Learning Newsletter 1

The Learning Programme creates opportunities for all members to undertake training to improve their sector skills, meet one another, address the barriers to freelance work, and participate fully as workers within the sector. All of our bespoke workshops and courses are free and created in direct response to members’ needs; delivering specialist events on a variety of topics across Scotland and across disciplines.

"I feel the training will have a lasting impact on me and hopefully make collaborative projects more successful in the future. It's not often I get the chance to slow down and reflect on my goals or how to reach them."

Events

Bread and Roses
24-25 August 2018
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness

Come join us in Inverness!
This year, we are delighted to host our annual AGM and events in the Highlands & Islands for the first time and encourage all of our members to come.  

Bread and Roses is a two-day event of talks, workshops, discussions and AGM; exploring moments of history in the trade union movement as well as how members can operate as agents of change from within a union. On Friday 24 August, meet other members, take part in practical workshops, access STUC archive materials, enjoy food and a performance from artist collective Bart Waltz in the historic memorial chapel of Bishop's Palace at Eden Court. Pizza at the Black Isle Bar from 7pm. On Saturday 25 August, take a first look at the members' survey results and take part in a workshop led by our researchers The Lines Between to shape the final report due for publication in the autumn. Finally, take part in the Scottish Artists Union Annual General Meeting, where members can ask questions of the staff and executive about the union activity and plans, as well as decisions on the future strategic growth and direction of the union.

Don't miss it! 
FREE for all Scottish Artists Union members.

We understand there is a considerable expense for many members travelling from further afield and are offering a limited number of travel bursaries for members not based in Inverness to cover travel and accommodation to attend the two day event. Please email [email protected] to find out more. 

Book your place now!
***

Monthly Union Executive Meetings 
Next date: 19 September 2018 7-9pm

The Scottish Artists Union Executive Committee meet ten times per year to oversee all aspects of the union's activities, including finance and compliance, learning and development, and campaigns and membership. Any member can attend as an observer and we strongly encourage members to do so. If you are interested in attending a meeting (perhaps in advance of joining the committee), please email [email protected].
***

Forthcoming STUC Conferences 2018

22nd Annual Black Workers Conference 
7 October 9am-1pm 
Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel
Beardmore Street Clydebank
Glasgow
G81 4SA

91st Annual Women's Conference 
30 October 9:30am-5pm
Caird Hall
City Square
Dundee
DD1 3BB 

15th Annual Disabled Workers Conference 
18 November 9am-1pm 
Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel
Beardmore Street Clydebank
Glasgow
G81 4SA
***

News

New Learning Organiser for the Highlands & Islands - Kirsten Body! 

Thanks to support from the Scottish Union Learning Fund we are able to expand our opportunities in the Highlands & Islands by introducing Kirsten Body as the region's new Learning Organiser.

Kirsten has 16 years experience working in the visual arts sector and returned to the Highlands in 2011, after working in Edinburgh. She is passionate about supporting artists and enabling new connections to be formed. Currently Kirsten co-ordinates contemporary exhibitions across four Highland galleries and is part of the steering group for the new Wasps' creative hub in Inverness.

“The geography of the Highlands & Islands means many artists are working in relatively remote areas and often feel isolated from the contemporary visual arts sector. There’s definitely a desire to feel part of a wider creative community and I believe the Scottish Artists Union can be the meeting place we need; supporting the wealth of creative talent from our region through learning, as well as enabling that collective voice to emerge.

Having attended the In Common training in Skye earlier this year, I got to meet other Union members and understand how valuable these connections are. I'm delighted to be coordinating more events over the coming months from North Uist to Orkney and would love to hear from members about their training needs. Finally I urge all local members to attend the AGM in Inverness - help keep us quorate and make future events like these possible in our area!" 

You can contact Kirsten on [email protected] or leave comments within the new H&I Homepage. 
***

A Home to Take Pride In

Read an article by Kris Hendry, from the Public & Commercial Services Union, as they look at the Glasgow-hosted European Championships and LGBT+ equality on behalf of the STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Committee.
*** 

Collaborative political organisation Keep It Complex, who we were lucky enough to work with at last year's AGM, have compiled a handbook on how to organise. Download the Organise With Others handbook or pop into our office at the Briggait for a printed version, call us before you drop in on 0141 559 4999 to make sure we're here! Read more about their events including the Unite Against Dividers weekend and Organise With Others event here. 

Keep It Complex confronts political issues through ideas and action.
***

Opportunities

If you haven't seen the new website yet, head over to artistsunion.scot now! We want the website to be loud with members' voices and are looking for contributions to the blog. Do you want to initiate a conversation, write an article, share an opinion...? Send submissions to [email protected] with 'Blog Submission' in the email subject.   
***

Get the most out of your membership and book on one of our courses, workshops and events - learn, meet your union officials, network with fellow members, and find out more about the union and its activities. 

Yours in Solidarity,

Scottish Artists Union

The learning programme is funded through the collective provision of the Learning Fund from the STUC Scottish Union Learning, to deliver learning opportunities in the workplace and alternative locations for a variety of sectors.