Claire Baker MSP (left) with Kate Grenyer, Director of Fife Contemporary (right) and artist Sebastian Chaloner (centre), who created the artworks for the Trail of Thought.

MSPs visit SCAN member venues for #ArtUnlocks

SCAN members across Scotland are hosting MSPs at galleries, studios, and even an outdoor art trail, showing them the difference contemporary art makes to communities.

MSPs have heard how art can help young people with their wellbeing, bring character back to rural town centres, keep traditional crafts alive, and much more.

The Encampment of Eternal Hope, a project by artists Walker and Bromwich for COP26, Glasgow 2021

Energy bills: impact on artists and venues

At SCAN we know that lots of artists and arts organisations are really concerned about the cost of living crisis and hikes in energy costs. As we approach winter we know many of you will be concerned about price rises. We're collecting evidence from our members about rising bills and talking to colleagues across the cultural sector. SCAN works with members to raise the issues that they care about.

Hanna Tuulikki and Tommy Perman at Hospitalfield. Photo Laurence Winram. Makeup, SFX MV Brown.

“I want to create a space of connection, whether that be with humans on the dance floor or the bats that have helped to create the music."

We spoke to artist Hanna Tuulikki about her upcoming silent bat rave at Hospitalfield, September 8-10. For Echo in the Dark, visitors will be able to dance to tracks created with bat sonar in a silent rave in the paddock behind Hospitalfield, a beautiful arts residency space in Arbroath.

Manuel Solano, Orondo, 2018. Copyright the artist.

Here are some highlights from the SCAN community:

When Bodies Whisper is a new group exhibition at Timespan in Helmsdale that explores "the Highlands and the power of Gossip and storytelling as vital tools to share knowledge and subvert existing histories of power." Featuring work by Anika Ahuja, Camera Taylor, Hanna Tuulikki, Natsumi Sakamoto, and Sekai Machache, it continues until March 26 2023.

Mexican artist Manuel Solano's work was transformed in 2014 when they lost their eyesight due to an HIV-related illness. The Top of Each Ripple, which opens at Dundee Contemporary Arts on August 27, shows the tactile mapping technique that they now use to create their paintings, using fingertips to apply acrylics with a team of assistants. 

The Resilience Programme is a series of pop-up events and exhibitions at Glasgow's French Street Gallery, September 2-25. Conceived by newly-minted SCAN member Cabbage, the programme is the culmination of six months of activity supporting marginalised artists and curators and encourages processes of slow conversation and creation for artists and curators. 

After a two-year pause, Aberdeen Art Fair returns on September 2-4. Expect to find a great range of contemporary art with original paintings, sculpture, prints, photography, and furniture for sale. Prices range from £50 to £20,000. 

The Common Guild present May amnesia never kiss us on the mouth from New York and Ramallah-based artists Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme. The artists use their personal archive of found video clips and ephemeral recorded footage of the Arab Revolutions, collected from 2010 onwards. The exhibition opens at 5 Florence Street, Glasgow on September 9.

Installation view Feeling Her Way by Sonia Boyce at the British Pavilion as part of the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, in Venice, Italy. Photo Cristiano Corte c. British Council

Jobs 
South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Ltd: Arts Tutor, deadline August 21
Culture Perth & Kinross Limited: Soutar Festival Producer, deadline August 23
Ecas: Crafts Group Leader, deadline August 25 
&Gallery: Gallery Assistant, deadline August 26 
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop: Learning Assistant (Traineeship), deadline August 28
Willow Tea Rooms Trust: Development Manager, deadline August 28
Peacock: Community Printmaking Coordinator, deadline August 29
Creative Dundee: Digital Producer, deadline August 30 
Scottish Arts Club: Communications Coordinator, deadline August 31
Dovecot Studios: Marketing and Communications Manager, deadline August 31
Bothy Project: Admin & Marketing Coordinator, deadline September 4 

Opps
ProjectAbility, Artist Residency, deadline August 19
BUZZCUT Festival: artists open call, deadline August 19
Society of Scottish Artists: SSA 130 Years open call, deadline August 21
Glasgow City Council: River Activation Programme funding, deadline August 26
Cove Park, Visual Artist Residency, artists aged 50 or over, deadline August 29.
Society of Scottish Artists: Cutlog moving image artists open call, deadline September 2
British Council: Call for early to mid-career curators for Venice delegation, deadline September 11
RIG Arts: Bank of Event Artists, deadline September 30 
Dance Base Scotland: Artist Residency Programme | Call Out, deadline October 5 
The Museum of Loss and Renewal, Taking Time Residencies, rolling deadline up to October 16
Creative Scotland: Cultural Bridge, deadline October 26 
Boynes Emerging Artist Award: Open Call, Fully Funded Residency & Exhibition '23, deadline October 30