trinity Centre is fully wheelchair accessible, but do please mention any access need so relevant assistance may be offered.  Parking is in adjacent streets.  There are bus stops in each direction in High Cross Avenue which is well served by buses.