Cash boost for Gala youth project
Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson visited a Galashiels youth hub to see the results of Scottish Government funding support.
The TD1 Youth Hub at Ladhope Vale received £23,572 from the Scottish Government’s Creative Communities Scotland fund, for ‘Chromonauts: Demolition Art’ – a year-long, youth-led visual arts programme for young people who face multiple barriers to creative participation.
The project will work with young people to reclaim ‘overlooked corners’ of Galashiels to create new art-works/civic spaces.
Mr Robertson said: “This really exciting project supports young people who come to this particular centre and are able to realise their potential through art. It’s clearly transformational for them, for the community and for the town.
"It’s an excellent example that other parts of Scotland should look to – to support young people as they find their way and release their creativity. It underlines the power of of culture and arts and that is why I am delighted the Scottish Government is supporting it.”
He added: “The Scottish Government is investing a record amount of money in culture and the arts. We are doing that in a way that benefits our main cultural organisations, our venues and our festivals.
"But at the same time we are also making sure that this record funding is reaching into communities the length and breadth of Scotland.
“This really exciting project supports young people who come to this particular centre and are able to realise their potential through art. It’s clearly transformational for them, for the community and for the town.
"It’s an excellent example that other parts of Scotland should look to – to support young people as they find their way and release their creativity. It underlines the power of of culture and arts and that is why I am delighted the Scottish Government is supporting it.”
Douglas Ormston, CEO, TD1’s CEO, added: “The Creative Communities Scotland funding has been a welcome boost to TD1 Youth Hub and our Chromonauts project.
"It is providing a vital creative space for our young people who need that connection and support to explore their creativity. We are looking forward to getting all parts of Galashiels involved and creating a new culture in the town with young people being seen and heard and collaborating with our community to create vibrant art spaces that improve our area."