Highlights from 2015/2016
july
The Early Years festival took place in Eastwood Park Theatre
august
The Heritage Service published its first online teaching resource ‘WW1 in East Renfrewshire: a
toolkit for schools’ which was made possible through a successful funding bid to SLIC
september
ERCL joined the HSCP Arts and Environment Steering Group to contribute to the development of arts with health improvement colleagues
october
Consultation began on a new strategy for Eastwood Theatre, working with partners such as the
Theatre Users Group
november
There was a great turnout for two Heritage events organised for Book Week Scotland. Unearthing Giffnock’s
History was a drop in event aimed at opening up access to our local collections and Renfrewshire’s Lost
Mansions was a fascinating talk by local author, historian and television presenter, Dan Sweeney
december
• First sell out Panto; Aladdin by Inside Out Productions
• Working with the Health and Social Care Partnership we delivered a number of arts
projects for the new Eastwood Health Centre
january
• ERCL became a member of the Green Arts Initiative: Run by Creative Carbon Scotland, the Green
Arts Initiative supports Scottish arts organisations to be at the forefront of growing an environmentally
sustainable Scotland.
• A Creative Learning Network grant was successful resulting in a 3D printer project with St
John’s Primary pupils and ERCL artists.
february
• ERCL awarded £10,000 by SLIC for a filmmaking project in libraries
• The first Arts and Heritage strategy was written: this plan sets out our ambitions for
developing with more scope and scale
• The review of fees and charges for all services began, starting with benchmarking against other
services and identifying commercial opportunities such as Arty Parties, festivals and events
• The launch of increased arts programming was provided within the Active Schools
programme. A new joint swimming development and arts project: Swim Film was piloted
march
• ERCL’s first Artist in Residence programme began, in partnership with East Renfrewshire
Council’s Environment Department and Grow Scotland. Running until the end of 2016,
the artist will be based at the Waterworks site, developing an identity for the site alongside
community members.
• A Shanks exhibition at the Foundry attracted 200 visitors and developed much community
engagement and reminiscence