Year of Young People 2018: Taking on the world
As young people take on the reins at venues and festivals around the country, we take a look at some of the exciting events still to come
In 2018, young people are taking over the reins at events and festivals up and down the country, shaking things up and bringing fresh new ideas to the table to celebrate Scotland's Year of Young People. From science at The Helix Park in Falkirk to young musicians on stage at Tiree Music Festival and a BIG Takeover with arts, culture and sports on Shetland to the first ever TEDxYouth event in Glasgow, Scotland's young people have truly shown the world what they are made of this year. And they won't be slowing down any time soon – over the coming weeks they will be transforming venues big and small, staging even more events for all ages to enjoy
With the power of imagination and a sprinkling of fairy dust, Dreams for the Future (24 Nov–2 Dec) is a series of events across the town of Dumfries including a young people's takeover of Moat Brae House. The JMB Creatives will open the doors to the enchanted land where Peter Pan began on Saturday 1 December for a sneak peek ahead of the official opening in Spring 2019. Feel the magic in the walls of this special house where JM Barrie first played pirate games and drew inspiration for his legendary story.
More magic awaits at Storyworlds, a collection of intricate paper sculptures housed under glass domes created by budding young artists from secondary schools in Edinburgh. Working alongside artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb and education staff from Edinburgh Museums & Galleries, the students' worlds are inspired by traditional and contemporary Scottish literature and will enchant you at The Writers' Museum (10 Nov 2018–12 May 2019).
On 8 December, Stepping In will mark the re-opening of Aberdeen's iconic, redeveloped Music Hall. Local young people will be front and centre of the fantastic celebrations – the perfect opportunity to experience the transformed concert hall for the first time with music, performances and fun activities.
Or why not celebrate St Andrew's Day with a fun packed Night at the Museum at The Hunterian Museum in Glasgow (1 Dec). Themed around 'Scotland and the Culture of Comics', the after-hours event will showcase characters, costumes, music and the world's very first comic on display for one night only.
Anna Corbin's Visible Girls: Revisted at Summerhall in Edinburgh will invite you to an examination of youth culture in the early 1980s, bringing together two eras of women's lives to ask the question: 'Who am I really?'. Running alongside the exhibition will be Historic Environment Scotland's Invisible Spaces, bringing together thought-provoking work by a group of 18-26 year olds who documented the significant spaces that inform their identity (10 Nov–21 Dec).
The SEALL Festival of Small Halls (23 Nov–1 Dec), the first of its kind in Europe, brings big music to small halls around Skye and Lochalsh. The country's greatest trad musicians will deliver concerts, cèilidhs and music workshops to communities in remote rural areas to celebrate the unique Highland culture and Gaelic heritage connecting people across many generations. The multi-artform festival will culminate in the Big Cèilidh, a celebration for all on St Andrew's Night at the Sligachan Hotel on Skye.
A fitting finale to a #BRAW year
Edinburgh's Hogmanay once again puts young people at the heart of this year's celebrations. #ScotArt is working with young people across Scotland to create 14 symbols which they believe best represent each region of Scotland. The symbols will be transformed into wicker sculptures by the project's Lead Artist Ariel Killick, thereafter displayed on Edinburgh's High Street from 21 to 29 December.
Ultimately they will form the focal point for the Torchlight Procession (30 Dec), a spectacular and unforgettable family-friendly event culminating in the historic Holyrood Park. On reaching the park, torchbearers will form the distinctive outline of Scotland. The 14 wicker sculptures will be placed within the outline and set ablaze as Scotland's beating heart, marking the Year of Young People 2018 drawing to a close and the beginning of Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations.
Celebrating our Young Scots
To celebrate YOYP2018, this year's The Sunday Mail & Steven Brown Art Young Scot Awards 2018 (30 Nov) will be bigger and better than ever, bringing in brilliant live entertainment and high-profile celebs. Young people have been key to the design and delivery of the awards and even more will be given the chance to attend Scotland's biggest celebration of young people and their achievements. Come join in the festivities at youngscotawards.com
Calling all sleepy heads!
Why not hold your own Wee Sleep Out (9 Nov) at home – a chance for young people to get out of their beds and comfort zones to support Social Bite's cause to end homelessness in Scotland. weesleepout.co.uk
Find more events at visitscotland.com/yoyp2018 and join the conversation! #YOYP2018