1. Outer Hebrides Literature Development Plan Draft

2. Peter Urpeth Writing Development Co-ordinator, HI~Arts Fàilte

3. Public Consultation: April – October 2006, through local press / websites / direct mail Consultation pack: 95 downloads on- line, with 20 returns 1-2-1 Interviews: writers / publishers/ & where possible key organisations outside of Comhairle Report findings back to Comhairle Depts. / Officers and public / external organisations for comment & further development

4. Policy Co-ordination - Outer Hebrides Cultural Strategy Outer Hebrides Creative Industries Strategy CNES Plan A’ Gaidhlig National Gaidhlig Arts Strategy

5. Aims - There are six key aims to this plan: To increase community and individual access to, and participation in, literature and creative writing in both Gaidhlig and English. To promote and showcase excellence. To enable sustainable development of literature and creative writing projects and opportunities across and between individuals, communities, agencies and organisations in the islands. To support the growth of writing and publishing in the creative industries sector. To promote the Gaidhlig language, bilingualism and the culture of the Islands. To maximise the wider economic benefits to the Outer Hebrides for being home to a vibrant and unique writing and literary community.

6. Priorities This plan identifies three priorities: 1. Ensuring Sustainability and growth of the sector. 2. Advancing Adult Gaidhlig Literacy. 3. Supporting Gaidhlig Publishing.

7. Actions Two main actions: Establish & Administer – Outer Hebrides Literature Development Forum Establish & Administer – Gaidhlig Book Development Fund

8. The Forum should encourage collaboration and joint working – CNES / UHI / Writers / Community Learning / An Lanntair / Taigh Chearsabhaigh – across islands - Islands Book Trust / Theatre Hebrides / GaSD / PNE / HI~Arts / SAC The Forum should: Formulate a new plan of co-ordinated activity Secure resources Manage activities

9. The Forum's programme should / could include: Writers in Residence Author events and visits to schools and in community learning & health settings Develop role of creative writing within ACE Development of New Writing and Readers Groups Development of training opportunities for local writers, especially within the Gaidhlig sector Increase the local opportunities for publishing

10. Problems with Forums – Inter-island costs / changing landscape of arts roles & responsibilities Shortage of funds for projects Forum to have: Broad remit and membership, with funding for attendance Clear structure of funding and management within the Comhairle based within Comhairle’s Economic Development Dept? on the basis of the award of a contract to a suitable external organisation?

11. Gaidhlig Book Development Fund Literature and creative writing to support adult Gaidhlig literacy. This new fund will provide grants to enable the early stages of development of new Gaidhlig language publications, especially in terms of accessible, general, non-fiction that can be produced to professional standards locally and by local authors / organisations – - Comuinn Eachdraigh etc.

12. Draft policy for consultation Questions, comments, suggestions... peter@hi-arts.co.uk 07769 508856 Let’s talk!