Last week a group of invited creative practitioners met for the first time to explore the opportunities offered through the new Combine to Create programme.
Drawn from a range of disciplines, the invited creative practitioners met at the James Milne Institute in Findhorn village to discuss the programme’s long-term residencies in and with communities of identity and place in Moray.
The residencies are being offered to a specific group of targeted creative practitioners as part of our commitment to continue to nurture, develop and sustain meaningful relationships with experienced talent during the pandemic and over the longer term.
Supported by Creative Scotland through the Culture Collective Fund, the collaboration through Combine to Create will inform and shape Findhorn Bay Arts future development, exploring how we nurture and work with Creative Practitioners and communities to make creative things happen.
As a programme, Combine to Create is all about conversation, collaboration and community – and with this first meeting at the James Milne Institute, it got off to a hugely positive start.
Taking care to adhere to Government guidance on Covid-19, our invited creative practitioners connected through conversations and collaborative activities throughout the day-long workshop.
Creative practitioners Jo Hodges and Robbie Coleman facilitated with generosity and sensitivity, allowing space and time to devise a shared set of values at what was for many a first gathering since the easing of restrictions.
Covid-19 gives physical and contextual shape to the Combine to Create programme. At this first gathering the creative practitioners worked together throughout the day on key building blocks, such as exploring their role in working with communities, considering assets, needs, support and resources. Throughout the day a Combine to Create collective identity emerged.
In the spirit of collaboration, several creative practitioners directly contributed to the workshop, including Ruby Worth and Rachael Macintyre, who invited participants to move together at several points throughout the day, keeping energy levels high and participants engaged.
Facilitators and participants were supported by Kresanna Aigner, Creative Director at Findhorn Bay Arts, and Elidh Brown, Combine to Create Programme Coordinator, who contributed to the discussions as participants.
And midway through the day everyone enjoyed lunch beside Findhorn Bay in the bright sunshine – even the weather contributed to the spirit of collaboration and openness.
In addition to invitations to participate, Combine to Create will also include open call opportunities – still in development – due to be announced later in the year. These are currently envisaged as one long-term film/photography residency and several short term residencies with community hubs throughout Moray.
Keep an eye on our newsletter and social media for more information – and don’t forget to follow the #CombineToCreate hashtag on social media.
