Even Here, Even Now: Meet Our Artist Advocates

The focus of these has been about the artists and the communities, while encouraging skill sharing and connection across the island groups. The 4 organisations are working together to develop a plan for the ongoing support of islands based creatives and organisations.

Working together on the next stage of the funding, which has a focus on legacy, we advertised for 5 roles to ensure the visibility and progression of Even Here, Even Now - a manifesto celebrating island-based arts, their impact and advocates for transformative change. Written by artists from Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles, the manifesto calls for Policy Makers and Stakeholders to make change.

These 5 freelance roles (1x Communications and Advocacy Lead & 4x Artist Advocates) were advertised on Creative Scotland opportunities page as well as through each organisation. The selection panel consisted of a representative from each of the 4 island arts organisations.

We recently appointed these roles to successful applicants - find out more about each of them below!

Andrew Eaton-Lewis – Communications and Advocacy Lead

Andrew Eaton-Lewis has worked in the arts in Scotland for over 20 years, as a producer, events programmer, media consultant, musician, and arts journalist. Since moving to the Outer Hebrides in 2018 he has worked for An Lanntair arts centre in various roles from directing the annual Hebridean Dark Skies Festival to co-ordinating the venue's artist support and Culture Collective programmes. In 2018 he founded Lewis-based arts company, sruth-mara, whose most recent show, Precious Cargo, had a three week run at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe following a sold out premiere at An Lanntair, and has also been developing new arts projects for the Mental Health Foundation since 2014. He is passionate about supporting and championing artists and looking forward to advocating for island-based artists on a national level through this new role.

AJ Stockwell - Artist Advocate (Reporting to Taigh Chearsabagh)

AJ Stockwell is an artist based in North Uist. Their practice focuses on the relationship between human and more-than-human bodies, exploring how this can materialise through fictional narratives, objects and rituals.

"I'm looking forward to working with my fellow Artist Advocates and learning from the perspectives of artists working in different islands. I believe cross conversation between artist communities can lead to a rich and meaningful legacy for this project, which champions island practices and their unique position in the arts ecology of Scotland."

Jane Matthews - Artist Advocate (Reporting to Shetland Arts)

Jane is a creative producer and artist-illustrator based in Shetland, with over fifteen years’ experience working with Shetland Arts to deliver exhibitions and special projects.

"I’m looking forward to working with Shetland Arts again to advocate for our island artists, alongside those in Orkney and the Western Isles. Now, more than ever, is the time to support creative practice in our communities, given resources are stretched and funding opportunities are limited. I’m excited to link up with artists and partners across the network."

Aine King - Artist Advocate (Reporting to Pier Arts Centre)

"I am a London-Irish playwright, artist and storyteller now living in Orkney. A lot of my writing is based on real-life experiences of working-class people, especially women. My storytelling owes a lot to my grandmothers, one Irish, one cockney. My climate crisis play, Burning Bright, won the 2023 David MacLennan Award and was produced at Óran Mor and The Traverse. I'm looking forward to enabling lots of creatives to make connections and build networks through this project."

Bronwyn MacKenzie - Artist Advocate (Reporting to An Lanntair)

"My practice explores the extraordinary experience of natural phenomena. Using scientific processes and fine art methodologies, I traverse these natural occurrences with an enquiring mind. The work becomes a form of documentation, accurately collecting data through the expanded field of drawing, sound, and multidisciplinary practice.

I’m elated to be a part of the Even Here Even Now project, as an Artist Advocate. I’m looking forward to engaging with the creative community in Western Isles, but also starting the dialogue across other islands."

Even Here, Even Now's creators include Helen Robertson and Barry Nisbet from Shetland, Sandra Kennedy from the Western Isles, as well as Jamilla Garrett, Arwen Haselden and Niamh Haselden from Orkney.

Kathryn Gordon, Creative Project Mananger at Shetland Arts, managed the project with support from Carol Dunbar from Pier Arts Centre, in collaboration with An Lanntair and Taigh-Chearsabhagh. The project was made possible through funding from Culture Collective.