Case Studies: Supporting Projects
Cultural Documentation & Fieldwork in Aberdeenshire
The Problem
Aberdeenshire Council's Museum of Aberdeenshire sought a company to deliver their Cultural Tides Oral History Project: an initiative they had designed together with the Garioch Heritage Centre in Inverurie to capture the stories of local people. They required a company with experience in qualitative data gathering, cultural documentation and research processes who had all the necessary equipment, capacity, and skills to deliver the project in a compressed timeline.
The Solution
Together with the Garioch Heritage Centre team and Council staff, we created a project plan that would deliver the project on time and within budget. The work required: clarifying shared aims of the project; liaising with the contributors and Heritage Centre to create relevant interview guides; advising on, and thinking through, ethical considerations; conducting the filmed interviews; transcribing the interviews; and ensuring prior and informed consent of all involved.
The Organisation Said:
"Expressing Scotland has played a pivotal role in facilitating the creation of an excellent foundation on which to develop our much sought-after Oral History Archive. We brought enthusiasm and potential contributors to our joint venture; Simon [Director] brought not only technical expertise and consummate professionalism, but also first rate people skills and a genuine understanding of the importance of precision planning and communication. As the last recording session ended, everyone involved instinctively sensed it was a job well done. Their belief in Simon was well-founded. The work he has done for us has been first rate." Joan Bruce, Director, Garioch Heritage Centre
Case Studies: Supporting Projects
Curation, Programming, and Stage Management for Dundee City Council
Image credit: Ando Glaso
The Problem
Dundee City Council produces two prominent outdoor winter events in the centre of the city: the Christmas Lights Switch On event and the Hooley, a cultural celebration of St Andrew. They required additional specialist support to programme, advance, schedule, and stage manage both live stage programmes.
The Solution
In 2025, Expressing Scotland worked with the Council to programme, schedule, advance, and stage manage the main stages at both events, and has been contracted to provide the same service in 2026.
Case Studies: Supporting Projects
Curation, Programming, and Stage Management of the
Tall Ships Races Live Daytime Programme for Aberdeen City Council
The Problem
In anticipation of what would be the largest family-friendly festival in Europe of 2025 (attracting around 500,000 people), Aberdeen City Council needed a specialist company to lead on the curation, advancing, and stage management of the live daytime stage programme across three stages over four days.
The Solution
We worked with the Council to devise and agree a programme vision that showcased the artistic landscape, past and present, of the region. This vision shaped the curation of the project, and drawing on our vast network of contacts, we contracted, scheduled, and managed 51 acts comprising 646 performers. Acts included bands, choirs, storytellers, street theatre, bubble artists, circus people, dancers, and more. The event was widely and highly praised in the press, by the Council, and by those who took part.
The Organisation Said:
"Simon [Director] is an outstanding professional who brings a wealth of expertise in cultural programming and planning. Working with Expressing Scotland is always a joy, as they consistently demonstrate professionalism, creativity, and dedication. I have no hesitation in recommending them and look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with them again in the near future." Stephen O'Neill, Aberdeen City Council Events Manager and Tall Ships Lead
Case Studies: Supporting Projects
Fundraising, Programming, and Stage Management for Aberdeen Mela
The Problem
Aberdeen Multicultural Centre, the organisation that produces the longstanding Aberdeen Mela, required support in two areas. Firstly, they needed to raise money in order to be able to stage the Mela, and secondly, they required additional capacity in stage programming and management.
The Solution
We helped the Mela organising committee to write successful application to the local council and to Creative Scotland to fund the event. Once the budget was in place, we worked with the Mela Lead to identify, programme, and stage manage a line-up of multicultural acts.
The Organisation Said:
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Expressing Scotland CIC for their invaluable support in the development and execution of the Aberdeen Mela. Their technical expertise in programming was instrumental in shaping our event, ensuring a seamless and high-quality experience for all attendees. Furthermore, their professional guidance and support with the funding application process was crucial in helping us secure the necessary resources to bring this vibrant celebration of culture to life. We truly appreciate their dedication and commitment to fostering cultural diversity in Scotland and look forward to future collaborations." Ahashan Habib, General Manager and Mela Lead, Aberdeen Multicultural Centre