The People’s Parish aims to:
Scotland’s traditional arts scene cannot be underestimated in its variety and vibrancy.
But it’s vitally important that we don’t become complacent in assuming it will be transferred automatically to the next generation.
The oral tradition and intergenerational passing on of songs and stories are in decline in our ever-increasing digital world.
However, this presents new opportunities to engage larger audiences with traditional arts through digital mediums for future generations.
This was question which sparked the Gifting Every Child project, curated by storyteller Bea Ferguson, singer Christina Stewart and dancer Mats Melin on behalf of TRACS.
At a time where evidence of creativity in the classroom is being given a significant push – not simply as an aid to pass exams, but as a key skill benefiting children’s confidence – Gifting Every Child provides a perfect starting point for teachers, educators and youth group leaders to engage with the traditional arts, learning in fresh and innovative ways.
TRACS, along with Museums Galleries Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland and Creative Scotland, commissioned a report on where Scotland currently stands with regard to Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), the UNESCO designation for ‘the practices, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities, groups and sometimes individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage – oral traditions; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship’.
The report was researched, compiled and written by Steve Byrne of Local Voices CIC. It is a comprehensive overview of the field, and its organisations and issues and makes a number or recommendations on recording and preserving ICH in Scotland.
TRACS (Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland, SC043009) brings together the Traditional Music Forum (SC042867), the Scottish Storytelling Forum (SC020891) and the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland (SC045085) to provide a common platform and collective voice for Scotland’s rich cultural heritage, and to improve the knowledge, practice, development and advocacy of traditional arts in a contemporary world, making them more accessible to all. TRACS is based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, which is a partnership project between the Storytelling Forum and The Church of Scotland (SC011353). All three Forums are Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations with their office at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR.
