P R O J EC TS S H OWC AS E There are a number of special Year of Creative Scotland projects happening in all manner of interesting places across the country that you can get involved in.

NORTHERN LIGHTS IS A FILM ABOUT SCOTLAND MADE BY YOU ANNA ODELL, PROJECT PRODUCER How would you like to see your work as part of a unique and exciting feature-length documentary lm? Got a camera and something you’re eager to share? Then you’re all set to get involved and be in with a chance of winning one of many awards from the £10,000 fund. In the Year of Creative Scotland, we at Northern Lights are handing over to you to help weave the story of Scotland. As creative director, Nick Higgins says, ‘To achieve this, we need people from all walks of life to get involved. Each video submission, no matter how modest, will help build this epic self-portrait of Scotland in 2012.’ The entries already submitted to the project website will help you get inspired thanks to a good sprinkling of humour and a dose of diversity. Why not join in with one of the workshops being run by the team? Details of these and useful how-to videos can be found on the website. This is your chance to have your say in how we see and understand our incredible and diverse country - a real once in a lifetime opportunity. Submissions are open until June 21st 2012. www.wearenorthernlights.com; @weRnLights

Festival of Museums

18th - 20th May Venues across Scotland Find something exciting, entertaining and surprising in over 70 museums and galleries across Scotland, day or night, as part a Europe-wide celebration of the fantastic experiences museums have to offer. MICHAEL CLARK COMPANY: COME, BEEN AND GONE MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE 23rd - 24th May Macrobert, Stirling Making his debut at the macrobert, one of Britain’s leading choreographers presents an electrifying dance performance made primarily to the music of David Bowie.

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY ARTS FESTIVAL MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE; LITERATURE & FILM; ART, ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN 25th May - 5th June A festival of variety from music, dance and theatre performances as well as visual art and lm to unique venues ranging from rural to urban, large and small. TRAQUAIR SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE 26th - 27th May Traquair House, Scottish Borders A weekend to ing yourself back to times of yore with archery, jousting, jesters and, of course, theatre - all within the wonderful grounds of Traquair House.

GIANTS IN THE FOREST. GROW WITH US . . . SYMON MACINTYRE, VISION MECHANICS In a country where much of our creativity is inspired by the incredible natural environment around us, what better year to launch our unique project, Giants in the Forest?

Giants in the Forest Looking down on us from tree tops will be massive wicker heads, seeded and suspended in forests around Scotland to change and grow with the seasons. Combining art, technology and the natural environment, this amazing project is calling on you. Talk to us, tell us your journey and how the Giants have inspired you. Post your pictures and unveil your thoughts in the way the 21st century has taught us - via facebook and the website. The heads will feature in ve of Scotland’s forests - Moine MhoÌr National Nature Reserve, Kilmartin; Calgary Art in Nature, Isle of Mull; Galloway Forest, New Galloway; Glentress Forest, Peebles; and Bowhill House and Country Estate, Selkirk - with each forest hosting a series of activities from April to October and culminating in a celebration of the life cycle of the Giants. Will you visit them all? www.giantsintheforest.com; @GiantsinForest

FOR MORE INFO AND UPDATES VISIT

WWW.VISITSCOTLAND.COM/

CREATIVE

Get more inspiration on facebook. com/visitscotland and join in the discussion on twitter using #YoCS

The year is a partnership between the Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, VisitScotland, EventScotland and VOCAL.

Tide Machine at Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival

‘Nine Trades of Dundee’ at Scotland’s Jute Museum - a major exhibition which marks the 500th anniversary of Dundee’ Weaver Craft. BANK OF SCOTLAND IMAGINATE FESTIVAL MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE 7th - 14th May Various venues, Edinburgh Featuring performers from around the globe, Imaginate showcases the best in theatre for young people - a perfect family day out.

BOSWELL BOOK FESTIVAL LITERATURE & FILM 11th - 13th May Auchinleck House, Ayrshire Celebrating the art of biography and memoir, the unique Boswell Book Festival takes place in the magnifi cent surroundings of Auchinleck House, and this year features the acclaimed, Janice Galloway and actor Timothy West. 27 MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE 17th - 26th May Citizens Theatre, Glasgow An insightful examination and poignant play about loneliness, ageing, science and the loss of our sense of self, by Abi Morgan.

PERTH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE; LITERATURE & FILM 17th - 27th May Various venues, Perth Covering various art forms from classical music and opera to rock, jazz, folk, dance and visual art, there’s something for everyone at this eleven-day festival. FESTIVAL OF MUSEUMS ART, ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN; SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY