Whale Arts Agency

Wester Hailes Arts for Leisure and Education

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
0131 458 3267
  • Home
  • What’s On
    • Our Programme
    • News
    • VHS Archive
  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • The Team
    • Board
    • Publications
    • How we use your data
  • Get Involved
    • Participate
    • Partners
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Vacancies
  • Venue Hire
    • Bookable Rooms and Meeting Spaces
    • WHALE Arts Garden
  • Membership
  • Contact
  • Pod Press
  • Hubs Network
    • The Creative Community Hubs Charter 
    • MAKE SPACE
  • Local Cinema

Press Release: WHALE Arts commission featuring local children long-listed for the Scottish Portrait Awards

01/08/2018 By Whale Arts

Artwork by Leanne Blair commissioned by WHALE Arts as part of 2017-2018 Heritage Lottery project Wester Hailes: Your Story, Our Story has been long-listed for the Scottish Portrait Awards.

Today the long-list of 60 finalists, 30 fine artists and 30 photographers, has been selected for the Scottish Portrait Awards Exhibition in November 2018, at the Scottish Arts Club in Edinburgh.

Leanne’s artwork was produced after a series of workshops with young people exploring photography and portraiture at WHALE Arts and incorporates imagery from Prospect Community Housing’s archive of The Sentinel newspaper, in addition to written text by the children involved.

Leanne Blair says:

“This series was inspired by the young people of Wester Hailes; celebrating their diverse cultural heritage and sense of place within the community today. Acrylic and watercolour paint is used in an expressive way on top of the photographic images to illustrate the vibrancy of Wester Hailes and the children’s experiences. Key pieces of text have been recreated from the young people’s written responses with pencil and Letraset.”

Meghan Bidwell, Arts Engagement Manager (Adults), WHALE Arts says:

“I am delighted Leanne’s triptych has been selected for the second annual Scottish Portrait Awards long-list. We are looking forward to the exhibition, which will be an incredible opportunity for the young people involved to see their portraits exhibited at Scottish Arts Club. Thank you to the Heritage Lottery and National Lottery players for supporting this commission.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About WHALE Arts

Since being set up by local people in 1992 WHALE Arts has firmly established itself as the cultural anchor organisation for Wester Hailes. As a community-led arts charity and social enterprise, WHALE Arts’ mission is to be the creative heart of a vibrant, thriving community.

WHALE acts as a conduit between our community and creative opportunities through the direct delivery of projects, programmes and events and by connecting our community with city and national cultural partners. We are based in the purpose built WHALE Arts Centre – ‘The WHALE’ – a unique community asset that provides a range of high quality creative spaces including an Arts Workshop, Performance Space, Darkroom and Digital Media facilities for our community.

For full details on the WHALE Arts programme, see the website at www.whalearts.co.uk

About the Scottish Portrait Awards

The winners of the Scottish Portrait Awards, the commendations and the winners of the youth awards will be announced at the Scottish Portrait Awards Presentation on Wednesday 31 October 2018.

The Scottish Portrait Awards Exhibition at the Scottish Arts Club in Edinburgh will be open to the public from 11am to 5pm from Saturday 3 November to Saturday 1 December 2018.

The awards are run by the Scottish Arts Club Charitable Trust.

Media information

  • For enquiries or interviews please contact Meghan Bidwell on Meghan@whalearts.co.uk or call 0131 458 3267.

Filed Under: News

Fringe Voucher Giveaway!

31/07/2018 By Whale Arts

We are very excited to be partnering with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to offer two of our lucky followers on Instagram £24 of vouchers + 2 Lothian Buses adult day tickets each to visit a show of their choice in the Fringe 2018.

To enter the draw you must be over 18 and able to collect your tickets from the WHALE Arts reception before Friday 10 August, 5pm:

  1. Follow WHALE Arts on Instagram or Facebook
  2. Comment on the above image by tagging a friend or family member you would take with you to visit the Fringe
  3. Your friend must then follow WHALE Arts on Instagram or Facebook too!
  4. That’s it!

We will enter all participants into a random draw on Monday 6th August at 12 noon and will DM the lucky winners by end of day Tuesday 7th August.

Terms and conditions apply, please see here. By participating in the campaign / commenting on the image above on WHALE Arts Instagram or Facebook, you accept the terms and conditions.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: News

Fringe Voucher Giveaway Terms and Conditions

31/07/2018 By Whale Arts

Fringe Voucher Giveaway Terms and Conditions

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

1. Eligibility: This Campaign is open only to those who sign up via WHALE Arts Agency Instagram (@WHALE__Arts) or WHALE Arts Agency Facebook (@WHALEArtsAgency) and who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry. The Campaign is only open to legal residents of Scotland, and is void where prohibited by law. Employees of WHALE Arts Agency, its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and suppliers, (collectively the “Employees”), and immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of Employees are not eligible to participate in the Campaign. The Campaign is subject to all applicable national, and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.

2. Agreement to Rules: By participating, the Contestant (“You”) agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these Rules, and You represent and warrant that You meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, You agree to accept the decisions of WHALE Arts Agency as final and binding as it relates to the content of this Campaign.

3. Campaign Period: Entries will be accepted online starting on 31/07/2018, 14:00 BST and ending 06/08/2018, 12:00 BST. All online entries must be received by  06/08/2018, 12:00 BST.

4. How to Enter: The Campaign must be entered by commenting on the campaign image on Instagram (@WHALE__Arts) or Facebook (@WHALEArtsAgency), tagging a friend and the friend following WHALE Arts on Instagram (@WHALE__Arts) or Facebook (@WHALEArtsAgency) as applicable. The entry must fulfill all Campaign requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win a prize. Entries that are incomplete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of WHALE Arts Agency.  You may enter only once. You must provide the information requested. You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities, or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If You use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules, your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of WHALE Arts Agency.

5. Prizes: The Winner(s) of the Campaign (the “Winner”) will receive 2 x vouchers for Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a total use value of £24 + 2 x Adult Day tickets for Lothian Buses. Winner(s) are bound by the conditions and terms of use for both the Fringe vouchers and the  Day Tickets. Actual/appraised value may differ at time of prize award. The specifics of the prize shall be solely determined by WHALE Arts Agency. No cash or other prize substitution shall be permitted. The prize is nontransferable. Any and all prize-related expenses, including without limitation any and all national and/or local taxes, shall be the sole responsibility of Winner. No substitution of prize or transfer/assignment of prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by Winner is permitted. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for WHALE Arts Agency to use Winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.

6. Odds: The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

7. Winner Selection and Notification: Winner will be selected by a random drawing  under the supervision of WHALE Arts Agency. Winner will be notified by Instagram or Facebook DM within five (5) days following selection of Winner. WHALE Arts Agency shall have no liability for Winner’s failure to receive notices due to spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for Winner’s provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If Winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within 2 days from the time award notification was sent, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected. Receipt by Winner of the prize offered in this Campaign is conditioned upon compliance with any and all national and local laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY WINNER (AT WHALE ARTS AGENCY‘S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE CAMPAIGN, AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.

8. Rights Granted by You: By entering this content (e.g., photo, video, text, etc.), You understand and agree that WHALE Arts Agency, anyone acting on behalf of WHALE Arts Agency, and WHALE Art Agency’s licensees, successors, and assigns, shall have the right, where generic ativan photos permitted by law, to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use in any media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity and throughout the World, without limitation, your entry, name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image, statements about the Campaign, and biographical information for news, publicity, information, trade, advertising, public relations, and promotional purposes. without any further compensation, notice, review, or consent.

9. Terms & Conditions: WHALE Arts Agency reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Campaign should virus, bug, non-authorized human intervention, fraud, or other cause beyond WHALE Arts Agency ’s control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, or proper conduct of the Campaign. In such case,WHALE Arts Agency may select the Winner from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by WHALE Arts Agency. WHALE Arts Agency reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Campaign or website or violates these Terms & Conditions. WHALE Arts Agency has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Campaign, to void votes for any reason, including, but not limited to: multiple entries from the same user from different IP addresses; multiple entries from the same computer in excess of that allowed by Campaign rules; or the use of bots, macros, scripts, or other technical means for entering. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Campaign may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such attempt be made, WHALE Arts Agency reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.

10. Limitation of Liability: By entering, You agree to release and hold harmless WHALE Arts Agency and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers, and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim, or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from: (i) such entrant’s participation in the Campaign and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize or any portion thereof; (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunction of any computer, cable, network, hardware, or software, or other mechanical equipment; (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions, telephone, or Internet service; (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Promotion; (v) electronic or human error in the administration of the Promotion or the processing of entries.

11. Disputes: THIS Campaign IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF the United Kingdom AND Scotland, WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW DOCTRINES. As a condition of participating in this Campaign, participant agrees that any and all disputes that cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Campaign, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court located in Scotland having jurisdiction. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances shall participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to, punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, including reasonable attorney’s fees, other than participant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. costs associated with entering this Campaign). Participant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.

12. Privacy Policy: Information submitted with an entry is subject to the Privacy Policy stated on the WHALE Arts Agency website. To read the Privacy Policy click here.

13. Winners List: To obtain a copy of the Winner’s name or a copy of these Official Rules, mail your request along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: WHALE Arts Agency, 30 Westburn Grove, Edinburgh. EH14 2SA. Requests must be received no later than 08/08/2018, 12:00 BST.

14. Sponsor: The Sponsor of the Campaign is WHALE Arts Agency.

15. Instagram: The Campaign hosted by WHALE Arts Agency is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.
Facebook: The Campaign hosted by WHALE Arts Agency is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook.

16. By participating in the Campaign, You, the Contestant, have affirmatively reviewed, accepted, and agreed to all of the Official Rules.

Filed Under: News

Press Release: New Scottish Chamber Orchestra project for adults at WHALE Arts

27/07/2018 By Whale Arts

Music and visuals SCO

PRESS RELEASE: New Scottish Chamber Orchestra project for adults taking place at WHALE Arts as part of three year Wester Hailes residency

24 July 2018

WHALE Arts and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra are delighted to share a new integration project, Music and Visuals, for adults living in Wester Hailes. The project will use music workshop practices as tools to create a space where participants can create their own audio or visual materials that articulate their own experiences in the locality.

The project will begin 6 August with two full days of workshops and continue with two hour sessions for the following five weeks at the WHALE Arts. Workshops will be led by Emma Smith and supported by composer Suzanne Parry, and materials created during the project will feature in an audio visual installation at WHALE Arts later in the year.

This project is part of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s three year Wester Hailes Community Residency programme, running from October 2017 to summer 2020. Local children, young people and adults join SCO musicians to create, perform, record and enjoy music at creative music workshops and performances in Wester Hailes and Edinburgh city centre.

Kirsteen Davidson Kelly, SCO Connect Director, says:
“After an amazing year of creative activity with children and young people in Wester Hailes, we are excited to meet and work with adults from the community. The workshops will be led by Emma Smith, an innovative musician who works with Musicians Without Borders and is part of the SCO team visiting Wester Hailes Education Centre, and Suzanne Parry, a composer who recently worked with us on a project for the Borders Heritage Festival in the Scottish Borders, in which local children explored the local environment. Emma and Suzanne will work with participants to design, create and curate their own work, and to make the Music and Visuals project their own.”

Meghan Bidwell, Arts Engagement Manager (Adults), WHALE Arts says:
“Following the success of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Family Days at WHALE Arts, we are pleased to partner with SCO for a new project offering co-created opportunities for adults living in Wester Hailes. The culmination of the Music and Visuals project will be an installation buy ativan with paypal which will demonstrate the quality and strength of community art.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About WHALE Arts

Since being set up by local people in 1992 WHALE Arts has firmly established itself as the cultural anchor organisation for Wester Hailes. As a community-led arts charity and social enterprise, WHALE Arts’ mission is to be the creative heart of a vibrant, thriving community.

WHALE acts as a conduit between our community and creative opportunities through the direct delivery of projects, programmes and events and by connecting our community with city and national cultural partners. We are based in the purpose built WHALE Arts Centre – ‘The WHALE’ – a unique community asset that provides a range of high quality creative spaces including an Arts Workshop, Performance Space, Darkroom and Digital Media facilities for our community.

For full details on the WHALE Arts programme, see the website at www.whalearts.co.uk

 

About the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

The world-renowned Scottish Chamber Orchestra is made up of a unique collection of talented musicians who inspire and connect with people of all ages. The SCO aims to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to hear their music by touring the length and breadth of Scotland and around the world as proud ambassadors for Scottish cultural excellence.

The SCO makes a significant contribution to Scottish life both on the concert platform and beyond, working in schools, universities, hospitals, care homes, places of work and community centres through the SCO Connect creative learning programme. The orchestra receives funding from the Scottish Government as one of Scotland’s five National Performing Arts Companies and is based in Edinburgh.

The SCO Connect project was launched at WHALE Arts on 21 October 2017, bringing whale-themed musical fun. The programme has included workshops in nurseries, primary schools and at Wester Hailes Education Centre as well as family events such as a WHALE Family Day and Big Ears, Little Ears. A short film about the project can be viewed here.

 

Media information

  • To learn more about SCO projects and performances in Wester Hailes, please contact Joanna Burns on 0131 478 8342 or joanna.burns@sco.org.uk. 

To learn more about the Music and Visuals project at WHALE Arts, please contact 0131 458 3267 or info@whalearts.co.uk.

Filed Under: News

Opportunity to join the Wee Night Out team

19/07/2018 By Whale Arts

We’re looking for 12 young people in S1 to S3, from Wester Hailes, Pilton/Muirhouse and Craigmillar to join the Wee Night Out team!

If you’re aged 11-14 and are interested in theatre or dance this is for you! Visit the Fringe in August 2018 and the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival in May 2019 for free, review shows, make recommendations, and pick one award winner. Lunch, transport and show tickets will be provided.

Dates: 6-8, 11-12 August 2018 and 25 May – 2 June 2019

If you’re interested contact:

Pilton/Muirhouse: Kate C at North Edinburgh Arts, managerkc@northedinburgharts.co.uk / 0131 315 2151

Wester Hailes: Helena at WHALE Arts, helena@whalearts.co.uk / 0131 458 3267

Craigmillar: Tony at Lyra, lyra@lyra.co.uk / 0131 659 4725

Filed Under: News

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • …
  • 23
  • Next Page »

WHALE Arts is …

... the cultural anchor organisation for Wester Hailes. We are a community-led arts charity and social enterprise, set up by local people in 1992. Our mission is to be the creative heart of a vibrant, thriving community.

WHALE Arts

30 Westburn Grove,
Edinburgh,
EH14 2SA
0131 458 3267
info@whalearts.co.uk

Latest News

WHALE Arts to become one of Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Funded Organisations 

WHALE Arts has been successful in its application to Creative Scotland for Multi-Year Funding for 2025-28. We will be joining the MYF Portfolio for the first time, which this time has seen 251 organisations across the country awarded funding. WHALE Arts CEO Kate Griffin said: Congratulations to our partners who also received funding! Starcatchers, Sistema […]

More News

Keep in touch

Living Wage Logo Future Arts Centres Logo

WHALE Arts Agency is a company limited by guarantee (SC180118) with charitable status (SC020305). Copyright © 2025