Our Big Gig returns with free music events in communities across Scotland from 11-13th July 2014
Grants and support available for event organisers who wish to programme community events in their areas
Our Big Gig, the UK’s largest community music festival is to return in 2014 from 11th to 13th July, Superact has announced today. Community organisations will soon be urged to apply for an Our Big Gig grant to organise an event.
Funded by Creative Scotland as part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme, Our Big Gig will see Scotland unite to celebrate local music at community events, showcase new and existing talent and give people the opportunity to have a go at making music.
Last summer, over 200,000 people attended 326 Our Big Gig events across the UK which saw a wide variety of musical activities take place in a range of unusual spaces. From schools to skate parks, beaches to boats, some 14,600 people performed across the length and breadth of the country.
For 2014, all types of community organisations are being urged to apply to put on an event in their local area and bring together diverse groups of people through music. Be it a sports club, faith group or another, all successful applicants receive grant funding of £500 and event management training is provided.
Organised by music and arts organisation Superact, Our Big Gig grew from the Bandstand Marathon; an iconic London 2012 festival event that helped close the London Games with 9000 people across Britain simultaneously performing Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’.
Katharine Lane, Director at Superact added:
“Our Big Gig is a fantastic opportunity for organisations to put on a musical event in their community and reach out to people that they may not yet know.
“While Superact has been running community music events across the UK for years, we never cease to be amazed at the unifying power of music.
“We’re looking forward to receiving event applications from across the country and would encourage as many people as possible to apply before 28th May”
The call for Our Big Gig Scotland applications will open on the 5th May. For more information visit www.ourbiggig.co.uk and fill out the online form.
Deadline for applications – 28th May 2014
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Superact – Superact is a not-for-profit CIC that uses music and the arts to develop and deliver social impact projects in the UK and abroad. Working in the key impact areas of community development, justice and health and wellbeing, Superact creatively improves lives by empowering individuals and strengthening communities.
www.superact.org.uk
Our Big Gig
Our Big Gig is an annual event that brings communities together to celebrate their local musical talents and get more people involved in music making.
The summer event will run from 11th to the 13th July 2014
www.ourbiggig.co.uk
Our Big Gig EXTRA
Our Big Gig EXTRA offers longer term community music making opportunities to specific communities.
In 2013, projects ran in Bristol, Leicester, Knowsley, Blackburn with Darwen, Birmingham, Bradford, Luton, Middlesbrough, and the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Westminster.
http://www.superact.org.uk/ourbiggig/obg-extra
Part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme
The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is a national celebration. Culture 2014 will showcase dance, theatre, music, visual arts, comedy and much more in the run up to and after the Commonwealth Games, with Festival 2014 transforming the Host City at Games time. The Cultural Programme is a partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Glasgow Life, and Creative Scotland through National Lottery funding.
Contact Information – Photos, info & interviews
For general enquiries about Our Big Gig and Superact, contact:
Nick Roberts at nickr@superact.org.uk or 0117 2140366 / 07966224375
http://www.superact.org.uk/ourbiggig/
Jennifer McGlone
Project Manager (Scotland)
Superact CIC
c/o Glow Arts
Barras Art and Design
Unit 3
54 Calton Way
Glasgow
G40 2SB
t: + 44 (0) 141 237 4270
m: + 44 (0) 7900413314
Tweet us @superact_uk