This page contains regularly updated links to sites and resources that we hope you find useful, interesting and inspiring.
If you come across any interesting or exciting links that you would like to share with your fellow artists please let us know and we will add them here.
Please send information to andrew@anlanntair.com
Youth Clubs Artist Commission
An Lanntair wish to commission a visual artist to work with youth groups in Lewis and Harris.
One artist will be selected to work with participating youth clubs and groups in Lewis and Harris (approx. 6 groups). The artist will facilitate creative sessions with the youth groups inspired by their own creative practice. They will support the young people to create a group site-specific artwork at each youth club location, or one artwork involving input from all the youth clubs. We welcome proposals from visual artists working in any media.
We anticipate that the successful artist will work with each youth group for between two and four sessions. The fee will be paid at Scottish Artist’s Union hourly pay rates up to a maximum of 36 hours. The budget for materials and equipment is £500. On island travel expenses provided.
PVG membership required
How to apply:
Please send an Artist CV and a covering letter giving an indication of what you would do, and showing examples of your artwork to moira@anlanntair.com by Fri 29th Sept.
Project timeline:
Closing date for proposals Fri 29th Sept
Selection Mon 2nd Oct
Work to begin with youth clubs from late October and be spread over 8 weeks.
Artworks to be completed by 31st December 2023.
Installation dates negotiable.
The Marginalian
This is a wonderful website which houses a huge number of articles and essays that "search for meaning across literature, science, art, philosophy, and the various other tendrils of human thought and feelings.
The Marginalian
We Heart Stories
​
We Heart Stories is a creative mentoring experience for young children and their parents. I remotely connect with storytellers from 3-11 years old and mentor them through making their own storybook.
I would like to take the artwork to the next level by partnering with someone who has a complimentary craft. This is a commercial opportunity for a visual artist to partner in a growing enterprise. Currently I see the best fit as a digital illustrator with a graphic design skillset, but I will speak with anyone interested.
If you love this story, if you feel you can bring it to life, I would like to hear from you. Please get in touch.
​
Poetry Unbound
Immerse yourself in a single poem, guided by Pádraig Ó Tuama. Short and unhurried; contemplative and energizing. Anchor your week by listening to the everyday poetry of your life, with new episodes on Monday and Friday during the season.
​
StoryTagging
This is a great opportunity for local artists be part of an exciting project. The project has some development grants attached.
The StoryTagging project combines traditional storytelling with modern technologies to help increase the visibility and market reach of creative practitioners working in remote areas.
​
The project will develop a digital platform (both a website and Apple and Android apps) that will allow creatives to harness those stories that make Northern regions distinct: place, identity & community; folklore; cultural heritage; landscape & natural heritage.
​
NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA
​
This is a great resource for watching movies and documentaries, its particularly good for animation
​
Here is the link to their site
​
​
This sounds like a really fun opportunity.
​
The Flash Fiction Challenge is a competition that challenges writers around the world to create short stories (1,000 words max.) based on genre, location, and object assignments in 48 hours. Each writer will participate in at least 2 writing challenges and as many as 4 depending on how well they place in each challenge.
​
Free courses from Scottish Trade Union Councils and Open University.
​
STUC represents trade unionists across Scotland, the members of 37 affiliated trade unions and 20 Trades Union Councils. We work across all occupational sectors throughout Scotland. Scottish Union Learning supports trade unions in accessing skills and lifelong learning opportunities.
A brilliant resource for writing exercises
​
NYC presents the 100 work Micro Fiction Challenge.
Storytelling in 100 words.
Feedback and prizes- worldwide
​
Since 2002, NYC Midnight has hosted hundreds of inspiring competitions for storytellers around the world. Participants are challenged to create original stories, screenplays, or films using assigned elements under time constraints. If you enjoy a creative challenge, check out the link below.
​
http://www.thelonelypalette.com/episodes
​
Art history- The lonely palette is an excellent in depth exploration into some of art histories favourites, beautifully done USA
​
"Man, art history. It's so snooty. And boring. Right?
​
Or maybe...wrong? As it turns out, art history is as interesting and accessible as its stories. And the stories are why you're here.
​
Each episode of The Lonely Palette, creator and host Tamar Avishai picks an object du jour, interviews unsuspecting passers-by in front of it, and then dives deeply into the movement, the social context, the anecdotes, and anything and everything else that will make it as exciting to you as it is to her. "
Advice and information, support
​
Res Artis: Worldwide Network of Arts Residencies is a 26 year old network of arts residency operators from around the globe. Our network comprises more than 700 vetted members in over 85 countries.
​
​
Information, campaigns, advice and inspiration for all things fashion
​
"Find your idea's dream fit with Fashion Foundry - a global, full-service production and manufacturing company. We pride ourselves on bringing bold, innovative product visions to life and preparing them to be sold to market."
https://artuk.org/discover/stories/type/art-matters-podcast
​
Features and interviews UK
​
Art UK is the online home for every public art collection in the UK.
We are a charity, and our website represents a collaboration between over 3,200 British institutions.
Through our work, we make art available for everyone – for enjoyment, learning and research.
a-n The Artists Information Company
​
'a-n is the largest artists’ membership organisation in the UK with over 25,000 members. We support artists and those who work with them in many practical ways, acting on behalf of our membership and the visual arts sector to improve artists’ livelihoods. We have a reputation for providing compelling insights and playing a catalytic role in influencing and informing cultural policy.'
https://www.artistsunion.scot/
For artists and craft/ makers- advice, workshops and more.
Constituted in 2001, the Scottish Artists Union lobbies on behalf of visual artists working in Scotland, defending their rights, expanding their benefits and fighting to make their professional practice a means to support a better quality of life.
​
https://www.lovelifedrawing.com/
​
Well thought out life drawing tutorials for beginners and more experienced, very nicely presented.
​
"Love Life Drawing was created by me, Kenzo, and my mum, Mayko, to help people struggling with life drawing. This website and our YouTube channel are filled with super clear and always doable tutorials.
​
Learning to draw people is so much fun, but it can be such a struggle too! We work with beginners constantly to understand what happens when they try different exercises or techniques, so we can see the learning process through their eyes. That’s what sets our lessons apart."
CREATIVE SCOTLAND OPPORTUNITIES
Remember to keep an eye on Creative Scotlands opportunities page to stay up to date with commissions, jobs, exhibitions and much more.
​
An Lanntair Artist Directory
An Lanntair is currently updating and improving its Artist Directory. Please contact andrew@anlanntair.com if you would like to be included.
The directory is a resource listing local creatives with details of the work that they produce, contacts and website links.
If you want to be included please send a brief description of you practice, an image, any contact details that you would wish to be included and any links to websites or social media.
Send your information to andrew@anlanntiar.com
TO view the current directory click HERE.
A SELECTION OF RESOURCES FOR WRITERS
The Royal Court has an unwavering commitment to writers.
'For over 60 years, we have premiered groundbreaking new plays and helped to launch the careers of our foremost playwrights
https://royalcourttheatre.com/playwriting/
Books on writing that may be useful
Bird by Bird- Anne Lamott
Steering the Craft- Ursula K Le Guin
The Writing Life- Annie Dillard
On Writing; A Memoir of the Craft- Stephen King
The Writer as an Artist- Pat Schneider.
​
For Screen writers
Jed Mercurio is one of Britain’s most successful television writers. The award-winning creator of Bodyguard and Line of Duty will show you how to master mystery, jeopardy, and structure to create edge-of-your-seat drama.
More Information on his courses click Here.
CALL OUT TO FELLOW PRINTMAKERS FROM ARTIST GILL THOMPSON
Calling all printmakers based in the Outer Hebrides. Would you be interested in being part of a group dedicated to the promotion of printmaking in all its forms here on the islands?
At present we have limited facilities but, as a group, we could work towards creating something that offers greater access to print equipment and training for individuals and groups. Opportunities for shared projects, collaborative work and exhibitions could be something to develop from a Printmaking group. There are established printmaking groups on Orkney, Shetland and on the mainland which can provide support for both emerging printmakers, learners, and established professionals.
If you are interested, please contact Gill Thompson g.c.thompson1@btinternet.com
Hebridean Artist in focus.
would you like to use An Lanntair’s Instagram as a platform to showcase your work for one week. (All art forms)
We are looking for images and videos that give an insight into your inspiration/motivation; working process; working spaces; favourite artists; galleries; venues; people, places that inspire you; materials; colours; quotes that are inspirational; and of course documentation of your work.
​
Please get in touch with Sandra at andrew@anlanntair.com and you will be given guidelines and a timeframe in which you will prepare the content for a weeks postings. Those who need assistance on this will be given the help required.
The Scottish Book Trust
This site offers some fantastic opportunities and resources for writers.
"Apply to our writing programmes for targeted support, discover the magic of an author visit or delve into inspirational writing tips, publishing advice and competitions."
Help Musicians is an independent UK charity for professional musicians of all genres, from starting out through to retirement.
​
We help at times of crisis, but also at times of opportunity, giving people the extra support they need at a crucial stage that could make or break their career.
THE POETRY FOUNDATION
The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, is an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience.
​
The Poetry Foundation works to raise poetry to a more visible and influential position in our culture. The Foundation seeks to be a leader in shaping a receptive climate for poetry by developing new audiences, creating new avenues for delivery, and encouraging new kinds of poetry.
The Society of Scottish Artists is an artist-led, not-for-profit organisation with over 1000 members from across Scotland and beyond.
​
Run by artists for artists, the Society is led by a team of volunteers, each elected by the members and working together to create opportunities for artists.
The Society does not receive any public funding. We support each other to organise, present and promote exhibitions and events, as well as offering a platform for discussion and sharing.
​
We also organise an ongoing programme of exhibitions, events and international residencies.
​
The OLIST
The OLIST is an initiative from Interactive Technology Ltd designed to keep artists informed of key entry dates for open exhibitions and art competitions in the UK. Providing continuous information on 'Open for Entry' dates as well as highlighting exhibitions which are close to their entry deadlines.
Registration to The OLIST is now via the OESS (Open Exhibition Submission and Selection) system which many of the UK top open exhibitions use to manage their artist entries. To register, please enter one of the open calls listed.
​
​
All artists of any discipline are invited to take part in an online peer review. This is an in depth review of one piece of work by one artist per session. The review will closely follow the procedure laid out by choreographer Liz Lerman.
Here are some really useful links to funding that are well worth a look at. Click on the link below to download the document.
​
DutchCulture|TransArtists combines and shares knowledge and experience on artist-in-residence programmes and other international opportunities for creative professionals to temporarily stay and work elsewhere.
​
https://www.scottishassociationofwriters.com/
​
Networking, conferences, support.
​
Our association serves to bring local writers clubs and their members throughout Scotland together, in order to provide support as well as networking opportunities.
​
Sensitive to Art and Its Discontents- Contemporary perspectives on art, culture, and more.
​
"Hyperallergic is a leading voice in contemporary perspectives on art, culture, and more. The online publication was founded by the husband-and-husband team, Veken Gueyikian and Hrag Vartanian, in 2009 as a forum for playful, serious, and radical perspectives on art in society. With over one million visitors monthly, Hyperallergic combines round-the-clock art world news coverage with insightful commentary.
​
Challenging the art world status quo, Hyperallergic goes beyond the surface to investigate the inner workings of art institutions and markets, shedding light on the movements and individuals fighting for greater inclusion and representation. With hundreds of global contributors, Hyperallergic is a constant source for the latest in film, visual art, books, and performances around the world."
A SELECTION OF RESOURCES FOR POETS
The Poetry Pub, started as an open mic event in 2017. The response was so enthusiastic that they wanted to keep the fun going. The Poetry Pub has since gone on to publish several chapbooks, host open mics, and encourage members of the community to publish their own work.
​
The Poetry Foundation is an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience.
CALL OUT FOR EXHIBITIONS AT GRINNEABHAT
Call to all artists who would like to exhibit at Grinneabhat, a newly-opened community-owned facility in Bragar. The building (the former village primary school) houses a cafe/cèilidh room, a community space, a 12-bed hostel with four en-suite rooms and an exhibition space. It is open Monday - Saturday (cafe open Tuesday - Saturday). The exhibition room has one wall approximately 5m long, and one of 3m (the other 2 walls are mainly windows). The entrance hallway also has about 3-4m of hanging space. Artists would need to install the work themselves, with help from Urras Coimhearsnachd Bhràdhagair agus Àrnoil (Bragar and Arnol Community Trust) volunteers. Contact anne.campbell@bragararnol.org
Moniack Mhor, Scotland's Creative Writing Centre Mentoring Programme.​
Moniack Mhor’s new programme offers a bespoke approach to mentoring. It supports writers at every level of ability and at every stage of writing.
Mentors are professional writers with tutoring and mentoring experience, who often lead residential courses. Tailor-made sessions can be requested as required.
​
​
Creative Scotland funding is open to individuals, groups or organisations to apply for, supporting a wide range of activity in the arts, screen and creative industries. View the programmes below for more information about what each will support and how to apply.
​
​
Support for performers, actors, designers, directors, singers, comedians and more. Information and advice.
"We are a union of more than 47,000 performers and creative practitioners, united in the fight for fair terms and conditions in the workplace.
We are actors, singers, dancers, designers, directors, stage managers, puppeteers, comedians, voice artists, and variety performers. We work on stage, on TV sets, on the catwalk, in film studios, in recording studios, in night clubs and in circus tents.
Equity brings together entertainment professionals and ensures their demands are heard: whether these are for decent pay, better health and safety regulations, or more opportunities for all – regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability or class.
Even when our members perform solo, they are not alone. They are always part of the Equity community.
.jpg)
https://www.creativescotland.com/
​
Scottish source of information for all art forms listing opportunities, grants and support.
​
"Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here.
​
We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life."
https://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/art-for-your-ear-podcast/
​
The Jealous Curator podcast- Mostly interviews very down to earth USA
​
"The Jealous Curator launched in 2009, as a place for me to show artwork that “made me jealous”. Yes, I was jealous of other artists’ work, their lives, their success, their studios. I felt like I’d never have any of that – and I was right – because I wasn’t making art! I was stuck, and so busy comparing myself to everyone else that I didn’t even allow myself to be creative. It was awful. I started the blog to document the work I loved, but more importantly, I wanted to find a way to flip the jealousy into something positive – admiration and inspiration to be specific. It worked!
​
As I move forward with the site, I’ve realized that what I’m most interested in is, of course sharing/exposing the work of talented contemporary artists through my daily posts, but I’m also absolutely fascinated with the self-doubt part – the insecurities, inner-critics, creative blocks, and of course the jealousy that all of us have to deal with at some point. If we share openly about this, about the vulnerability that comes with being creative, all of us will benefit."
​
http://www.matthewburrows.org/home
Hashtag artists support on instagram
#artistsupportpledge is a movement to support artists during Covid-19. Artists post pictures of their works for sale. Everytime an artist makes £1,000 in sales they commit 20% on purchasing the work of another artist using the hashtag. There are no enforcements, it is a system based on trust.
I want to sell my art. Can I take part?
Yes. Anyone can take part.
I want to buy art . Can I take part?
Yes. Anyone can take part. This is open to everyone, everywhere around the world. (See detailed guidance above.)
How do I take part?
Artists post images of their work on Instagram with the #artistsupportpledge, with details and price. If people are interested in buying, they message (DM) the artist. More detailed guidance above or see the HOW TO post on Instagram @artistsupportpledge
Every time an artist reaches £1,000 of sales, they pledge to buy £200 of work from other artists. Lots of donations are being made and encouraged as well, made to particular concerns such as @_hopsitalrooms.
https://www.creativecarbonscotland.com/
​
Creative Carbon Scotland
​
We believe the arts and culture have an essential role to play in achieving the transformational change to a sustainable future. Find out more about what we do and who we are.
https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/
Advice and information, support
​
"We are a community of over 32,000 musicians.
Protecting our members’ rights and campaigning for a fairer music industry. We are #BehindEveryMusician."
​
https://www.listentotheresistance.com/
​
The Resistance
​
There's a force at work that keeps you from being you. We feel it, too. It's the reason we avoid making the call, the reason we put off the diet. It's why we've done nothing about that entrepreneurial idea, that creative endeavor, that new relationship. In his book The War of Art, Steven Pressfield defines this universal force as Resistance. Welcome to The Resistance, a new podcast featuring honest interviews with creative persons about this force and the forms it takes.
https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/3860
​
A ten episode series, not so much for learning about art, more for hearing different perspectives and what people are really thinking USA.
​
"At The Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1, we celebrate creativity, openness, tolerance, and generosity. We aim to be inclusive places—both onsite and online—where diverse cultural, artistic, social, and political positions are welcome. We’re committed to sharing the most thought-provoking modern and contemporary art, and hope you will join us in exploring the art, ideas, and issues of our time."
https://www.thisiscolossal.com/
​
Great site for inspiration, articles and ideas, USA.
​
"Called the “Tate Modern of the Internet,” Colossal is an international platform for contemporary art and visual expression that explores a vast range of creative disciplines. With an archive of over 6,000 articles written by seven contributors, we pride ourselves in celebrating the work of both emerging and established artists through an ongoing commitment to make art accessible to everyone. Our coverage explores visual culture through the latest in fine art, design, modern craft, street art, photography, illustration, science, and animation.
​
Colossal is designed to serve as an online gallery of visually spectacular artwork, while seeking to educate and inform rather than criticize or interpret. Through this effort, Colossal is used as inspiration and instruction in classrooms across the arts and sciences from grade school through graduate school. Via our website, newsletters, and social media impressions, Colossal reaches an estimated 10 million monthly readers."