Shifting forward for major arts project

CultureNL and North Lanarkshire Council will work with National Theatre of Scotland over the next six months on a large-scale arts project titled Shift.

Public performances will include six free trailblazer events, taking place in various locations in December.

The project will culminate in a series of large-scale performances, involving a community and professional cast at a surprise location in March 2018.

A National Theatre of Scotland team of leading artists will work with CultureNL staff to collect stories and insights from people in North Lanarkshire which will be transformed throughout the project into art works.

Councillor Heather McVey, chair of CultureNL said:“We are excited that a National Theatre of Scotland team of artists will work with Culture NL arts, venues and heritage teams, museums and libraries, to go to the heart of communities throughout North Lanarkshire.”

Talent from across North Lanarkshire will be creatively harnessed to contribute to the project, including local choirs, writing, video and arts groups, and youth theatres, all of whom will be involved in creating stories, songs, artworks and exhibitions as part of the project and the final performances.

Councillor Paul Kelly, depute leader of North Lanarkshire Council, added:“Shift is an exciting and ambitious project which will reflect on the changing nature of the economic landscape in our area and the impact which this has had on the communities and people who live here.”

Liberty Steel Dalzell are the headline sponsors and are being supported by the National Lottery through Heritage Lottery Fund and Creative Scotland and William Grant Foundation.