Dewar Arts Awards – Fifth Anniversary Concert
On Monday 10 December, many of Scotland’s
most ardent supporters of the arts will gather together in the Debating
Chamber of the Scottish Parliament, for the Dewar Arts Awards Fifth
Anniversary Concert and Exhibition. The evening event, hosted by the
Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP, on behalf of the Dewar Arts
Awards, will be followed by an informal reception in the Garden Lobby.
Nowhere could be more appropriate than The Scottish Parliament to celebrate the Dewar Arts Awards, inaugurated in 2002, in memory of Donald Dewar Scotland’s first First Minister. In the past five years over one and a quarter million pounds have been dispersed to more than 100 young people by the trustees.
Ruth Wishart, Chair of the Dewar trustees said: “Scotland’s
success lies in realising its creativity and the trustees have been
bowled over by the depth of talent which has emerged during the
nomination process. It’s a fitting legacy for Donald Dewar, but it’s also an inspiring glimpse of an exciting future.”
Only a small amount of the extraordinary young talent from Scotland
can be represented on the evening, but the concert and exhibition will
offer a unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of and hear tomorrow’s
stars. The
concert will be led by Sally Reid (actor) and artistes performing
include Lauren MacColl (fiddler), Fraser Gordon (bassoon player), Amira
Bedrush-McDonald and Ani Batikian (violinists), Karen Cargill
(mezzo-soprano) and Fraser Campbell (saxophonist). The exhibition
curator is Robert Niven and those exhibiting include Luke Fowler, Erica
Eyres, Oliver Smith and Anthony Schrag.
Scottish
Parliament Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP added: “I am delighted
that the Scottish Parliament is able to host this worthwhile event. The
Dewar Arts Awards have been an effective and appropriate way to
acknowledge the very special contribution of Scotland’s first First Minister. I
am certain that he would have considered it fitting that we celebrate
our talented and inspiring young people here in the Chamber of their
Scots’ Parliament.”
Members
of the public can attend the free event by booking through Visitor
Services at the Parliament on (0131) 348 5200 or by email to
[email protected]. Booking ahead is recommended.
Notes to Editors
The rules of the Dewar Arts Awards are simple. The candidates have to be living in Scotland,
under 30, able to demonstrate outstanding ability in any art form and
without the financial means fully to realise their potential. Friends,
colleagues, tutors or someone with knowledge of their work can nominate
anyone. Candidates may also require to have previous work professionally assessed.
The
trustees have at their disposal the income from a trust fund set up by
the then Scottish Executive in memory of Donald Dewar, the first First
Minister of Scotland. Applications are accepted all year round
recognising that opportunities do not always fall conveniently into the
financial calendar year. This rolling format also means there are no
deadlines to be met.
Applications
are assessed by some of the most respected names in the arts. Among the
trustees, chaired by journalist and broadcaster Ruth Wishart are
Catherine Lockerbie (Director of the Edinburgh International Book
Festival) and John Wallace (Director of the RSAMD), Faith Liddell
(Director of Festivals Edinburgh), Sir Brian McMaster (retired Director
Edinburgh International Festival), Lesley Thomson (Director Liddell
Thomson Consultancy) chair of The Arches, James Boyle who chaired the
Cultural Commission and Jean Urquhart, Vice Convenor of Highland
Council. Patrons of the Awards include Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Giles
Havergal, Tommy Smith and Callum Innes.
Further details of the awards can be found at www.dewarawards.org or by emailing [email protected].
For further press information: Dewar Arts Awards
Liz Smith: Tel 0141 423 4373, email: [email protected]
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