Toonspeak is one of twenty six organisations awarded funding by Creative Scotland as part of the Culture Collective national programme, which has established a network of creative practitioners, organisations and communities, working together to create a positive difference locally and nationally in response to COVID-19.The Culture Collective project for Toonspeak is based in Ward 17 (Springburn /Balornock / Barmulloch / Robroyston / Millerston), in the North of Glasgow. A quarter of the datazones in Ward 17 are among the 5% most deprived datazones in Scotland. Therefore a crucial element of the programme is that the artists engaged are  passionate about using the arts to empower communities who face challenges of multiple deprivation, and to improve the lives of individuals. Artists are trained and supported to see themselves as part of the community and we will capitalise on the expertise and knowledge of partners to support the creative team with a deep understanding of the social, cultural and historical landscape in which this project will take place.

The Culture Collective programme is supported by six partners who form the core steering group. Each of these organisations have extensive track records of delivery, links in the community and key expertise to offer the Culture Collective Programme. Our partners are; Barmulloch Community Development Company, Spirit of Springburn, Tron St Mary’s, Wallacewell Community Fellowship, North Glasgow Integration Network, and Early Years Scotland.

The Culture Collective workshops are free for all participants and is a mixed art form programme involving children, young people, and adults.

Outcomes achieved in year one:

10 community groups involved in Culture Collective creative and artistic experiences.
148 people involved in Culture Collective creative and artistic experiences.
3, 428 attendees involved in Culture Collective creative and artistic experiences.
300 people involved in the Culture Collective celebration event.
11 artists involved in delivering the Culture Collective programme.

100% of Culture Collective participants have increased their confidence.
96% of Culture Collective participants note an improvement in skills development.
100% of Culture Collective participants have improved wellbeing.

We are now in year two and are focusing on the following areas of work:

Early Years work
Training
Working with our partners to develop arts hubs

Films of year one:

Full film:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLsWjyqvNhs&t=7s

Summary film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVkge8PDWjc

Find out more: https://toonspeak.co.uk/