WHALE Arts is delighted to announce the launch of a new partnership with Dance Ihayami, supported by the Cashback for Creativity Fund through the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities programme.

Over £250,000 has been awarded to creative and cultural activities for young people across Scotland, including WHALE Arts. The fund offers a chance for young people to get involved in creative activities within their community. The Inspire: Indian Dance Project at WHALE will allow young people to participate in Indian Dance, choreography, costume and set design, and will be taking place this summer.

The funding was announced at WHALE by the Justice Secretary, Michael Matheson. We were also pleased to welcome local MSP Gordon Macdonald, Gabi from Dance Ihayami, representatives from Creative Scotland and a group of amazing young people to WHALE, to showcase our young person’s programme.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said:

“Today’s investment of £252,000 in 32 CashBack for Creativity projects underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling inequalities across Scotland by helping young people reach their full potential in life.”

“Since 2008 we have committed £92 million to CashBack and other community programmes with £6.3 million invested in CashBack for Creativity initiatives. I am keen to ensure that such opportunities continue to be provided to help young people develop skills for the workplace, gain confidence and find employment.

Leah Black, WHALE CEO said:

“The WHALE Arts team are delighted to have received funding from Cashback for Creativity for the Inspire Indian Dance Project in partnership with Dance Ihayami which will allow young people to participate in Indian dance, choreography, costume and set design and music activities at WHALE Arts Centre in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh.

“We are pleased to welcome Michael Matheson to WHALE, in partnership with Dance Ihayami, for the launch of the CashBack Open Fund, and look forward to introducing the dancers and young people involved, and discussing the wider community-led creative programme that takes place at WHALE and across Wester Hailes.”

More information can be downloaded here:

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Are you looking to try something new, meet new friends, or learn a new skill? With activities for all ages and abilities, the WHALE spring term showcases the best of the WHALE, from sewing to painting, drama to cooking, and much more.

Working with artists, trained workshop leaders, local people and our city-wide partners such as the Scottish Poetry Library, Screen Education Edinburgh and Starcatchers, among others, you have the opportunity to get involved and learn something new.

This programme covers the term from April to June 2018. Check out the activities online, or pop into the WHALE reception to pick up a printed programme.

To register for activities, or to request a large print guide please email info@whalearts.co.uk or phone 0131 458 3267.

 

 

 

 

Vacancy: Create Development Worker

Funded by the Aspiring Communities Fund, which is supported by the European Social Fund and Scottish Government, ‘Tasting Change’ is an exciting project that seeks to respond to local priorities and aspirations in order to support community development and empowerment in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh.  To achieve this, the project will develop and deliver sustainable community-led solutions that tackle deprivation levels and inequalities created by food insecurity.

Tasting Change is being delivered through the Living Well Wester Hailes partnership which includes local organisations, GPs and CEC colleagues. The partners in Tasting Change have signed a consortium agreement that lays out how they will work together across a number of integrated project strands including the Create programme which will be delivered by WHALE Arts.

Working with local people, the Tasting Change project team, and other community partners, the Create Development Worker will be responsible for the development and delivery of activities that connect people creatively with dignified food provision, skills development opportunities and their community.

The Create Development Worker will be a key member of both the WHALE Arts staff team and the multi agency Tasting Change project team.  Excellent communication and a collaborative approach will be central to the success of this innovative role which blends creative programming and community development with project management.

Main Activities and Key Responsibilities

• To ensure the views, assets and aspirations of local people underpin all aspects of the Tasting Change project.
• To manage and, at times, directly deliver a programme of creative activities to support dignified food provision in Wester Hailes – including regular sessions with partner organisations.
• Recruit and line manage artists, sessional workers and volunteers to deliver and support projects.
• Setting and controlling project budgets in line with WHALE Arts’ finance systems.
• Develop and manage a range of volunteer opportunities within the ‘Create’ strand of the Tasting Change project.
• To work as part of a multi-agency project team, including participation in regular steering group meetings.
• Create partnership opportunities with local community organisations, public bodies, creative and cultural partners.
• Plan, coordinate and deliver community events – including community meals.
• Utilise and develop volunteering policies, procedures and databases.
• Monitor and evaluate participation using central WHALE Arts’ systems and participative methods, in line with funding requirements.
• Ensure a legacy of best practice and sustained community participation.
• Monitor and evaluate performance of the Create programme towards target outputs and outcomes.
• Support the Tasting Change Coordinator to ensure all project funding requirements are met, reports buy ambien next day delivery completed and effective communication maintained with funders.

Other Duties

• To be a key holder, opening and securing the building out of office hours where required.
• All WHALE staff help to provide occasional reception cover duties.
• To support the development of the WHALE Arts Agency programme, systems, policies and procedures.
• To comply with relevant WHALE Arts Agency policies.
• To undertake any relevant training in relation to the post.

Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may, from time-to-time, be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Recruitment Details

Essential skills 

• Educated to degree level in a creative arts, food science or related discipline.

Minimum 3 years experience in:

• Conceiving and delivering community arts projects as a creative practitioner.
• Managing the development and delivery of creative projects and programmes.
• Successful partnership working with a range of stakeholders.
• Project management including managing budgets, monitoring and evaluation, recruitment and management of staff and volunteers.
• Community engagement and community event management.
• Supporting volunteers in creative or community settings.
• A commitment to and understanding of the importance of community-led development.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to work without supervision and as part of a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Skills

• Experience of community food provision
• Understanding of nutrition
• Experience of working in a multi-agency project team
• Knowledge of Wester Hailes community, local organisations and services.

Application Process
Apply in writing or by email to info@whalearts.co.uk, enclosing/attaching

• An up to date CV detailing relevant education and employment experience.
• A covering letter demonstrating how your skills meet the Essential and Desirable Skills criteria of the job description.
• Details of two referees, including at least one previous employer.

Applications should arrive at WHALE Arts Agency no later than 12:00 (midday) on Monday 23rd April. Late applications will not be considered.

Interviews will be held Monday 30^th April.

The successful candidate will be appointed to the role subject to confirmation of PVG Scheme Membership.

Equal Opportunities Monitoring:
WHALE Arts Agency is committed to recruiting high quality candidates whose skills and experience are most suited to the job regardless of sex, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion (or beliefs), marital status, sexual orientation (or perceived sexual orientation), disability, age or political affiliation.

Please complete the Equal Opportunities form enclosed with the application pack. This information is for monitoring purposes only, will be treated as confidential and will not be used in the selection process.

Contact Details:

Leah Black (CEO)
WHALE Arts Agency
30 Westburn Grove
Edinburgh
EH14 2SA

0131 458 3267

info@whalearts.co.uk

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Check out our Easter programme, bursting with fun and creative activities for kids during the Easter holidays

We have lots of fun, free and creative activities at WHALE to keep kids busy this Easter holiday. From slime to puppets, drama and trips away, we’re looking forward to a busy programme with partners including the Puppet Animation Festival, Starcatchers and Tasting Change.

Monday 2 April
Slime Party
When: 10 – 11 am
Where: Arts Workshop
Who: 5+
FYI: Free | Drop-in
Get gloopy and make your own slidey, slippy, gooey slime with Poppy’s top secret recipe.

PAF18: Conan and the Dragon
When: 2 – 2.45 pm
Where: Performance Space
Who: 4+
FYI: £2/£4/£12 | Tickets available via Eventbrite or WHALE reception
A mystical Scottish tale about a young hero called Conan, who against all odds manages to banish and defeat a dragon from his village. With handcrafted puppets and an original score.

Tuesday 3 April
Soup-er Soup
When: 11.30 – 12.30 pm
Where: Performance Space
Who: 5-10
FYI: Free | Book at WHALE reception
We’re playing with our food, using vegetables to print and design the essential chef’s apron, before learning the most useful skill in the world, how to make soup! Warming, filling and *cough* healthy, Julie of Tasting Change brilliance will set you up with the cooking basics to make (and then eat) a delicious bowl of soup.

Wednesday 4 April
Join the Circus
When: 10 — 11am | 11 — 12pm
Where: Performance Space
Who: First session 5-10 y.o. , second 10+
FYI: Free | Booking required via WHALE reception
Run away and join the WHALE Circus, but first you’ll need to learn how to balance, clown and juggle! Led by Aviatricks, this workshop will let you have a go at being a circus performer.

Playground Project
When: 1 — 4pm
Where: Arts Workshop
Who: Families
FYI: Free | Booking required via WHALE reception | Children must be accompanied by an adult
Join WHALE Arts and With Kids for a creative play-based session to develop and design a community park in Hailesland and Murrayburn community. Help us paint the Little Free Library, build an imaginary playscape and design a play themed window display for WHALE.

Thursday 5 April
Creative Storytelling
When: 1 — 3pm
Where: Arts Workshop
Who: 5-10
FYI: Free | Drop-in
We’re telling lots of tall tales in this special story-telling session with Michael and Isabel from Street Arts.

Friday 6 April
PAF18: Sensory Storytelling Workshop
When: 10 — 11am
Where: Performance Space
Who: 2-18 with disabilities or complex needs and their families or carers
FYI: £2 | Book at WHALE reception or via Eventbrite | Participants must be accompanied by an adult
Experience the amazing world of multi-sensory theatre. Making use of sounds, smells, light and temperature, to tell stories without using any text at all.

Saturday 7 April
PAF18: Pop-up Animation Workshop (Fully booked with waitlist)
When: 10am— 12pm
Where: Arts Workshop
Who: 6-12
FYI: £2 | Book at WHALE reception or via Eventbrite | Participants must be accompanied by an adult
The Zoom Club is back with another awesome animation adventure workshop! Use animation, graffiti, stop-motion and photography to bring wiggly worms, slithery snakes and sea-serpents to life.

Tuesday 10 April
Easter Egg Hunt & Crafts
When: 10 — 12pm
Where: Performance Space
Who: 5+
FYI: Free | Drop-in
Sometimes you just can’t beat the classics and our favourite Easter activity, the magnificent Easter Egg Hunt is back with a bang from 1 – 3pm thanks to Street Arts! From 10 – 12pm we’ll also be having some ‘Egg-cellent’ crafty fun.

Wednesday 11 April
Trip to Jupiter Artland (Fully booked with waitlist)
When: 9 — 5pm
Where: Jupiter Artland (Meet at WHALE)
Who: 5-10
FYI: Free | Booking required via WHALE reception
Have you ever seen a room full of trees or a field full of jingling bells? Come on a trip to Jupiter Artland and learn about these artworks and more.

Thursday 12 April
Legs 11
When: 2 — 3pm
Where: Performance Space
Who: 5+
FYI: £2 / £4 / £12 | Booking required via WHALE reception or Eventbrite
Have you ever been for a stroll and wondered how the countryside looked long ago? Join Emma and the Magpie on a journey from coastal clifftops to surreal urban sprawl in this highly visual, interactive puppet show.

Soundplay Dome
When: 10.30 — 12pm | 2 — 3.30pm
Where: Arts Workshop
Who: First session: Expecting Something taster session- parents  | Second session: Young people with disabilities / complex needs and their families
FYI: Free | Booking required via WHALE reception.
Explore sound and light in a magical sensory space – the Soundplay Dome is coming to Whale Arts for one day only. Creating a soothing musical landscape from objects and tactile materials, the Soundplay Dome works as an instrument that can be played in accessible and surprising ways. By stroking ribbons, rolling objects, drumming, moving and singing, the dome gives you a chance to experiment with music and sound in a creative and adventurous way

Friday 13 April
Drama and Improv.
When: 10am — 12pm
Where: Arts Workshop
Who: 5-10
FYI: Free | Booking required via WHALE reception.
Spontaneous and active drama session, with Isabel from Street Arts. Work together to act, sing and shout in response to funny prompts.

Digi Maker
When: 1 — 3pm
Where: Performance Space
Who: 9+
FYI: Free | Booking required via WHALE reception
Creative and fun digital coding workshop with Edinburgh Napier University. Learn to use innovative technology, the Bare Conductive Touchboard and help build our interactive map of your community.

Sunday 15 April
Trip to Mini Maker Faire
When: 10am — 5pm
Where: Summerhall (meet at WHALE)
Who: 9+
FYI: Free | Booking required via WHALE reception | No attendance without consent form
A trip to the Mini Maker Faire, part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival. A gathering of makers and creators inviting you to play and create at their fun, interactive stalls.