Press information: for immediate release

							Press information for immediate release: Monday 21st May, 2012


   NAME SELECTED FOR SCOTLAND’S BRAND NEW NATIONAL FESTIVAL
            CELEBRATING ARTS, CREATIVITY AND AGEING

ORGANISATIONS, GROUPS AND ARTISTS URGED TO APPLY TO TAKE PART

Creative Scotland, the Baring Foundation and Age Scotland are delighted to announce
that ‘Luminate’ has been selected as the name for Scotland’s brand new national
festival that will celebrate arts, creativity and ageing.

Taking place in October 2012 the festival will showcase the arts, creativity and ageing in
a diverse and large-scale celebration of older artists, performers and participants across
the generations.

The festival is part of Creative Scotland’s drive to increase the numbers of older people
enjoying high quality arts activities, whether as artists, performers, participants or
consumers, as research has shown that older people are less likely than other groups to
take part in cultural activities.

‘Luminate’ was chosen from over twenty names suggested by the general public and
creative and care industry insiders following a call for submissions made by newly
appointed Festival Director, Anne Gallacher at the beginning of April.

At the time, Gallacher said: "As this festival is new, we’re looking for an inspirational
name for it and wanted to ask the public to contribute with their ideas. This festival is all
about the people of Scotland enjoying opportunities to be more creative as a natural
part of ageing, so it's important to ask them for their input.”

After careful consideration by representatives of the three Festival partners, Creative
Scotland, the Baring Foundation and AgeScotland, Gallacher is delighted to announce
the name saying: “Luminate clearly expresses a sense of light and energy and reflects the
feeling of optimism and anticipation that we are looking to achieve in our Festival
programming.”
In July, Gallacher will announce programme highlights, followed by full programme
details in September. For updates, visit: www.creativescotland.com

In the meantime, she explains more about programming the first festival of its kind in
Scotland: “The programme for Luminate is taking shape, and I am looking forward to an
exciting month of events and activities across Scotland this October.
“Luminate will feature a wide range of projects aimed at older people as participants or
audience members, activities that bring the generations together, work by older
professional artists, creative activities with people being cared for in residential homes
and in their local community, and work which explores what it means to all of us that
society is ageing.”

Gallacher goes on to describe how organisations and groups can apply to take part:
“We want as many people as possible to take part, and I would like to invite any
organisations, groups and artists who would like their work to be featured in the festival
to apply for inclusion in our brochure. Details of how to apply will be available on the
Creative Scotland website shortly, or you can register your interest by emailing
luminate@agescotland.org.uk”

Iain Munro, Director of Creative Development at Creative Scotland, said; “Luminate is
a fantastic name for this exciting new addition to Scotland’s festival calendar – it will
bring a spotlight directly on to our amazing range of artists and onto the benefit that a
rich creative life can bring, whether you’re aged 9 – or 90!”

Learning from existing festival models including Bealtaine in Ireland and Gwanwyn in
Wales, Luminate will bring social, economic and health benefits to older people and the
wider community, and will encourage intergenerational connections.

Katie Docherty of Age Scotland, said: “We believe this to be a positive development that
in the longer term will have a major impact on Scotland’s older population and their
involvement in and appreciation of the arts.
“In the recent past the emphasis appears to have been mainly on the younger artist,
perhaps contributing to a bit of a cultural vacuum as far as older artists and those in
later life who appreciate and enjoy the arts are concerned.
“We are confident that this festival will address concerns in this regard and result in
improved intergenerational co-operation to the benefit of all of Scotland’s communities.”

LISTINGS:
What: Luminate: Scotland’s creative ageing festival
When: throughout October 2012
Where: venues across Scotland
Further information and updates: www.creativescotland.com
For further press information or images please contact:
Wendy Grannon T: +44 (0) 07916 137 632 E: wendy@wendygrannon.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1.Luminate: Scotland’s creative ageing festival is an initiative of Creative Scotland and
The Baring Foundation and is being developed and delivered in partnership with Age
Scotland. The inaugural festival will take place throughout Scotland during October
2012. Details of how to apply will be available on the Creative Scotland website shortly.
In the meantime, individuals and organisations can register interest by emailing
luminate@agescotland.org.uk For updates and further information:
www.creativescotland.com
2.Creative Scotland is the national development agency for the arts, screen and creative
industries. Our vision is that Scotland will be recognised as one of the world’s most
creative nations – one that attracts, develops and retains talent, where the arts and the
creative industries are supported and celebrated and their economic contribution fully
captured; a nation where the arts and creativity play a central part in the lives,
education and well-being of our population
The Year of Creative Scotland began on January 1, 2012 and is a chance to showcase,
celebrate and promote Scotland’s cultural and creative strengths. Through a dynamic
and exciting year-long programme of activity celebrating our world-class events,
festivals, culture and heritage, the year puts Scotland’s culture and creativity in the
international spotlight with a focus on cultural tourism and developing the events
industry and creative sector in Scotland. More information about the programme can be
found at: www.visitscotland.com/creative The Year of Creative Scotland is a Scottish
Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland, Creative
Scotland and VOCAL.
Creative Scotland has created a programme that shows Scotland’s creativity at its best:
contemporary, international and reflecting the joy that a vibrant cultural life brings to
our communities. More details can be found here:
http://www.creativescotland.com/investment/investment-programmes/national-
events-201214
3.The Baring Foundation is a London-based independent funder. Founded in 1969, it
has given over £100 million since then to support the voluntary sector to tackle
discrimination and disadvantage. In 2010, the Foundation launched a 5 year, £3 million
UK-wide fund for arts by older people, following on the publication of a survey of the
field, Ageing Artfully. So far 44 arts organisations have been funded from the Isle of
Lewis to Cornwall, along with a series of strategic interventions of which, Luminate, is
the most significant.
4.Age Scotland has a positive, forward looking vision for our ageing society. The Charity
works for a better later life for all of us - today and tomorrow, listening to older people
in order to understand what they need to transform their lives for the better,
challenging disadvantage and unfairness.
Age Scotland values older people and believes they have the power to change their lives
for the better. Community by community, life by life, the Charity is working towards a
Scotland where older people are valued and respected for who they are.