About The Touring Network
The Touring Network exists to see rural touring be a central, celebrated and indispensable part of the cultural life of Scotland. We encourage live performances of the highest level, and support people as promoters, performers and audiences to create vibrant places to live, work and visit.
Our network is made up of a diverse mix of people and organisations from volunteer promoters, village hall committees, pub landlords, school teachers, and professional programmers, to theatre makers and producers, dance artists, musicians, agents and about-to-hit-the-road performers.
Our members’ venues are scattered across a region which covers half the land mass of Scotland, stretching from Shetland to Campbeltown, and our performer members are both situated in and out of this region. Whilst we are geographically spread – we are a network closely connected by our cohesive vision for better access to remarkable live performances across rural Scotland.
Connect
We provide a forum for promoters across the Highlands & Islands to connect and network, sharing knowledge, skills and resources. We develop relationships between promoters, performers and communities, to make performances vibrant and fulfilling experiences for everyone.
Represent
We work on behalf of our members and alongside partner organisations to strengthen and support the rural touring ecology as a whole and and to ensure that touring and promoting remain accessible and relevant to all.
Support
We provide help, advice and training for those involved in putting on professional performing arts events in small-scale venues. Whether you are putting on your first ever show or have been running events for years, we are here to provide help and support.
Programme
We are committed to bringing live performances of the highest quality to all areas of the Highlands and Islands. Through our Supported Programme we are able to support performances in under-represented geographic areas and genres.
VISION
Every Scottish community, however small, has an essential and vibrant cultural life; one that is locally rooted, nationally supported and internationally recognised..
MISSION
To inspire and enable those who deliver remarkable performances in rural and island communities – connecting people and transforming places.
OBJECTIVES
Grow a strong, diverse and well informed membership and encourage a ‘learning and sharing’ network culture
Support the development and touring of all genres of high quality live performance
Connect audiences to high quality live performance in the region
Connect, communicate and inform the activities, needs and outcomes of our members to the sector and beyond.
Increase organisational resilience
Who We Are
The Touring Network is managed by a strong core team, made up of Claire Mackay (Co-Director), Rhiannon McIntyre, Teri Laing (Communications & Engagement Manager) and Fee Shaw, Network Development Manager.
Claire Mackay
Director
Claire has a background in marketing, project and business management and 10 years experience in the Culture and Arts sector – both private and third sector. She has a strong tie to the music industry via artist development and label management – leading Frightened Rabbit’s debut release and Kathryn Joseph’s award-winning album. Claire is continually in awe of the work our network puts in to making remarkable performances happen in their communities and she is dedicated to championing the value of culture in the region.
TERI LAING
Communications & Engagement Manager
Teri digs out stories and shines a light on all of the wonderful things happening in the region. She is happy to chat with members about audience development, community engagement, marketing and PR. Teri is also responsible for income diversification and thinking up creative ways to raise more funds for live performance.
Teri has led comms for Kneehigh Theatre, Create London, NVA, Dundee Contemporary Arts and CCA Glasgow, worked on many more shows, festivals and events as a freelancer, and written about the arts for various publications.
FEE SHAW
Network Development Manager
Fee is responsible for supporting all our members to ensure they get the most out of being part of this community. She strongly believes that the core strength of any network comes from good communication and a willingness to share experiences, insights, and resources. She is here to help make that process as simple and enjoyable as possible.Fee has worked in arts venues for more of her life than she hasn’t. She started in theatres in Northern England, has managed thousand-seater concert halls in Edinburgh, run international film festivals in Glasgow, and organised for touring shows to come to Oban which she now calls home.
how we operate
We care about the environment and work in ways which help to minimise our carbon footprint; we are a paperless, digital first organisation which operates a remote working model – reducing office overheads and the impact of daily commuting for staff. We calculate our carbon omissions and work with our partner, Trees for Life to offset our environmental impact.
If you are touring in the Highlands and Islands and want to know how you can help offset your impact please get in touch.
DELIVERY PARTNERS
The core team is currently supported by the following partners, associates and contractors:
WEBSITE BUILD & DESIGN
PROJECTS & SERVICES
associates
Geoff Hewitt – Finance Associate
Current Board
- Simon Hart, Business & Development Director, Taigh
- Chearsabhagh (Chair)
- Joni Brown, Creative Director at Argyll Arts Collective
- Joseph Peach, Musician & FST Membership and Events Assistant
- Rhona NicDhùghaill, Co-ordinator at Theatre Gu Leòr / Freelance Creative Producer (Vice – Chair)
- Floortje Matthew, Programme Manager at Shetland Arts
- John Saich, promoter at Craignish Village Hall
- Eleanor Scott, Administrative Producer at Vanishing Point Theatre
- Kenny Taylor, promoter at Resolis Community Arts
- Liz Taylor, HR Consultant
- Alasdair Wright, former promoter at West Coast Arts
We are always on the look out for additional associates and board members to join our team. If you would like to be considered, please get in touch.