We programme throughout the year, usually 12 to 18 months in advance. Different decisions and activity can affect programming decisions; we are not a regularly funded organisation so must consider this when planning ahead. We currently print and distribute two brochures annually, with print deadlines in December and May – this is a new feat for LAC so this might change in 2020. It is best to get in contact as soon as possible.

Charlotte, who leads on our programming is part-time as well as managing other work in her role as Co-Director so please bare this in mind.

Final programme decisions may be made when we have enough potential shows on the table to make a decision about the balance of the programme. Final programme decisions may be made when the companies we have provisionally booked know about their funding too.

The LAC team hold monthly programming meetings where Charlotte shares some options with the whole team and everyone is invited to feedback as well as offer some of their own suggestions of work they have seen or heard about that might be of interest.

Whilst fees and availability are key factors in programme decision-making other things we have to consider include;

• Commitment to other shows
• Balance of programme and artforms
• Audience potential
• Staffing restrictions
• Staging and technical requirements
• Sales pitch i.e. tour pack and quality of information available 
• Balancing risk (financial and artistic)
• Gender balance and equality across the programme
• Quality
• Personal taste
• Geographical factors
• Status of show in terms of funding

LAC presents a wide programme of visual art and live performance including music, theatre, dance, comedy and circus. As as well as a commitment to all these artforms, we have the following policies; 

• Commitment to emerging theatre and dance companies, and supporting early career musicians and companies to enter a touring ecology
• Commitment to Scottish, and particularly Highlands based artists and companies (for Artist Opportunities please click here)
• Commitment to new work – whilst we may bring back musicians and shows which have sold well previously, this needs to be balanced against whether we feel we can sell it again and against presenting a fresh programme
• Commitment to women artists, female led companies and organisations,  and work that shares stories about the female experience – we strive for at least 50/50 gender balance across our programme 
• Opportunities to collaborate – we are deepening our level of engagement with companies when we find a mutual fit for our strategic aims. This includes our residency programme, workshops, investing in new work and developing our audiences
• Suitable gigs and shows for our Outreach Programme which takes live performance into village halls and community spaces across Caithness and North Sutherland  
• LAC Live Gaelic Programme 2019 – Supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig Gaelic Arts Fund the LAC Live Gaelic Programme supports a programme of live Gaelic performance in Caithness in 2019. This has three strands: 1) Programming Gaelic artists – especially emerging artists – to tour to Caithness, where few or no prior opportunities exist. 2) Inspiring local audiences to experience Gaelic performances regularly 3) Supported by Fèis Rois, work with a Young Gaelic Programmer to support the delivery of the LAC Live Gaelic Programme, and offering professional development opportunities to an early-career producer.  

Generally, when artists and companies approach us, they send information about themselves and their show – what is it about, what does it look like, when is it available. This is essential information and we would also like to know;

• Why are you making this show?
• Why are you touring now?
• Who is the show for?
• How will you be selling it to audiences? (copy/image)
• How can you support LAC to reach those potential audiences?
• Why do you want to visit LAC and is it feasible (please see where we are on a map and check the journey is possible for your show at this stage)?
• What kind of financial deal are you looking for?
• A sense of the scale of the show
• How is it staged and what kind of technical resource do you need?
• Is the show/tour dependent on funding, and if so, when will funding be confirmed?
• Which other venues are you talking to/where else are you going?
• Who has seen already seen your work? Do you have any endorsements from other programmers and artists?

The best way to get in touch is to email Charlotte directly on charlotte@lytharts.org.uk. Once you have sent all the information, Charlotte will be in touch as soon as possible.

We offer different financial deals including ;

• Guaranteed fees – an agreed amount that we will pay you regardless of how much box office income there is. Please remember our capacity at LAC is usually 60 and our highest ticket price is £10 – this effects our maximum income and the size of guarantees we can offer
• A box office split – a percentage of the box office income, usually after booking fee reductions
• A guarantee against a split – this means we will pay you either an agreed amount or a percentage of the box office, whichever is greater
• A hire – you pay us an agreed hire fee, and you retain all the box office income

As well as the usual marketing and technical support, we also offer;

• Free accommodation on site for cast and crew (we can sleep up to 13 in a mixture of single and twin rooms)
• A free evening meal for cast and crew – just let us know your dietary requirements!
• First drink at the bar is on us
• If you need to get-in to the space the day before, want to rehearse for a few days before the show or just have some residency time as part of your visit, the space will always be free of charge and we will endeavour to provide you with what you need

Our postcode is KW1 4UD. If you are using a Sat Nav just search for ‘Lyth Arts Centre’. Whether you’re driving, getting public transport or flying please be sure to traffic and travel updates, especially during bad weather.   Click here for more information on travel to LAC 

Accommodation is provided on site! This is already booked for you – you do not need to book anything.

We’ll provide a hot meal for you on the day of your performance. Be sure to let us know any dietary requirements if you haven’t already. We would also like to invite you to join us and our audiences for a drink post-show, too. First drink is on us and it is of course entirely optional! If you need anything else food / drink, our closest shop is Tesco in Wick which is about 9 miles away (15 min drive). They also deliver to Lyth Arts Centre, so feel free to have anything delivered in advance and we can receive it for you.

Just in case you were making a day of the journey…

Beautiful places:

• The Cairngorms National Park – Pitlochry, Dalwhinnie, Aviemore… It’s all beautiful!
• Loch Ness – Definitely a de-tour (at least an additional hour) but pretty special!
• Beaches – Golspie and Brora have beautiful beaches. Fish and Chips in Golspie and The Coffee Bothy too

Food:

• House of Bruar (in Blair Atholl) – Not cheap but definitely worth a visit. There are shops, fish and chips, a cafe and a huge artisan food market
• The Storehouse of Foulis – excellent café / restaurant and farm sharp just north of Inverness.
• Whaligoe Steps – steps down the cliffside to an old harbour. Fantatsic views with chance to see seals, dolphins and orca from an amazing café at the top.

Arts / Culture

• North Shore Pottery – ceramic and pottery in Latheron
• Northlands Creative – international centre for glass artists in Lybster
• Timespan – heritage and arts centre in Helmsdale

We have loads of recommendations of places to visit around Lyth Arts Centre. To give an example, a trip to John O’Groats to see Duncansby Head and the Stacks and then a trip to Stacks Bistro is highly recommended!