A week of free workshops marking the launch of a major arts organisation’s north-east base began yesterday.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s (RCS) North East Hub is showcasing its work at Fraserburgh Academy.
It comes ahead of the official opening on Friday, which will be marked with a show called Rovin’ Tales performed by youngsters involved in this week’s events.
The RCS project is being delivered in partnership by Aberdeenshire Council and supported by Creative Scotland.
It will be made up of a number of community projects for young people in music, drama, film and production.
As well as their new initiative, RCS will offer their Junior Conservatoire courses in traditional music and acting, which involved weekly tuition for young who aspire to study and work full-time in the performing arts.
RCS North East Hub coordinator Claudia Smith said the organisation is “excited” about the scheme coming to fruition.
She said: “It is great for RCS and we think it is going to be fantastic.
“It will reach beyond the central belt and further up the country.
“We are really excited about that.
“We are trying to give a bit more opportunity over a wider geographical spread and reach those who might not otherwise have access to something like this.”
RCS Principal Professor Jeffrey Sharkey said: “The RCS North East Arts Hub is an exciting new initiative that enables us to put creativity and arts education at the centre of local communities, as well as identifying and helping to develop the next generation of performing artists and cultural leaders from across Scotland.”
Councillor Anne Stirling, chairwoman of the communities committee, said the local authority was “proud” to be involved.
She said: “We are proud to be working with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on the North East Arts Hub, an exciting and innovative project, which will give young people fantastic experiences.”
Rovin’ Tales will be performed around the north-east on Friday at Duff House in Banff at 10.30am, Drummers Corner in Peterhead at 1.30pm and finally at the Dalrymple Hall in Fraserburgh at 5.30pm.