Culture Collective
Ayr Gaiety was one of twenty-six projects in Scotland that made up The Culture Collective, a pilot program aimed at establishing a network of creative practitioners, organizations, and communities working together to create a positive difference locally and nationally in response to COVID-19.
The program supported a participatory approach, working collaboratively to actively engage people in shaping the cultural life of their community.
You can read more below or check out these videos – there’s a longer version or a shorter summary:
And for more in depth information, download the project evaluation report
The Gaiety’s Culture Collective Program included:
Wallacetown: ‘What’s Your Story?’
A creative writing group for adults that met weekly and worked towards a performance. Members learned direction, performance, and other theatrical elements as part of the group, led by Creative Practitioner Des Dillon.
Newton Drama Group
This group met weekly for primary-aged children who had just had their first performance. Each week, Creative Practitioner Emma McDougall, assisted by Creative Practitioner Assistant Lisa McIntyre, worked with the young people to build confidence, teamwork, and performance skills.
Champions Board
A group of young people with care experience that met fortnightly to participate in creative writing workshops and art activities. They worked towards adapting a classic play to represent their experiences and stories while also developing their own stories. The group was led by Creative Practitioner Fiona Evans and assisted by Creative Practitioner Assistant Maya Rose Edwards, working towards presenting a main stage show written by Fiona.
Dementia-Friendly Theatre Show
This group met weekly with partners Dementia Men’s Group and built close links with Dementia Friendly Prestwick and Dementia Arts. The partners in this new Dementia Friendly show were ‘Fearless Players’ led by Creative Practitioners Shonagh Murray & Lydia Davidson, assisted by Creative Practitioner Assistant Serena Doran.
Girvan: ‘Catch a Drift’
The Girvan group worked closely with the community to create a new art and physical theatre performance and exhibit. They foraged resources and natural beach treasures to create artwork for the exhibit and ran physical theatre sessions on Girvan Beach. The group worked closely with partners at CRAG Community Arts, and the exhibition was a photography exhibit of the work created throughout the project. The Girvan group was led by Creative Practitioner Hayley Earlam and Creative Practitioner Assistant Maya Rose Edwards.
Happy Shock Theatre Company
A weekly theatre company for adults with additional learning needs, run in partnership with ENABLE Ayr. The group worked with music, physical theatre, and improvisation, aiming for a year-end showing. This group was led by Creative Practitioners Ceylan Hay & Lydia Davidson, and assisted by Creative Practitioner Assistant Serena Doran.
