About Shetland arts development agency
Shetland Arts Development Agency: A Cultural Hub in the Heart of Scotland
Shetland Arts Development Agency is a non-profit organization that has been at the forefront of promoting and developing arts and culture in Shetland, Scotland. The agency was established in 2006 with a mission to create opportunities for artists, audiences, and communities to engage with the arts.
Located in Mareel, Bonhoga, and the Garrison, Shetland Arts Development Agency offers a wide range of cultural activities including cinema screenings, exhibitions spaces for visual art displays, workshops for creative learning experiences as well as cultural projects and education courses.
The agency's flagship venue is Mareel which is situated on Lerwick's waterfront. It boasts two cinema screens that show both mainstream movies as well as independent films from around the world. The venue also has an auditorium that can accommodate up to 300 people making it ideal for live performances such as music concerts or theatre productions.
Bonhoga Gallery is another venue operated by Shetland Arts Development Agency. It showcases contemporary art exhibitions featuring works by local artists alongside those from further afield. The gallery also hosts regular events such as artist talks and workshops where visitors can learn more about different artistic techniques.
The Garrison Theatre is yet another facility managed by Shetland Arts Development Agency. This historic building was once used by the military but now serves as a performance space for theatre productions and other live events.
In addition to these venues, Shetland Arts Development Agency runs various cultural projects throughout the year aimed at engaging local communities with different forms of art. These include initiatives such as 'Screenplay' which brings together film enthusiasts from across Scotland to watch movies together while discussing them afterwards; 'Wordplay' which celebrates literature through readings by authors; 'Fiddle Frenzy' which celebrates traditional Scottish music through concerts featuring some of Scotland's best fiddlers; among others.
Shetland Arts Development Agency also offers a range of education courses for people of all ages and abilities. These courses are designed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue careers in the arts or simply enjoy creative hobbies. Some of the courses on offer include painting, drawing, photography, music production, and filmmaking.
The agency's commitment to promoting arts and culture in Shetland has not gone unnoticed. It has received numerous awards over the years including 'Best Arts Venue' at the Scottish Thistle Awards in 2015 and 'Best Cultural Event' at the Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards in 2016.
In conclusion, Shetland Arts Development Agency is a cultural hub that offers something for everyone. Whether you're interested in cinema screenings, visual art exhibitions or live performances by local musicians or theatre groups; there's always something happening at one of their venues. With its commitment to promoting creativity through education courses as well as cultural projects aimed at engaging local communities with different forms of art; it's no wonder that this organization has become such an integral part of Scotland's cultural landscape.