The Glenkens Community and Arts Trust and the Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme have teamed up to offer an exciting opportunity for a young film-maker in the region.
The commission is to develop four short (3-4 minute) films – two on GCAT subjects and two about Galloway Glens projects.
Faye McKellar was selected for the commission, which was open to 16-25 years olds as part of GCAT’s commitment to developing young people through their Holywood Trust-supported ‘CatStrand Youth Arts’ programme. She will be making a film to advertise CatStrand’s upcoming ‘Dirt Edits’ project, which combines mountain bikes, Go Pros and video editing skills to allow 12-24 year olds to create their own action documentaries. She will provide a glimpse into the upcoming Youth Work plans for her second GCAT film, and for the Galloway Glens, has chosen to focus on their Forgotten Voices / Native Tongues project and on their Intern programme.
Faye had previously undertaken a visual arts internship at the CatStrand and been a member of CatStrand Youth’s Jumpcut film making group. She is delighted to be able to access this further progression for her career before heading to Stirling University to study film & media later this year. She said,
“I am super excited to be involved in this brilliant opportunity to produce videos. I am going to give 100% of my efforts in every piece.”
Aidan Nicol, Arts, Culture and Heritage Manager for GCAT, said,
“Faye has been involved in our youth arts programme as a volunteer and member of our groups at CatStrand for the past four years and it’s fantastic to see her progress to working and studying film – and following her aspirations”
Helen Keron, Education and Community Engagement Officer for the Galloway Glens, said,
“GCAT has such a strong track record of supporting creative careers for young people in the area, we jumped at the chance to partner with them in this project. Faye has chosen two really interesting projects of ours to focus on, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with. Diversity of experience, age and perspective always leads to new and interesting creative responses, so we’re excited to see the results.”
Faye’s videos will be released on the GCAT and Galloway Glens social media and will be available on their websites in June 2021.
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The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Scheme is a suite of projects happening across the catchments of the rivers Ken and Dee from 2018 to 2023. £2.7million of core funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will be matched by a variety of partners to bring over £5million of investment into the area over the 5 years. The area stretches from the uplands behind Carsphairn in the north, through the Glenkens, past Loch Ken, through Castle Douglas and out to the sea at Kirkcudbright. 35 headline projects plus more Small Grants projects all aim to connect people with their cultural, natural and built heritage, and to support sustainable modern rural communities. For more information about the scheme, visit www.gallowayglens.org.
Glenkens Community and Arts Trust (GCAT) was set up in 2001 to advance wellbeing and sustainability through arts, culture and community engagement through fostering connections and encouraging innovation and creative opportunity for all. CatStrand, the HQ of GCAT, is the physical cultural hub of Glenkens and the surrounding area. It is a vibrant centre for the presentation of high quality, accessible arts and creative learning opportunities. For more information see www.gcat.scot
