About The Touring Network
The Touring Network exists to see rural touring be a central, celebrated and indispensable part of the cultural life of Scotland. We encourage live performances of the highest level, and support people as promoters, performers and audiences to create vibrant places to live, work and visit.
Our network is made up of a diverse mix of people and organisations from volunteer promoters, village hall committees, pub landlords, school teachers, and professional programmers, to theatre makers and producers, dance artists, musicians, agents and about-to-hit-the-road performers.
Our members’ venues are scattered across a region which covers half the land mass of Scotland, stretching from Shetland to Campbeltown, and our performer members are both situated in and out of this region. Whilst we are geographically spread – we are a network closely connected by our cohesive vision for better access to remarkable live performances across rural Scotland.
Connect
We provide a forum for promoters across the Highlands & Islands to connect and network, sharing knowledge, skills and resources. We develop relationships between promoters, performers and communities, to make performances vibrant and fulfilling experiences for everyone.
Represent
We work on behalf of our members and alongside partner organisations to strengthen and support the rural touring ecology as a whole and and to ensure that touring and promoting remain accessible and relevant to all.
Support
We provide help, advice and training for those involved in putting on professional performing arts events in small-scale venues. Whether you are putting on your first ever show or have been running events for years, we are here to provide help and support.
Programme
We are committed to bringing live performances of the highest quality to all areas of the Highlands and Islands. Through our Supported Programme we are able to support performances in under-represented geographic areas and genres.
VISION
Every Scottish community, however small, has an essential and vibrant cultural life; one that is locally rooted, nationaly supported and internationally recognised..
MISSION
To inspire and enable those who deliver remarkable performances in rural and island communities – connecting people and transforming places.
OBJECTIVES
Grow a strong, diverse and well informed membership and encourage a ‘learning and sharing’ network culture
Support the development and touring of all genres of high quality live performance within the Highlands and Islands region
Connect audiences to high quality live performance in the region
Connect, communicate and inform the activities, needs and outcomes of our members to the sector and beyond.
Increase organisational resilience
Who We Are
The Touring Network is managed by a strong core team made up of Claire Mackay (Co-Director – Marketing & Development) and Rhiannon McIntyre (Co-Director – Operations and Development) and Bronwen Nixon (Network Development Coordinator).
Rhiannon McIntyre
Co- Director- Operations & Development
Rhiannon leads the strategic management and practical delivery of all operations of the organisation, as well as providing business leadership to realise The Touring Network’s vision. An advocate for community development through events, and believes in the transformative power of live performance.
Prior to joining the team, Rhiannon was a classically-trained flautist and music tutor, worked in tourism, hospitality and events, toured Europe with NoFit State Circus, and was part of the team behind the Insider Festival. Her key skills lie in project and event management, with a particular geekiness for finances and budgets, and strives to keep things simple, genuine, and under control.
Claire Mackay
Co- Director- Marketing & Development
Claire brings strong campaign management, experience of multi-channel communications and a passion for supporting others in their own marketing activities!
Before joining the team in August 2017, Claire was involved in the music industry – Artist development via management and running micro label Hits The Fan Records. She released Frightened Rabbit’s debut album in 2006, then had a 7 year hiatus project managing in the tourism sector, before returning to the music industry to release and develop now award-winning artist Kathryn Joseph (who toured with The Touring Network as a performer on the inaugural GET IN tour).
BRONWEN NIXON
Network Development Coordinator
Bronwen’s role is to make sure that all our rural members are kept connected and feel supported by listening to all of their needs and providing access to all of our services!
Before she joined us in April 2019, Bronwen co-founded two successful event production companies; Only Skin Theatre and Stomping Ground Events, both of which focused on providing a platform for emerging artists. She is involved with a range of international multi-art event production teams. Alongside this, she provides accessible music workshops to children with the Soundsystems youth project. Her academic research highlighted the importance of artistic spaces as an integral part of society and community development.
how we operate
We care about the environment and work in ways which help to minimise our carbon footprint; we are a paperless, digital first organisation which operates a remote working model – reducing office overheads and the impact of daily commuting for staff. We calculate our carbon omissions and work with our partner, Trees for Life to offset our environmental impact.
If you are touring in the Highlands and Islands and want to know how you can help offset your impact please get in touch.
DELIVERY PARTNERS
The core team is currently supported by the following partners, associates and contractors:
WEBSITE BUILD & DESIGN
PROJECTS & SERVICES
BRAW
Lisa Baxter from The Experience Business
Kate Wieteska
Current Board
- Rhona Dougall, Co-ordinator at Theatre Gu Leòr / Freelance Creative Producer
- Simon Hart, Business & Development Director, Taigh
- Chearsabhagh (Chair)
- Laura Johnstone, Dancer / Choreographer / Teacher
- Joseph Peach, Musician & FST Membership and Events Assistant
- Dr. Suzi Macpherson, Senior Researcher at Scottish Parliament
- David Ross, Associate Accountant at Mackay and Co
- John Saich, promoter at Craignish Village Hall
- Kenny Taylor, promoter at Resolis Community Arts
- Liz Taylor, HR Consultant
- Alasdair Wright, former promoter at West Coast Arts
We are currently on the look out for new board members to join us. Find out more here.
We are also always on the look out for additional associates. If you would like to be considered, please get in touch.