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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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VISION

Every Scottish community, however small, has an essential and vibrant cultural life; one that is locally rooted, nationally supported and internationally recognised..

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MISSION

To inspire and enable those who deliver remarkable performances in rural and island communities – connecting people and transforming places.

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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 (Director), Teri Laing (Communications & Engagement Manager) Fee Shaw, Network Development Manager and Julia Wylie, Membership Officer.

Claire Mackay

Director

I ensure the team, board and organisation have everything they need to support the membership. I join the dots between the network and the wider sector, driving the strategic direction and aligning values and goals.

I have a background in project, marketing and business management, with 10 years in arts and culture. I worked in artist development and label management – leading Frightened Rabbit and Kathryn Josephs’ debut and critically-acclaimed albums – before joining the team in 2017.

I’m passionate about ensuring our members’ voices are heard and seeing that live performance in the region is encouraged and fairly supported.

TERI LAING

Communications & Engagement Manager

Stories are at the heart of everything I do. I share the work of the network with the wider world, connecting people, gathering insights, and supporting our members to promote themselves as best they can.

I’ve led communications for arts organisations across the UK, in rural and urban settings, in-house and touring, and I’ve worked on many more shows, festivals and publications as a freelancer.

I’m passionate about rural touring and celebrating the people who make it happen. I’m here to shine a light on creative communities in the highlands and islands, and to visit lots more of them along the way!

FEE SHAW

Network Development Manager

I’m responsible for supporting our members to ensure they get the most out of this community. I believe the core strength of any network comes from good communication and a willingness to share experiences, insights, and resources. I’m here to help make that process as simple and enjoyable as possible!

I’ve worked in arts venues for more of my life than I haven’t. I started in theatres in Northern England, managed thousand-seater concert halls in Edinburgh, ran international film festivals in Glasgow, and organised for touring shows to come to Oban, which is now home.

JULIA WYLIE

Membership Officer

I’m usually your first point of contact when you get in touch with The Touring Network. I oversee the office emails and provide support to the rest of the team.

I have a background in the arts, culture and heritage industries. Over the past 10 years I’ve worked in administration, communication and information management for organisations like Artlink Edinburgh, Glasgow Caledonian University, MAP and Glasgow School of Art.

This is my first role with a performing arts focus. I’m looking forward to gaining a deeper insight into the sector, and the triumphs and challenges that face promoters, performers and venues in rural Scotland.

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:

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WEBSITE BUILD & DESIGN

think.in.form

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PROJECTS & SERVICES

Theatre in Schools Scotland (TISS)

Social Enterprise Academy

Lindsay Dunbar

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associates

Geoff Hewitt – Finance Associate

Current Board

Simon Hart, Director, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival (Chair)
Rhona NicDhùghaill, Co-ordinator at Theatre Gu Leòr / Freelance Creative Producer (Vice – Chair)
Floortje Matthew, Programme Manager at Shetland Arts
Eleanor Scott, Administrative Producer at Vanishing Point Theatre
Kenny Taylor, promoter at Resolis Community Arts
Alasdair Wright, former promoter at West Coast Arts
Mandi Freeman, Producer, BBC
Phil Royal, Promoter, Kilbrannan Sound