Letters / The arts matter
I am writing to show support for the work of people, organisations and groups that work to support the arts in Shetland, including Shetland Arts.
In a very difficult funding environment, they have worked hard to support arts initiatives across the islands, bringing new expertise and ideas here and exporting the energy and ideas for which the islands are known.
In particular, organisations such as Shetland Arts can make exciting things happen, can help groups like ours thrive, and can ultimately keep people living here and moving back.
An arts agency can create interesting jobs, and can help young people to stay on in the islands.
I moved to Shetland ten years ago as a young singer and have been very lucky to move from running an arts café in Yell, the Wind Dog Café, to running an organisation dedicated to music and textiles education and training.
We are trying to help our local area develop and thrive by using art and craft to bring new ideas in, boost our local economy and help people to continue to live in the islands by providing creative opportunities to get together.
We could not do what we do without the support of others.
In these difficult economic times it is now more important than ever that we have an agency that is dedicated to supporting art and craft in Shetland.
Creative people contribute economically and socially to the islands. It is hard to quantify the benefit that the arts bring to places, but when people are asked why they move to an area, culture plays a significant part in their decision.
It is important that we all work together to support art and craft in Shetland. Together we are stronger than we are apart.
I would like to offer my support to Shetland Arts and what they are trying to do, and I look forward to working closely with them and with many other groups and individuals across Shetland to help ensure that the arts in Shetland can grow and continue to be world-class and cutting edge.
Andy Ross
Creative Director
GlobalYell Ltd
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