Published: 14 Jan 2019
As part of an effort to promote the highly regarded children’s theatre and dance sector internationally, Imaginate and Creative Scotland are supporting a delegation of Scottish artists, producers and companies making work for young audiences to the prestigious International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) showcase taking place in Philadelphia from 15-19 January 2019.
IPAY is one of the most important international showcases for theatre and dance for young audiences and securing a country spotlight speaks volume about the reputation the sector has established abroad. The event, Spotlight on Scotland will help promote Scottish theatre and dance for young audiences to an international market, particularly that of North America and help develop new relationships and touring opportunities. Marking the first time that Scotland has presented a co-ordinated presence at the festival, the delegation includes nineteen artists, producers and companies presenting leading work in Scotland today, including Barrowland Ballet, Catherine Wheels, Curious Seed, Independent Arts Projects, Imaginate, Lyra, Licketysplit, Red Bridge Arts, Scottish Theatre Producers, Starcatchers, Visible Fictions and 21 Common. The showcase programme of the festival includes a performance from Andy Cannon and Red Bridge Arts who will present Is This a Dagger? The Story of Macbeth.
A major benefit will be making invaluable contacts and generating future touring and performing opportunities for artists and companies from Scotland who work in this sector.- Colin Bradie, Interim Head of Creative Learning
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop, said: “Knowing that IPAY have chosen Imaginate and Scottish performing companies to feature at this year’s showcase event in Philadelphia is a testament to the calibre of the world-class acts we have on offer for young people – and an inspiration to the next generation of Scottish theatre and dance.
“This year’s IPAY spotlight on Scotland is an incredible opportunity to showcase and further promote Scottish talent to international audiences, helping explore new artistic partnerships and opportunities.
“As Imaginate gets ready to celebrate its 30th anniversary, I am pleased to be hosting its launch later this month to ensure this prestigious children’s festival continues to provide a platform for our young people to experience high-quality arts. I’m pleased we were able to contribute £126,000 Scottish Government Expo funding towards this year’s edition of the festival.”
Paul Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of Imaginate, said: "Scotland is proud of its international reputation for producing artistically exciting and emotionally engaging theatre and dance for young audiences. IPAY is the key event to attend in order to access the North American market and is also a great place to exchange ideas and meet people working in all areas of the young audiences sector.
"As Imaginate celebrates 30 years of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival we are very happy to be working with Creative Scotland to bring this valuable experience to more Scottish artists, producers and companies to help develop their international reach.”
Colin Bradie, Interim Head of Creative Learning, Creative Scotland said: “Creative Scotland is delighted to support a delegation of Scotland’s theatre and dance makers for young audiences to attend the prestigious IPAY event. The Spotlight on Scotland at IPAY 2019 enables us to showcase the undoubted excellence of our performing arts for young audiences, building on the strength of the international reputation, which this sector already has. A major benefit will also be, of course, making invaluable contacts and generating future touring and performing opportunities for artists and companies from Scotland who work in this sector.”
The Scottish delegation includes Alice McGrath, Red Bridge Arts; Andy Canon, Storyteller, writer and performer; Christine Devaney, Curious Seed; Dougie Irvine, Visible Fictions; Jennifer Cummins, Red Bridge Arts; Jo Walmsley, Barrowland Ballet; Louise Gilmour-Wills, Catherine Wheels; Lucy Gaizeley, 21 Common; Gary Gardiner, 21 Common; Mhairi Robinson, Independent Arts Projects; Noel Jordan, Imaginate; Paul Fitzpatrick, Imaginate; Rhona Matheson, Starcatchers; Sarah Gray, Scottish Theatre Producers; Suzie Normand, Red Bridge Arts; Tony Reekie, Lyra; Virginia Radcliffe, Licketysplit.
Imaginate is the national organisation in Scotland, which promotes, develops and celebrates theatre and dance for children and young people. Imaginate wants more children in Scotland to experience work that is deeply engaging, innovative and inspiring. The organisation supports artists with a year-round programme of creative development, including events, training, residencies, mentoring and special projects.
Imaginate also produces the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival which showcases the best of children’s theatre and dance from around the world and is recognised as one of the best places for international programmers to see work of the very highest standard.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery.
For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter @creativescots, Facebook www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland and Instagram www.instagram.com/creativescots.
Sophie Bambrough, Media Relations & PR Officer, Creative Scotland
Email: sophie.bambrough@creativescotland.com
Tel: +44 (0) 131 523 0016
Mobile: +44 (0) 7747 606 146
