Artistic Director and Chief Executive, December
Looking Back, Moving Forward: December at An Tobar and Mull Theatre
As the year draws to a close, the past month has been one of reflection, hard work, and hope for the future at An Tobar and Mull Theatre. It’s a time of both challenge and opportunity, and as always, the incredible dedication of our team and supporters keeps me optimistic about what’s ahead.
This month, I’ve been working closely with Sue, our Chair of Trustees, to finalise our annual accounts. This year has presented unique challenges, particularly due to delays in Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Funding decisions, caused by wider uncertainties in the Scottish Government’s budget. These delays have naturally raised questions from our auditors about An Tobar and Mull Theatre’s status as a ‘going concern.’ It’s a sobering situation, but we’ve been proactive in putting every possible plan in place to ensure we’re ready to move forward in the best possible position when decisions are announced in January.
On a more positive note, I was heartened to see that the recent Scottish budget included additional funding for culture, with £54 million allocated by Creative Scotland for its Multi-Year Funding programme. This is an encouraging sign of support for the arts, and I remain hopeful that with a fair funding level from Creative Scotland, we will not only sustain our work but continue to flourish as a vital cultural hub in the Hebrides.
Amid the financial planning and strategic work, I’ve also been finding joy in the creative side of my role. I’ve been making plans to offer pottery workshops and drop-in sessions at An Tobar next year. My own practice as a potter has always been a source of immense happiness and grounding for me, and I’m excited to share that experience with as many people as possible. Whether someone is trying pottery for the first time or reigniting an old passion, I hope these workshops will spark the same joy I’ve found in working with clay.
Meanwhile, our development projects are progressing beautifully. The new production suite and writers’ residency facilities are taking shape, thanks in no small part to Louise, our Production Manager, whose design and project management skills have been invaluable. We’re deeply grateful to the Charlotte Aitken Trust for funding this work, which will allow us to nurture creativity and offer even more to our community and visiting artists.
On a personal note, I’m looking forward to spending some downtime with my family over the Christmas period. This year has brought its share of personal loss, and after a series of bereavements, the importance of being with loved ones feels all the more profound. I’m reminded to treasure these moments of connection, especially during this season of goodwill.
As we prepare to turn the page on 2024, I want to extend my warmest wishes to everyone who has supported us this year. May your festive season be filled with joy, rest, and togetherness, and may 2025 bring hope and prosperity to us all. Thank you for being part of our journey—we couldn’t do this without you.
Artistic Director and Chief Executive, November
A Month of Reflection, Planning, and New Beginnings at An Tobar and Mull Theatre
As we near the end of the year, there’s a palpable sense of excitement—and a little nostalgia—in the air here at An Tobar and Mull Theatre. This past month has been all about preparing for the future while celebrating our community, creativity, and the legacy of those who have made a lasting impact on the arts in Mull.
One of our major projects involves temporarily closing our buildings over the winter to make way for some exciting developments. Over the next few months, our facilities will undergo a transformation to create a new writer’s residency space, a library, a production studio, and a sensory space. These additions will help us expand our artistic offerings and better serve our community in the years to come. Working alongside our Technical and Buildings Manager, Louise, has been incredibly rewarding. Her meticulous planning and scheduling will ensure that these improvements go smoothly. I’ve also had the pleasure of collaborating with Calum, our Visual Arts Curator, to select the winning artist for our mural commission—a project that will bring vibrant new life to one of our spaces.
Beyond the renovations, I've been connecting directly with our community by offering free pottery lessons from the small studio we’ve set up at An Tobar. Sharing my craft with others has been deeply fulfilling. This month was especially poignant, as I attended the funeral of Pete Walker, affectionately known as "Pete the Potter." When I first arrived on Mull, Pete welcomed me warmly, offering me space in his studio at Mull Pottery until I could establish my own. His generosity and kindness left a lasting mark on me, and I feel privileged to carry his spirit forward by teaching others. Looking ahead, we’re planning to offer formal pottery workshops next year, so keep an eye out for those opportunities.
This month also took me to Birnam Arts for a conference on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), co-sponsored by TRACS, Creative Scotland, and Museums and Galleries Scotland. For those unfamiliar, ICH refers to the practices, expressions, and knowledge passed down through generations—everything from storytelling to traditional crafts. Now that Scotland has adopted UNESCO’s convention on ICH, it’s more important than ever that An Tobar and Mull Theatre, as the only producing arts centre in the Hebrides, plays a significant role in this national conversation. I’m eager to explore how our work can preserve and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our region.
Of course, it wouldn’t be autumn at An Tobar without a bit of festivity. Our end-of-season staff party was a night to remember, featuring a delicious curry from The Spice of Mull and a brilliantly crafted quiz by team members Eug and Scott. I was on pudding duty and made a crumble with local apples kindly harvested by Lucille from our café team. Nothing like sharing a meal to bring everyone together and reflect on all we’ve accomplished.
Lastly, I’ve been collaborating with our General Manager Karen and the café team to plan an improved menu for spring. We’re working on hearty, home-cooked dishes and flavours that you won’t find anywhere else on Mull.
As we prepare for this new chapter, I’m filled with gratitude for our team, our supporters, and everyone who makes An Tobar and Mull Theatre a vibrant cultural hub. Here’s to a bright future!
Artistic Director and Chief Executive, October
October has been quite the whirlwind, filled with travel, planning, and inspiring meetings – but I’ve come back to Mull energised and ready for the months ahead. It’s always good to take stock of everything that’s been happening, so here’s a little update on what I’ve been up to this month at An Tobar and Mull Theatre.
Firstly, the big news across the arts sector has been the delay in Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Funding announcement. Originally, we were expecting the details this autumn, but due to ongoing uncertainty around the Scottish Government’s budget, it’s been pushed back until the end of January. For us, that means adjusting our plans for next year. I’ve been developing a few contingency ideas to ensure that our artistic programme stays as flexible as possible. We may need to delay or restructure some projects, but we’re approaching this with optimism and creativity. It’s a challenging moment, but also an opportunity to think more dynamically about how we continue delivering great work, no matter the circumstances.
Closer to home, I’ve been meeting with several brilliant individuals who are potential new trustees for AT&MT. It’s vital for our organisation to have trustees with specialist skills, particularly as we look ahead to a period of growth and development. I’m excited about the possibility of bringing new expertise onto the board and look forward to their appointments. Having a strong team of trustees behind us is one of the most important factors in our ongoing success, and it’s a real pleasure to meet people who share our vision for the future of the arts on Mull.
In a more personal but equally thrilling update, I’ve just returned from two weeks in Marseille, attending the Actoral Festival as part of a British Council project aimed at building stronger cultural ties between the UK and France. The festival was a fantastic experience. I had the chance to meet an incredible range of international artists and see some really inspiring work. One of the most interesting aspects was comparing the structure of French arts organisations with what we’re used to in the UK. They face many of the same challenges, but with different approaches, which gave me some new perspectives. And of course, I can’t deny that the sunshine, excellent food, and French wine were all very welcome bonuses. I’ve come back to Mull feeling refreshed and inspired for the winter ahead!
Lastly, I had the honour of attending my Clore Leadership Fellowship graduation in London this month. It was wonderful to reconnect with my fellow Fellows and celebrate the end of our journey together. On top of that, I attended Clore Leadership’s 21st birthday celebration, which brought together some of the most exciting and influential figures in the UK’s cultural sector. It was a joy to be part of that, and it left me feeling even more committed to pushing forward bold, creative leadership in the arts.
So, it’s been a busy month! I’m looking forward to settling back into life on Mull and getting stuck into planning all the brilliant things we’ve got lined up for next year. Watch this space—there’s lots to look forward to!