TRACS is grounded in the international values and purposes of UNESCO.

We affirm and promote cultural diversity, lifelong learning, and intangible cultural heritage, including languages. Through our parallel support for The Earth Charter International, we connect these values with ecology and environmental action worldwide.

TRACS nurtures creative networks for traditional music, storytelling and dance, through its Forums. TRACS also fosters collaboration between art-forms through its network of place-based creative fieldworkers. Recently, TRACS has begun to explore the potential for a Traditional Crafts Forum.

CULTURE COLLECTIVE

TRACS is part of the Scottish Government’s Culture Collective initiative, supporting communities of place, through our People’s Parish pilot projects.

These projects are currently underway in Kilwinning, Dufftown, Lochend-Restalrig (Edinburgh), Dunterlie (Barrhead), Langlees (Falkirk), Glenorchy and Inishail (Argyll), Mayfield and Easthouses (Midlothian), Kinross, and Castlehill (Dumbarton West).

TRACS recognises and respects those who have been marginalised or excluded from mainstream cultural activity for reasons of geography, economic status, illness, diverse abilities, sexuality, gender, sex, ethnicity, or religion.

TRACS works with such individuals and groups, through communities of interest as well as place, to co-create participative activities. This is often done in partnership with the Scottish Storytelling Centre and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.

TRACS and its Forums offer training for practitioners, and a variety of mentoring opportunities. These range from peer mentoring to individual programmes, which are advertised annually.

TRACS undertakes this work in partnership with other Traditional Arts organisations, working through Creative Scotland’s Traditional Arts Working Group.

TRACS is responsible for the annual Scottish International Storytelling Festival, which takes place at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and across Scotland, in the second half of October.

The Scottish Government has designated 2022 Scotland’s Year of Stories so the 2022 Festival theme is SCOTLAND’S STORIES.

Browse SISF Website