Call to Makers: CULTURALITY Project - a 24 Hour Creative Discussion Event

Applied Arts Scotland invites submissions from makers to take part in CULTURALITY, a project which champions craft and making as a vital aspect of creative tourism. As part of a wider programme of events, Rural Spot II is a 24 hour in person creative discussion event bringing together a small group of practitioners to explore and exchange ideas in the Cairngorms.

What

We are looking for four rural Scotland based craft practitioners, one each in the disciplines of ceramics, metal, textiles and wood. The 24 hour in person paid residency in Nethy Bridge will bring the four participating makers together with the AAS CULTURALITY project team Carol Sinclair (ceramics), Clare Waddle (wood and metal), Netty Sopata (textiles) and musician / ecologist / land manager and woodworker Will Boyd Willis and gastronomy, to collectively reflect on the role of creativity in shaping, sustaining, and reimagining rural economies. Makers must be an AAS Member or have a Membership application pending to apply. Read more about becoming an AAS Member and apply here.

When and Where

You will arrive at the Dell of Abernethy, Cairngorms National Park, by midday on Thursday 11 September 2025 and leave at midday on Friday 12 September 2025. Facilitated discussions will take place on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, with a relaxed social get together on the Thursday evening, featuring story teller Sarah Hobbs. A delicious lunch on arrival, dinner and breakfast will be provided, using fresh local produce prepared by chef Polly. Accommodation will be in the Dell Lodge and Cottages situated on the edge of the beautiful Abernethy forest.

Why

CULTURALITY is an international project with 12 partners from 9 European countries. By participating in Rural Spot II you will be an active part of an exciting new network. It will also give you the opportunity to be included in an EU Craft Directory compiled by the University of TARTU, Estonia and on the University of St Andrews’ VERA Platform, a new digital platform promoting craft and cultural practice across Europe. In recognition of your contribution to this project you will receive a participation fee of £360 plus a £50 contribution to travel costs. All food and accommodation costs will be covered, except for the cost of any drinks purchased from the tipi bar.

Read Netty’s blog about AAS’s first Rural Spot in the Isle of Lewis, one in the CULTURALITY blog series.

What We Need In Return

We do not need you to do any preparation in advance of the residency, simply share your personal experience and participate in facilitated discussions. We want to hear what cultural tourism means to you, how you work in or with rural spaces, and what a creative future for these places might look like. We will also ask you to note, draw or write down your thoughts on the discussions as we go, and to give those notes to us at the end of the residency as part of our project documentation.

We will require you to bring two pieces of your work along with a selection of your tools for photographing and scanning for upload to the VERA platform. The event is not a product showcase, but rather an exchange of ideas, processes, and new ways of working.

How To Apply

The deadline for this opportunity has passed.
Email an expression of interest to aasculturality@gmail.com. Your expression of interest should be no more than 500 words and include:

A description of your practice, including your location and discipline.
An explanation of why you are interested in taking part in this CULTURALITY opportunity.
Three images of recent work designed and made by you.

Criteria: You must be a current AAS Member or have a Membership application pending to apply. Read more about becoming an AAS Member and apply here.

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their expressions of interest by Friday 25 July 2025.