Organisers of an Aberdeen festival catering for art, music and dance fans have revealed plans to expand – opening it up to newcomers for the first time.
Aberdeen Festivals currently comprises of nine events, including the Aberdeen Jazz Festival, May Festival, Aberdeen International Youth Festival, TechFest, North-East Open Studios and DanceLive.
Now the group has put out a call to other festival organisers to consider joining up for next year’s programme.
More than 177,000 people have enjoyed performances at the various events, which together present hundreds of free shows for all ages and tastes.
With the success of this year now helping to secure funding from Aberdeen City Council and Visit Scotland for the 2016 calendar, groups interested in teaming up with the collective are being urged to get in touch.
Steve Harris, chief executive of VisitAberdeen and chairman of Aberdeen Festivals, said: “It’s a credit to the festivals that they have been able to dedicate time, energy and resources to make this initiative work and I’m delighted that other festivals can now apply to join and can reap the rewards of partnering with some of the area’s top festivals.”
The deadline for applications to be made by festivals is October 23, visit www.aberdeenfestivals.com for more information.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen has been given another cultural boost as an initiative which encourages artists to remain in the city has been given funding worth £55,000.
The Anatomy Rooms, and artist-led studio and production centre, will use the city council funds to transform unused rooms in Marischal College into a mixture of studios, workshops and project rooms.
The new venture is expected to open later this year.
Anatomy Rooms director Jim Ewen said: “The high cost of living and rent makes it virtually impossible for artists to stay in Aberdeen and build a career for themselves. The Anatomy Rooms will play an important part in reversing that creative drain.
“We’re very grateful to both Aberdeen City Council for their generous investment and to the University of Aberdeen for leasing us the space.
“Their support allows us to realise our vision of developing a creative venue that will benefit both those artists who use the centre and the wider community.”