What is thePROJECT?

thePROJECT is an interim process of small, viral, organic events during 2009 & 2010, building to the possibility of a larger festival of arts, culture & faith (inspired by, but not exactly imitating Greenbelt and other similar events)  in 2011.

Any such any future large festival event has no clear or predetermined shape or consensus about its form, length, breadth, geography or season.  Whatever we end up, will arise from this series of small gatherings (each very different in form and content) during 2009 & 2010, and was inspired initially by the spirit of Greenbelt, but also would learn from other Scottish & European models such as Street Level, Carberry Festival, Kirchentag, Edinburgh Festival, The Mod and Celtic Connections. We’re magpies at heart!

The ‘interfaces of engagement’ will be primarily those mapped out by the likes of the above events and others:
arts – faith – theology – ecology – politics –philosophy – spirituality – justice
…or basically celebration, inspiration, irreverence, profundity, laughter, tears, questions, argument, friendship, shivers up the spine – add your own noun to the list.

Who might like it?

thePROJECT is for those interested in a deliberate exploration of the arts, culture and faith.  We hope to make it a comfortable place for insiders, outsiders and maybe especially those at the margins of the church.

thePROJECT will be primarily be adult (young and not so young), but importantly,  there will be an inclusive provision for children and families, to the extent resources allow.

Who are thePROJECT steering group?

EWAN AITKEN…  minister and politician, his name appears on the Edinburgh City Council motion as the proposer of the tram project.

GRAEME BROOKS… youth worker & director of Youth For Christ (Scotland), has fallen 1500ft (or was it metres?) off a mountain and survived.

SARAH BROWN… another perpetual student, 5th child and at an early age discovered that paper is softer than concrete.

STEVE BUTLER… musician, ex-priest (Piskie), music producer of children’s & other music, appeared in a non-speaking role in early episode of Dr.Findlay’s Casebook.

AILEEN CAMPBELL… visual & sound artist & teacher (photography), has sung with a popcorn machine.

JOHN CROSS… teacher of religious & Moral Education, was present onstage at the recording of Billy Connolly’s first live album.

DOUG GAY… lecturer in Practical Theology at Glasgow University, who, at the tender age of 8 and a half, thought the Rapture had come, and he’d been left behind.

MARY-ANN KENNEDY… musician & broadcaster, got married live on radio, on the very spot where she met her husband.

GRAHAM MAULE… art student & Wild Goose Resource Group worker, proud owner of a Blue Peter badge.

SCOTT PAGET… youth worker with Salvation Army, has featured on page 3 of the Sun.

DOT REID… law student & lecturer, musician, an eternal student who (claims) once met Sting.

NICK THORPE… writer and journalist, turned 30 on a slowly-sinking boat made of reeds in the middle of the Pacific.

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