Transformers-style musical robots in Shetland. Robert Burns-inspired installations and gigantic toppling sculpture in Ayrshire. A four-part dance cycle inspired by myth in Dumfries and Galloway, a huge outdoor theatre takeover of Falkirkʼs new park-space, and a festival of fire on the streets of Fraserburgh. Welcome to Roofless, Scotlandʼs biggest, most ambitious new outdoor arts programme, designed to engage directly with tens of thousands of people in communities across the country.

Roofless was supported through Creative Scotland’s Year of Creative Scotland investment programme to create First in a Lifetime opportunities for the people of Scotland to experience creativity.

Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland, said: “The Year of Creative Scotland will raise the roof with this visionary programme of outdoor events across Scotland. UZ Arts has an international reputation for iconic street arts projects that engage with local participants and reach new audiences.”

In its first incarnation this year, Roofless, working closely with partners from each region as well as artists from across Scotland, the UK and Europe, will create five large-scale, spectacular, outdoor arts events (everything from interactive sculpture to pyrotechnic theatre), happening within communities.

Neil Butler, the Director of UZ Arts and Roofless: “Roofless has attracted the very best national and international artists from all art forms who are interested in collaborating with the public, unlocking the creativity found in our communities.”

Although each project is distinctly different and rooted in the local history and culture of its region, they will all come about through a series of participation events and workshops, various community groups working with professional artists towards a spectacular finale.

Roofless also aims to build up a network of like-minded artists and producers involved in public art across the country. Many of the areas they are working with are those identified in 2008ʼs Taking Part report as the least likely to engage with art events, whether due to economic disadvantage or, in more rural areas, geographical spread. As Roofless will also run across accessible digital and social media platforms, we hope to connect communities across Scotland and the world on an even larger scale.

The first Roofless project, Burns Brightly, culminates within the Burns An' A' That! Festival in Ayr in June 2012. Artist Olivier Grossetete will be creating his latest work during the festival aided by local school children.
For further information please visit UZ arts website.