CAIR: Caithness Artists in Residence was a brand new community arts initiative that connected artists and creative practitioners with distinct Caithness communities.
Led by Lyth Arts Centre and local community organisations, the project explored how LAC could work with artists and facilitate creative responses to local problems, encouraging creative cultural activism and prioritising an artist and community centric approach to recovery after coronavirus.
The Artists in Residence were based in Caithness and worked mostly in the communities they were associated with. Instead of a one-off workshop by a visiting artist, the Artists in Residence worked with their matched communities from December 2020 until June 2021.
Details of our 5 local artists below…
Wick Artist in Residence – Kelly explored issues highlighted in the Wick Locality Plan and worked in Wick with local young people to explore their maritime heritage and identity through metalwork and design.
See Kelly’s end of project film below…
To read more about Kelly and her project, please click here
Joanne worked in collaboration with Befriending Caithness, older people and those who care for older people, including professional care providers, volunteers and relatives, to develop an intergenerational project that connects isolated elders with their wider community.
See Joanne’s end of project film below…
To read more about Joanne and her project, please click here
Lybster Artist in Residence – Karlyn worked specifically with Caithness Community Connections in Lybster, responding to the Rural Caithness Locality Plan and developed community connections using her vast skill base.
See Karlyn’s end of project film below…
To read more about Karlyn and her project, please click here
Caithness Makar – George worked across the county with several community partners, delivering writing workshops and developing ‘Words on the Wind’ a community poem/film project which explores and captures what it means to live in Caithness today.
See George’s end of project film below…
To read more about George and his project, please click here
Thurso Artist in Residence – Responding the Thurso Locality Plan, Donna collaborated with young people and communities in and around Thurso using theatre and film techniques to explore mental health and other local issues.
To read more about Donna and her project, please click here
The second round of the CAIR project is now open for applicants, see more info on this here
