10/07/2019  

CALL OUT for trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists and performers.

Untitled 2009 (rehearsed reading) performer call out. 

Photo by Steve Buissinne

Untitled 2009 is a brand new play written by Nelly Kelly and directed by David Wood, produced as part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations of The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven, by legendary trans artist and activist Jo Clifford. Supported by Outspoken Arts Scotland. All events will take place at the Tron Theatre, exactly ten years after Queen Jesus’ premiere at the theatre in November 2009 to mark the anniversary and celebrate and reflect on its impact and legacy. 

Nelly, David and the team behind Queen Jesus Productions would be delighted to meet any trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming performers of all ages and experience who are interested in taking part in this special project. All performers will be paid for the day of rehearsal and the day of performance. In addition to this all performers are welcome to take part in workshops hosted by Brazilian artist and activist Renata Carvalho (who plays Jesus in the Brazilian production) and voice expert Susan Worsfold (director of the original production). Performers will also be invited to be part of the audience for the UK and Brazilian productions (The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven and O Evangelho Segundo Jesus, Rainha do Ceu) and to take part in post-show discussions. We regret it’s not possible to reimburse travel costs so this opportunity may best suit people based in and near the Central Belt. Actors ITC/Equity minimum daily rates offered for 1+2 Nov.

Important dates (all central Glasgow) 

  • Deadline for expressing interest in casting workshop – Monday 12 Aug 2019
  • Casting workshop – Monday 9 Sep, 10.15-13.15 
  • Queen Jesus performances and workshops – Wednesday 30 October to Saturday 2 Nov (exact days & times to follow) 
  • Rehearsal day – Fri 1 Nov, 10.15-18.00 
  • Performance day – Sat 2 Nov, 10.15-16.00 

How to apply 

Please get in touch by mailto:queenjesusplays@gmail.com telling us why you want to be part of the project and a little about you and your performance experience, this can be done in either written form or as a short video application. If submitting a video please send us a YouTube or Vimeo link. 

There is no word/time limit on applications, however please keep your application concise to allow for the team to give a fair amount of consideration to each applicant. 

The casting for Untitled 2009 will take the form of a relaxed workshop on Monday 9 Sep, 10.15-13.15, and we aim to make it accessible for all. On invitation to the casting workshop, a member of the team will be in contact with you to ask of any specific access requirements you may have and will be happy to discuss with you ways in which we can best support you on the day. 

Venue for casting workshop

Vic Bar (internal location), Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HB

Map link / www.tron.co.uk / Accessibility info

About Untitled 2009 

In July 2009 a Bible was put on display in GoMA alongside the notice: “If you feel you’ve been excluded from the Bible, please write your way back into it.” The exhibit, Untitled 2009, was intended to be a reclamation of the Bible as a sacred text, created by Rev Jane Clarke, a minister of the Metropolitan Community Church, in collaboration with artists Anthony Schrag and David Malone for the Made in God’s Image exhibition (https://galleryofmodernart.wordpress.com/portfolio/made-in-gods-image/). But it was condemned as a sacrilegious act by churches across Scotland, and globally, as negative reports broke out online. 

Now ten years on, Untitled 2009 will be on display again in Glasgow and the words collected in its margins performed, challenged and explored by a dynamic ensemble of trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming performers in this new piece of theatre, as part of Queen Jesus’ 10th anniversary celebrations. What has changed in the last ten years and what do these words tell us about queer lives in Scotland then and now? 

The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven 

The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven is a unique, one-woman, site-responsive theatrical piece in which Jesus has returned to earth as a trans woman. Written and performed by Jo Clifford (TAMING OF THE SHREW, EVE) – author of over 80 plays, Stonewall role model, Saltire Society Outstanding Woman, and one of Scotland’s most renowned playwrights – and directed by award-winning director and voice practitioner Susan Worsfold (EVE, HEROINE). Described as having “one of the most remarkable journeys in recent theatre history” (Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman) the play has indeed had an incredible journey over the last ten years since its premiere as part of Glasgay! at the Tron in 2009. From being the subject of hate and abuse from a mass protest outside; to hundreds of critically acclaimed and sold out performances in the UK and Brazil and the resulting creation of a Brazilian version that has become the most talked about work in the country and is at the epicentre of the struggle against censorship and bigotry.

Curated by Queen Jesus Productions, with support from Tron Theatre and Outspoken Arts Scotland, the 10th anniversary celebrations include a three-performance run of the original production and the Scottish premiere of the infamous Brazilian production alongside a programme of performance, learning and discussion inspired by the play’s journey, themes and guiding principles.

Supported by Creative Scotland National Lottery Funding.

Links https://www.facebook.com/JesusQueenofHeaven
Interview with Jo: https://www.scotsman.com
Press coverage of ‘Untitled 2009’ in 2009:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk
http://danimarti.com

Main Photo of Jo Clifford – by Aly Wight

22/03/2019  

Paisley 2021 UK City of Culture Bid

This was a Major Partnership Project of Renfrewshire Council. Steven Thomson, Creative Producer of Outspoken Arts Scotland was seconded to the core bid team from April 2016-May2018.

ABOUT THE BID

As Scotland’s only bidding place, Paisley rediscovered its sense of pride and transformed its reputation in the process of bidding to be UK City of Culture 2021. The competition was run by the UK Govt’s Dept. of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It resulted in a higher profile for Paisley with unprecedented levels of coverage across Scotland, UK and the world. Paisley people, affectionately known as the Buddies, gained a new belief in their town again and confidence has brought many more visitors to Paisley.

Despite losing out to Coventry, the journey to regenerate Renfrewshire through culture and heritage continues. Paisley’s bid was only ever one part of a bigger plan to change the town’s future. Major infrastructure investment will revitalise the economy and the town centre over the next decade, as a direct result of bidding process.

Core Bid Team

Paisley 2021 Partnership Board

  • Sandra Black, Chief Executive, Renfrewshire Council
  • Jean Cameron, Bid Director, Paisley 2021
  • Dr Emilia Crighton, Head of Health Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
  • Audrey Cumberford, Principal, West College Scotland, and president, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce
  • Councillor Eddie Devine (Labour)
  • Chief Supt Jim Downie, Local Police Commander for Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Division of Police Scotland
  • Councillor Neill Graham (Conservatives)
  • Ian Henderson, Chair, Paisley First Business Improvement District
  • Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes (SNP) chair, Renfrewshire Leisure
  • Prof Tom Inns, Director of Glasgow School of Art
  • Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive, Young Scot
  • Craig Mahoney, Principal, University of the West of Scotland
  • Sharon McAulay, Project Manager, STAR Project
  • Councillor Eileen McCartin (Liberal Democrats)
  • Councillor Iain Nicolson (SNP), Renfrewshire Council leader (chair)
  • Ross Nimmo, Head of Planning & Development, Glasgow Airport
  • Nick Shields, Director of Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service, Scottish Enterprise
  • David Watt, Chief Executive, Arts and Business Scotland
  • Philip Deverill – Creative Scotland

OUTPUTS

FURTHER READING

paisley2021.co.uk

https://paisley.is

twitter.com/Paisley2021

http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/paisley

11/03/2019  

Paisley Youth Arts Festival: Design Competition

PAISLEY YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL NEEDS YOU!

DESIGN COMPETITION LAUNCHED TO CREATE IDENTITY FOR THE EVENT

A design competition has been launched to create the visual style for the inaugural Paisley Youth Arts Festival (PYAF) 2019 which will take place in Paisley town centre, from 1-15th September 2019.

Targeted at young people from the age of 5 – 25, the festival will feature exciting events including: fringe theatre shows; music gigs and open mic nights; a gaming and film zone; workshops on music; art; gaming; a food offering and much more! The full programme will be launched in August 2019. 

Following on from last month’s Youth Consultation event at The Wynd, festival organisers are reaching out to young people in the local community to enter the competition.  The young designer’s artwork will be used throughout the festival and will be included in posters; brochures and merchandise. The brief is to come up with a catchy name for the festival; design of a festival logo and an A3 or A4 poster, which should be colourful and eye-catching.

Local arts organisations involved in the festival include:  Brick Lane Studios; Create Paisley; Erskine Music and Media; Loud n Proud; Outspoken Arts Scotland; PACE; Renfrewshire Leisure and University of West of Scotland (UWS).

Steven Thomson, Creative Director, Outspoken Arts Scotland, commented: “This is a great opportunity for a young designer, under the age of 25, to create the visual style for the festival they would want to see and visit. We want those who enter to take inspiration from what’s going to be in the programme and put their own creative spin on it.”

The winner will see their work on the front cover of festival brochures and posters and will receive £100 and a free festival pass, six runners up will receive a free festival pass. 

Deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 1st May 2019.  Submit your entries via email to: contact@outspokenarts.org or by post to:  Design Competition, Paisley Youth Arts Festival, c/o Outspoken Arts Scotland, Suite 33, Sir James Clark Building, Abbeymill Business Centre, Seedhill, Paisley, PA1 1TJ

For further information, contact: Lisa Watt, Outspoken Arts on either 0141 847 1122 or 07903 206615 or via email:  marketing@outspokenarts.org

12/10/2018  

Disability Resource Centre

Disability Resource Centre

 

renfrewshire.gov.uk/drc |  facebook.com/DRCentre

 

The Disability Resource Centre (DRC) is a day centre providing services for physically disabled and sensory impaired people living in Renfrewshire. We actively promote independent living through various leisure, social, educational and employment activities and services. The DRC is in a light, airy, purpose-built building, surrounded by an accessible garden, close to the centre of Paisley. We aim to be a welcoming, supportive and inclusive place, where people come to socialise and network as well as taking part in activities. We are flexible to peoples’ needs. Some people choose to come to the DRC for the whole day, while others take part in specific activities.

The centre has a range of specialist facilities including an accessible kitchen, library and club room. A hot meal is available at lunch time with snacks & drinks available throughout the day.

Some of the activities on offer include: Art, tai chi, yoga, knitting, history, computing, film making, photography, woodwork, web design, gardening, social sciences, cookery, creative writing, relaxation. We also run some activities out with the centre, including: swimming, sailing, music making and Gaelic classes.

Various disability groups and organisations use the centre for meetings and activities.

11/10/2018  

RENFREWSHIRE LEISURE

Renfrewshire Leisure

 

renfrewshireleisure.com |  twitter.com/RL4Leisure | facebook.com/RL4Leisure | instagram.com/renfrewshireleisure

 

Renfrewshire Leisure provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation, sport, cultural, social or other leisure time occupation as are beneficial to the community, for the general public in, or in connection with the Renfrewshire area and its neighbourhood in furthering the interests of social welfare.”

History:The transfer of Renfrewshire Councils indoor sports centres and swimming pools in January 2003 through the creation of Renfrewshire Leisure was the direct result of an earlier strategic study on sports provision in the local area. From the 1 July 2015 Renfrewshire Leisure took on the management of assets such as Town Halls, Libraries, Museums and Paisley Arts Centre along with Sports Development, Active Schools functions and playing fields.

Working in a collaboration with Renfrewshire Leisure to co-produce a number of different creative programmes.

11/10/2018  

QUEER TIMES 2019

Queer Times 2019

 

https://galleryofmodernart.wordpress.com/

 

queer timɘs school is an opportunity for LGBTPQI citizens – and their allies – to participate in history-making by chronicling some of the complex controversies, breakthroughs and experiences that have shaped queer Scottish life over the past 50 years. It is for those who feel that their daily experience, or a specific experience, however small it may seem, has been uncharted or unrecognised.

A programme in collaboration with Outspoken Arts Scotland and the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow.

Featuring LGBTPQIA+ artists who will present thought provoking works addressing the main themes, issues and context of the centrepiece exhibition at GOMA.

11/10/2018  

PRIDE 2019

PRIDE 2019

 

We will be taking part in a brand new and fabulous Pride 2019 in Glasgow.

Pride Glasgow is an annual lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride festival held in Glasgow, Scotland.

Pride 2019 will be a new fully inclusive event for the whole community, free to access and run by and for the community.

11/10/2018  

TH.CARS2 PROJECT

Paisley Townscape Heritage and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme 2

 

renfrewshire.gov.uk/THCars2

 

Paisley Townscape Heritage and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (Paisley TH.CARS2) is a building repair and shopfront improvement grant scheme, which aims to improve historic properties and streetscape within the TH.CARS2 area to help regeneration in Paisley. The scheme was launched on the 21st February 2017 and it will run until 2021.

Paisley TH.CARS2 is funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and Renfrewshire Council, and gives grant opportunities to property owners in a defined area of Paisley Town Centre focusing on High St, New St, Shuttle St and George Pl.

The programme also includes a number of Heritage Education, Training and Events. The activities will engage diverse audiences with the heritage and culture of Paisley, with an emphasis on learning through making, particularly around traditional building skills and textiles.

11/10/2018  

THE STAR PROJECT

THE STAR PROJECT

 

star-project.org.uk |  twitter.com/STARprojPaisley | facebook.com/STARProjectPaisley

 

The Star Project delivers a consistent and varied programme of group and individual support to community members within Renfrewshire.  Our main base is in the North End of Paisley and we also work from Glenburn Community Centre. All our work is robustly evaluated and monitored and feedback from our project users, partners and staff shape the development of everything we do.  Our strong and creative team has a passion for the work of the Project and we believe this is fundamental to our continued success.

Underpinning our work is a commitment to:Bbuilding genuine positive relationships, meeting people in their need, not just meeting their needs, working in a holistic and non-judgmental way and supporting people to see and seize opportunity.

11/10/2018  

ROAR CONNECTIONS FOR LIFE

ROAR CONNECTIONS FOR LIFE

 

roarforlife.org |  twitter.com/roarcommunities | facebook.com/1Roar

 

Roar: Connections For Life encourage self-management by reaching, understanding and supporting people to value wellbeing and social connections. They achieve this through offering a varied menu of social opportunities to laugh, learn and leave wanting more and a whole systems approach to busting the myth that falls are an inevitable part of aging through our #Stop1stFalls programme.

Roar Connections For Life has 10 clubs in 9 venues running throughout the week in Renfrewshire. Many of the clubs provide a healthy lunch at the cost of £4.00 per person (tea/coffee is extra) with a tailored health and wellbeing programme.  The clubs starts at approximately 12 noon. The clubs operate in different days and venues.

Our clubs are for older people who would benefit from a supportive social environment aimed at maximising their health and wellbeing,  people who are at risk of isolation and loneliness as well as adults who want to make better links with the community.