Gaelic Arts Strategy for Glasgow - An Lòchran

The importance of Gaelic arts in the cultural life of Glasgow and Scotland as a whole was heralded on Friday 18 November 2005 at the launch of a Gaelic Arts Strategy for Glasgow (2006-2009).

An Lòchran, the organisation responsible for promoting and developing Gaelic arts and culture in Glasgow and the surrounding area announced the details of its first strategy for the promotion of Gaelic Arts in an event held at Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts. The event was attended by key partners and representatives of the arts community.

The Strategy – the first dedicated Gaelic arts strategy for any local authority area in Scotland - was launched in partnership with the organisation's key partners – Glasgow City Council, Scottish Arts Council, The national Gaelic Arts Agency (Proiseact nan Ealan) and Bòrd Na Gàidhlig.

The Strategy aims to:

• establish and develop an infrastructure for Gaelic arts in Glasgow including a Gaelic Arts centre
• extend and enhance the range of Gaelic arts, locally, nationally and internationally
• increase access and participation, thereby developing audiences
• raise the profile of Gaelic arts and culture thus increasing visibility

It is hoped that the influence of the Strategy, as it is implemented, will be widely felt throughout the community.  The strategy envisages close collaboration with the new 3-18 Gaelic school which is set to open in the city in August 2006.

With over 10% of Scotland’s Gaelic speakers, the largest number outwith the Western Isles, Glasgow is seen as the centre for Gaelic culture in mainland Scotland. The 2001 Census revealed that the number of people in the city who understand, speak, read or write Gaelic was 10,034 with almost half of these under the age of 44 making it a particularly youthful demographic group.

This youthfulness and energy was demonstrated in May this year with the sell-out 'Flower of the West' concert – a celebration of Gaelic music and the work of Runrig’s Calum and Rory MacDonald – which brought singers and musicians from all over the world together in a memorable and energetic performance.

Boyd Robertson, Chair of An Lòchran, commented: 'The once concentrated Gaelic community of Glasgow is now spread throughout the city and beyond, but it strives to maintain and celebrate its rich cultural traditions. An Lòchran aims to take Gaelic arts in the city to a new level and to bring Gaelic culture within the reach of the wider population. This strategy is designed to enable that to happen.

The strategy seeks to extend and diversify Gaelic cultural activity in Glasgow and increase awareness of, and access to, a precious cultural heritage. In doing so we hope to enhance the quality of life of those who reside in or visit Glasgow, while making a positive contribution to the multicultural tapestry of Scotland as a whole.

With development funding from our key partners Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Arts Council, Bòrd Na Gàidhlig and the national Gaelic Arts Agency, a series of core, strategic and project activities over the next three years will meet current gaps in Gaelic arts provision, while creating avenues and partnerships to enable a visible and secure future for Gaelic cultural identity in and around the city.'

For further information on the Strategy, please contact Jennifer McColgan at Weber Shandwick on 0141 333 0557, or Rona Macdonald, Gaelic Arts Officer, Glasgow City Council on 0141 287 8915.