Category: Fair Access Expo

Fair Access Expo: Community and Applied Arts Practice

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Fair Access Expo: 

 Community and Applied Arts Practice 

Friday 7 June, 10 – 3:30pm at The Boardwalk, Glasgow G1 1TF

Are you aged 16 – 25 and want to use your creativity to ask questions, share stories and make change? Do you think the arts can change people’s minds, opinions and lives? Are you interested in building leadership and facilitation skills? If the answer is yes, come along to find out more about Community and Applied Arts Practice at our Fair Access Expo.

At this exciting all-day event, we’re inviting you to join practical sessions with experienced community artists to:

  • Make Theatre
  • Get Moving
  • Make Music
  • Tell a Story

They’ll share their skills and show you how they work creatively with a range of communities. Come and learn about the stories that matter.

What is Community Arts Practice? 

It’s a springboard to careers in teaching, directing, performance making, youth work, community music, arts in health and wellbeing, community education, play work, arts funding, creative learning in arts and cultural organisations and so much more.

How to register

To register, please visit the Eventbrite event page where you can sign up as a young person to attend, or as a teacher to book for a group of pupils.

Ticket like button for registering

Who can attend

Fair Access prioritise places for young people aged 16 – 25 who are facing barriers in accessing the arts and who meet one or more of the following criteria:

Get in touch if you have any questions or need us to check a postcode for you.

If you are a young person living very rurally (e.g. on an island) you may also be eligible. Please get in touch with us and we will let you know if you can apply.

Note to teachers

If you are a teacher, we encourage you to attend this opportunity with your pupils. If you cannot attend, we ask that either an alternative member of staff accompanies the group, or that the students are passed on the booking link in order to book themselves a place. This will enable us to collect the details we require from the young people attending to be able to run the event effectively.

Contact Us

You can contact the team at waci@rcs.ac.uk

Fair Access Expo 2023

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Fair Access Behind the Scenes EXPO 

Focus on Film, Production Arts and Technology

Monday 5 June, 10 – 3pm

Civic House, 26 Civic Street, Glasgow G4 9RH

Three young adults playing with lighting cans
©RCS-Robbie McFadzean

Are you aged 15+ and interested in Film and/or Production Arts or Technology as a career? Do you teach or support someone who is interested in what happens behind the scenes? Then the Fair Access EXPO is for you!

This Fair Access EXPO is an exciting all-day event designed to get you up close behind the scenes of a performance with experts on hand to help you try out a range of skills. The day ends with a performance that you will have helped put together.

During the day, you will have a chance to:

  • Make and paint a set
  • Design and operate light and sound
  • Work with filmmakers and multimedia artists
  • Choose costumes for performers
  • Meet a range of creative professionals
  • Find out about opportunities in Film and Production that might be available
  • And much, much, more including a free breakfast and lunch!

Come and have a go, meet other young people who like the same things you do, and be part of our creative team.

Places are strictly limited so sign up today!

A group of young people trying out a filming camera in a classroom A young person with headphones round his neck and wearing a traffic cone on his head Three young people trying out a filming camera in a hallway

Please note: Fair Access will prioritise those facing barriers to accessing the arts such as those living in an SIMD20 postcode (you can check this on our website), are estranged or care experienced, or identifying as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour (living in an SIMD20 or SIMD40 postcode).

Please let us know the eligibility criteria which best describes you or the group you are booking for when you apply. If none of these criteria apply to you, please feel free to register and a member of staff will get in touch.

 How to get in touch 

If you would like to find out more or have a query or questions, get in touch with the team at: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk 

Fair Access Expo 2021

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

We’re excited to announce that bookings for our upcoming Fair Access Expo are now open!!! 

Come along and join us on Thursday 4th November for open discussions around Widening Access to the Arts. 

We are delighted that the wonderful screen actor Julie Hesmondhalgh will be opening the Expo, sharing her passion for the arts and its power to transform lives and communities. We will also be sharing stories and flagging up opportunities for people interested in a career in Dance, Drama, Music, Film, Production, Theatre and the Performing Arts. 

This year, the main discussions that you can take part in are:

 Young People as Champions of Widening Access to the Arts 
A group of young people will come together to share their experience of choosing the arts as a pathway. We’ll delve into what it’s been like and how they see themselves moving forward.    

 Where Theatre Meets Film 
In this discussion we will hear from theatre-makers and filmmakers and people who do both – we will explore the many varied opportunities that are available in Film and theatre and how both practical and creative disciplines can straddle both art forms.   

 Being Working Class in The Arts 
A career in the arts is not always celebrated as a life choice or even as an option at all – in this panel we will hear from a panel of speakers from working-class communities who have forged creative careers, often against the odds.   

Registration now closed!

Head over to rcs.ac.uk/fair-access-expo to watch again

Attention all teachers and community groups:

If you would like to make a day of it and are able to host the event streamed live into your classroom/space, we have goodies!!! Register your interest in hosting a live stream of the Fair Access Expo to your young folks and we will send you through a box of goodies to give out on the day. Request your pack in Question 4 of the form by telling us roughly how many young people you are hoping will attend. The event will run from 12noon – 3pm. 

Watch Our Fair Access Expo Live Sessions!

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

The Fair Access Team would like to extend a warm thanks to everyone who virtually attended our recent Fair Access Expo.

It was a bit different this year –  however, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re glad so many of you found it useful. For those who couldn’t make it along on the day, our microsite contains a recording of the live sessions ready to watch back. 

Image of a website in various device screens.

Have you ever wanted to know more about Fair Access at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, including information on the Transitions and WACI Programmes? Are looking for advice in studying or working in the performing arts?

Why not head over to our microsite now to watch back our live sessions:

  • Meet The Teams, Transitions and WACI
  • Industry Interview, with Laura Waddell and Graeme Smilie
  • Student Life, a showcase and Q&A (Content Warning! Swearing)

You can also: 

  • watch pre-recorded videos from students and professionals 
  • hear from the Assistant Principal and Fair Access Manager at RCS
  • watch our Fair Access Virtual Band perform
  • find links to information on UCAS and UCAS Conservatoires, 
  • links to funding information from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
  • direct links to our programme websites

Again, thanks to everyone from all the team!

Visit the Fair Access Expo microsite here:

🌐 rcs.ac.uk/fair-access-expo

Bookings Now Open: Fair Access Expo Online

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

WHEN: Sun 25 October 11am – 3:30pm

WHERE: Online via Zoom (Participants will be sent information via email)

We know how daunting it can be pursuing a career in the creative industries, especially when no one you know has done it before. The Fair Access Expo offers an opportunity for you and your family or carers to receive support and advice about the educational and professional journey you are about to embark on.

  •   Meet the WACI and Transitions teams 
  •   Hear from those in the Creative Industries
  •   Hear from our current students
  •   Get involved in our interactive workshop

If you are a Transitions students or WACI pupil, you with your family, friends or carers are warmly invited to our Fair Access Expo. All members of your household are encouraged to join in!

This is event is free to attend but booking is essential.

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Booking Now Closed

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Booking Deadline: Fri 23 October

If you have any question please feel free to contact us by emailing: WACI@rcs.ac.uk

Fair Access Expo Online: Actor Helen Mackay

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

Welcome to the fifth in our series of Fair Access Expo Online videoes, where we asked the professionals who were due to take part in our Fair Access Expo panel if they could tell us a little bit more about their careers, all from the comfort of their own homes. Each week they will talk about:

  • their journey into the creative industries
  • what their day-to-day life is like
  • their advice to anyone hoping to follow in their footsteps

Introducing Helen Mackay, Actor

Helen studied at the RCS from 2006-2009 on the BA Acting Course. Since graduating Helen has appeared in numerous theatre productions all over Scotland.

Recent theatre credits include “Miss Julie” at Perth Theatre, “The Belle’s Stratagem” at the Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and “Jury Play” at the Gridiron / Traverse Theatre.

Helens TV appearances include Rab C Nesbitt and DCI Banks and she has just finished recording “Weir of Hermiston” for BBC Radio Scotland. 

Be sure to check back next few weeks for the final instalment of our Fair Access Expo online series.

Contact Us

During this time we are still working away in the background here to give help and assistance so please don’t hesitate to contact us on:

📧 WACI@rcs.ac.uk

Follow Us

You can also follow us and like our pages on social media

 

Fair Access Expo Online: Musical Theatre Performer Stephen Arden

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

Welcome to the fourth in our series of Fair Access Expo Online videoes, where we asked the professionals who were due to take part in our Fair Access Expo panel if they could tell us a little bit more about their careers, all from the comfort of their own homes. Each week they will talk about:

  • their journey into the creative industries
  • what their day-to-day life is like
  • their advice to anyone hoping to follow in their footsteps

Introducing Stephen Arden, Musical Theatre Performer

Stephen trained in Musical Theatre at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Prior to this he studied at New College Lanarkshire and the University of Hull.

His performance credits include:

  • Sir Robin – Spamalot (UK & International Tour)
  • Nicky/Trekkie Monster – Avenue Q (UK Tour – The Olivier Awards and West End Live)
  • Ensemble – Still Game Live 2 & 3 The Final Farewell
  • WJ Clinton – Clinton the Musical (Edinburgh Festival & Kings Head, London)
  • Anthony – Sweeney Todd (DUCTAC, Dubai)
  • Melchior Gabor – Spring Awakening
  • Prince Findlay – Sleeping Beauty (The Brunton)
  • Zombie Musical (BAFTA New Talent Award)
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bard in The Botanics) Musicals Wanted (European Tour)
  • Elegies for Angels Punks & Raging Queens (The Tron)
  • Charlie Brown in Snoopy!!!

He is also a regular performer for The Byre Theatres annual Pantomine.

Stephen can be seen in BBC Short Stuff films Flowers and Splitting the Bill. He has transitioned into Shakespeare performing in Hamlet and As You Like It for Bard in the Botanics.

In addition to performing Stephen has worked as an Associate Director, Resident Director and Choreographer. Stephen co-designed the pilot year of Musical Theatre for The Junior Conservatoire at RCS and specialises in creating original pieces of drama and tutoring young performers.

Be sure to check back as over the next few weeks where we’ll have something for everyone! Next week we’ll have actor Helen Mackay.

Contact Us

During this time we are still working away in the background here to give help and assistance so please don’t hesitate to contact us on:

📧 WACI@rcs.ac.uk

Follow Us

You can also follow us and like our pages on social media

 

Fair Access Expo Online: Double Bass Emma Smith

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

Welcome to the third in our series of Fair Access Expo Online videoes, where we asked the professionals who were due to take part in our Fair Access Expo panel if they could tell us a little bit more about their careers, all from the comfort of their own homes. Each week they will talk about:

  • their journey into the creative industries
  • what their day-to-day life is like
  • their advice to anyone hoping to follow in their footsteps

Introducing Emma Smith, Double Bass Player 

Emma Smith studied double bass at the Royal College of Music where she was trained in classical double bass technique and repertoire. Building on the language of classical music, and exploring the story-telling aspect of folk music from different parts of the world, Emma has forged a career as a versatile composer, improviser and collaborator. 

An advocate for gender balance in the arts, and with support from Serious/Cryptic, she produces the multi-genre series Bitches Brew, which showcases the best of female instrumental improvising talent and celebrates the increasingly diverse listening habits of people around the world.

Emma is a Lead Trainer for Musicians Without Borders, working with musicians in conflict and post-conflict zones around the world to use music as a tool to rebuild communities and create social change. As an OCM BOOM 2019 Artist she explored the effect of trauma on our sense of time and space, culminating in multimedia solo performance, The Relentless Approach of Better Times, which combined film, electronics, loops and live double bass.

We hope you have enjoyed this insight into a working professionals life and tips that you can use in your creative journey.

Be sure to check back as over the next few weeks where we’ll have something for everyone! Next week we’ll have Stephen Arden, Musical Theatre Performer.

Contact Us

During this time we are still working away in the background here to give help and assistance so please don’t hesitate to contact us on:

📧 WACI@rcs.ac.uk

Follow Us

You can also follow us and like our pages on social media

 

Fair Access Expo Online: Set and Costume Designer Becky Minto

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

In late March 2020 we were excited to be bringing you the Fair Access Expo. An event where students, friends, family and carers were invited to come into the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to learn more about the creative industries and courses. Unfortunately due to COVID 19 we had to postpone this event but we still wanted to give you the opportunity to hear from the some of the exciting speakers we had lined up for the event.

We asked the professionals and students who were due to take part in our panel discussion if they could tell us a little bit more about their careers, all from the comfort of their own homes. They talk about:

  • their journey into the creative industries
  • what their day-to-day life is like
  • their advice to anyone hoping to follow in their footsteps

Introducing Becky Minto, Set and Costume Designer

In the first in a series of videos from the professional panel, we have Becky Minto. Becky is a Set and Costume Designer who trained in Theatre Design at The Welsh College of Music and Drama. She teaches part-time on the Performance Costume Degree/MFA course at Edinburgh College of Art. 

Becky has designed over 100 productions for companies including National Theatre Scotland, The Royal lyceum, Grid Iron, Visible Fictions, Vanishing Point, Scottish Dance Theatre, Lung Ha, All Or Nothing, Perth Rep, 7:84, The Byre, The Citizen’s Theatre, Upswing Aerial Theatre Company, Fire Exit, Walk The Plank, Mark Murphy, RCS, Dundee Rep and Pitlochry Festival Theatre. She was also the Associate Designer for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games; Land of Giants Belfast/London 2012 Festival and This Side The Other Side, Turku’s Capital of Culture Opening Ceremony in 2011.

She was awarded the Silver medal for Space Design for the National Theatre Scotland’s production of The 306:Dawn at the World Stage Design exhibition in Taipei 2017. Out Of This World for VTOL co-designed with Mark Murphy for was selected for Staging Places UK Design exhibition at the Prague Quadrennial 2019 and is currently at The V&A, London until March 2020. Ignition NTS and Iron-Oxide’s White Gold were selected for Make Believe/ UK Design for Performance exhibition Prague Quadrennial and The V&A, London 2015. She has exhibited for the Society of British Theatre Designers in 2011 and 2007.

Recent projects include: Hope and Joy (Pearlfisher/Stellar Quines); How Not To Drown (Thickskin); The Ugly One (Tron Theatre); Only In Whispers (Perth Museum and Art Gallery); Little Top (Ellie Dubois/Starcatchers); Catch Me (Upswing); Ulster American, How To Disappear (Traverse Theatre); Flightpath (Extant/Yellow Earth); Shift (NTS);

Future work in 2020 includes co-designing Underwood Lane with John Byrne (Tron Theatre).

We hope you enjoyed this insight into a working professionals life and tips that you can use in your creative journey.

Be sure to check back as over the next few weeks where we’ll have something for everyone! Next week we’ll have Tim Courtney, Director for Film and Television. 

Contact Us

During this time we are still working away in the background here to give help and assistance so please don’t hesitate to contact us on:

📧 WACI@rcs.ac.uk

Follow Us

You can also follow us and like our pages on social media

 

Fair Access Expo 2020

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

*UPDATE Due to campus closures due to COVID-19, bookings are temporarily closed and this event will be rescheduled to later in the year. We apologies for any inconvenience*

We are excited to announce that bookings for our Fair Access Expo are now open!

If you are a current Transitions student or a pupil from a WACI school, you with your family, friends or carers are warmly invited to our Fair Access Expo. 

When: Sun 29 March, 12:30pm – 4:30pm
Where: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Fair Access Expo is a chance for pupils to come along to: 

Brothers, sisters and friends alongside any other family members or carers are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. This is event is free to attend but booking is essential. 

Fair Access Expo is a joint event hosted by WACI and Transitions