Call out for creatives in the Caithness community

Lyth Arts Centre (Lac) is looking for creatives and artists in Caithness to work with them on the next iteration of Cair: Caithness Artists in Residence.

Cair first launched in November 2020 as a new community arts initiative that connects artists and creatives with Caithness communities. Led by LAC and local community organisations, the first cohort of Cair artists led projects across the county, developing creative responses to local problems, and exploring an artist and community-led approach to recovery after coronavirus.

Key successes of the first phase included Joanne B Kaar’s project TEXTiles with Befriending Caithness which used different embroidery techniques to create reminiscence packs for befriendees to use.

Also part of the first cohort was Wick jeweller Kelly Munro who worked with local young people exploring their maritime heritage and creating a final collaborative metal work piece in celebration of Wick Harbour.

Current artists that are part of the programme include Lisa Poulsen who is working with Listening Ear’s JIM Group, poet and playwright George Gunn who continues as the Caithness Makar and illustrator Hannah Cambridge who is working with New Start Highland.

Now live, the call out for artists includes one creative to work in the Sinclairs Bay area, supported by the development trust there. Another new commission will focus on Bower, collaborating with Bower Busy Bees Nursery and Bower Primary School. A third residency is open for artists wishing to work anywhere in Caithness.

LAC co-director Charlotte Mountford said: "Cair is a really amazing project that came out of lockdown and has now become part of our core activity.

"This next phase really highlights the buy in from the community and how much people are beginning to see the amazing benefits arts and culture can have – from health and wellbeing to community cohesion. We hope to get lots of applications form artists across Caithness to take part and support our community in this way."

The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday, March 20. This is a paid opportunity with a fee of £3000 plus a materials and training budget available. Applications can be made online at: lytharts.org.uk/cair-caithness-artists-in-residence-phase-22/

The project is funded by Inspiring Scotland’s Creative Communities Fund and Creative Scotland’s Open Fund: Sustaining Creative Development

For more information email: info@lytharts.org.uk

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