£30k award for community arts project

HIE has awarded £30,000 to help cover the cost of framing 57 panels that will form one of the largest single community arts projects ever undertaken in the region.

The Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands exhibition has been created by communities across the region as part of the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands Project.

Thirty-two of the panels will be included in the first exhibition at Inverness Castle when it opens as a visitor attraction in 2025.

James Turner, head of strengthening communities with HIE’s Inner Moray Firth team, said:

“The Spirit of the Highlands and Islands tapestry is an arts and culture asset for communities across the Highlands and Islands’ who have contributed significant time to creating it. As such it is in keeping with our community and economic objectives for the region.

“Having the tapestry framed will protect and preserve it and extend its lifespan. It could also open up opportunities for it to be displayed in other locations, for example in national galleries or exhibitions. I’m very pleased we’ve been able to provide this assistance and look forward to continuing our close association with the project.”

The Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project forms part of the Inverness Castle project, implemented under the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

Caption: (left to right) Sue Gardiner, Sutherland stitcher and Dornoch Fibre Fest co-ordinator, Alistair Dodds chair of HIE, Cllr Ian Brown leader of Inverness City and Area, Stuart Black chief executive of HIE, Janet Thom Oban stitcher.

For more information see Inverness Castle Experience website