Eileen is new brush in arts role
Arran has a new arts administrator.
Eileen Wilson has just taken up her new part-time post and visited the island for the first time last week to meet members of the Arran Theatre and Arts Trust to discuss her future role.
It will be her job to co-ordinate arts activities on the island and develop new strategies for the future.
The two-year post has been funded by Creative Scotland and the Robertson Trust and the Highlands and Islands Leader Rural Development Programme.
Eileen was one of 14 applicants for the job, initiated by the Arts Trust and her role will be to promote the professional and amateur arts on Arran and beyond, co-ordinate and develop existing projects such as the new Arts Trail, Arran Open Studios, McLellan Arts Festival and all arts activities on the island which seek her help as well as developing new projects.
Eileen lives in Glasgow and will work two days a week on the island. A graduate of Stirling University, she is very experienced in working in the arts sector, managing and developing many different festivals and events across Scotland and working with many professional and community artists.
Eileen said: ‘I’m really excited to be working on Arran, and am thankful to the Arran Theatre and Arts Trust for this amazing opportunity. I’ve spent many happy childhood summers exploring Arran and it’s a dream for me that I get to come back and work here.
‘Arran has such an interesting, diverse and active artistic landscape with so much to offer. I’m looking forward to working closely with both its artists and the wider community to develop an ambitious programme which is of the island and really reflects the islands talents.
‘I want to help strengthen its connections to the wider arts world so that Arran becomes known as the Arts Island – a title it deserves. I’m also excited to learn more about the island and its intricacies. I’m looking forward to meeting and talking to and working alongside the community on Arran to create a lasting, exciting arts programme – one that does the island and its inhabitants proud.
‘I’ll be around. I want to get to know you and build something with you and for you. Come and talk to me, have a cup of tea and tell me what you’d like to see happening on your island. Get in touch at arrantheatre andarts@gmail.com.’
Heather Gough, of the Arts Trust, said: ‘Once Eileen has established herself she will be delighted to meet with those involved in arts activities on Arran and will be able to offer advice to groups and individuals. She is an enthusiastic and able person and it is to be hoped that she will help all those involved in the arts to make the slogan Arran, the arts island come into being.’