The ‘Connector - Learning Network For Arts And Communities’ project has one major aim:

To provide workforce and continuing professional development for workers in the arts and creative industries in Scotland.

This will be achieved by supporting the development of an on-line community of arts and creative industries workers in Scotland, including:

* on-line learning and CPD materials;

* on-line resource library, skills bank exchange, bulletin boards and FAQ;

* surveys and research – commissioned through the project;

* e-news bulletin.

Learning materials developed and placed on the site will address artistic, business, and

professional skills including funding, business planning and marketing.

New on-line learning materials will be developed specifically to support CPD for staff employed by arts and creative industries micro-organisation located within lowland Scotland. The project sponsor for ‘Connector’ – Arts and Communities – will explore opportunities for the accreditation of learning materials developed.

The three research studies commissioned will be integral to the project, informing the focus of learning activities and the development of new materials.

Activities to date

July to December 2003

Intensive development work with the core connector team:
co learning sessions facilitated by Queen Margaret University College establishing the scope, range, core aims and ethos of the connector project.

There were three of these sessions in total – each one took us further on the journey of discovery to establish exactly what connector is, could be and will be in the future (including the technical aspects).

One of the unique aspects of this phase of the work was the immersion of the web master in the process. There was a determination from the outset that the role of webmaster would be integral – not simply a technical workhorse and service agency, but the hub and mainframe of the project itself.

As well as webmaster, core connector team and project manager, the key connectors for the pilot phase were also involved in an intensive programme of learning (ethos and aims as well as getting to grips with the technical aspects of uploading their pages.

This phase of the project took longer than anticipated for this reason but the intensive work paid huge dividends later

It was decided that this pilot phase would focus activity on three strands – two geographic areas and the thematic Community Radio.

Phase 2 of the project – January 1st to June 30 th 2004

The site went live in January 2004 with the three main pilot areas

North Ayrshire & Govan were the two geographical areas – community radio the thematic one

a. North Ayrshire

Janet Martin is the connector for North Ayrshire. Much of her initial task has been to do with mapping the terrain – identifying groups and individuals who are active in the area and supporting the new, the existing and the emerging. A major project with the local Further Education College has laid the ground for productive present and future partnership working.

The first local connector event took place in June 2004 bringing practitioners, funders, stakeholders and education providers together in an exciting and inspiring new venue: the regenerated Radio City building in Kilbirnie.

b. Govan

Caroline Spiers, the connector for Govan (the second geographical pilot area) has achieved a huge amount in her year as connector – the Greater Govan page is well established and used. Groups and practitioners have been meeting on a regular basis as the Arts and Regeneration group in Govan and all are making good use of connector. Unfortunately Caroline Spiers has accepted a post in Australia and is leaving the connector team this week. The post will be filled and the local learning event in Govan is scheduled for August 2004 (extension permitting)

c. Community Radio

The thematic strand of the work was focused on Community Radio for the pilot year.

Commedia UK has initiated a Scottish operation under the direction of Babs McCool. As the a&c connector for Community Radio, this situation has allowed a productive partnership to flourish. Babs runs the community radio strand of the website, linking into all the existing and emerging radio stations up and down the country (recent changes in legislation in favour of community radio licensing has helped too).

The People

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