Words by Jenny Watson
Photos Courtesy of Clifftop Projects
There’s no shortage of creative talent in West Dunbartonshire – it just doesn’t get the chance to shine too often.
In 2021 local creative social enterprise Clifftop Projects decided to change this with their Nurturing Talent programme.
Funded by Creative Scotland, the initiative offered grants up to £1,000 for young people from West Dunbartonshire to follow their creative dreams.
With an application process designed and managed by Clifftop’s Youth Advisory Board, they funded a diverse mix of young creative talents with 39 of the 60 applicants receiving awards.
Clifftop Projects Director, Lottie Barker, explained: “Talents of all kind were included in the application forms from art supplies to desks for creating on at home, to dance classes, attending music competitions, instruments, recording an album, digital drawing tools and software, classes at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and so much more.”
Showcase Extravaganza
At the end of the project I had the pleasure of attending the ‘Nurturing Talent Fund Showcase,’ not quite knowing what to expect.
After Lottie’s warm and fun welcome speech, the lights were dimmed, then 15-year-old Sophie Ramsey took to the stage.
With a mic in hand, she proceeded to astound the captivated audience with her stunning version of Adele’s ‘To Be Loved’.
Sophie is using her funds for singing and recording sessions.
“I was surprised and happy to find out my application was successful.
“I have only been singing for four years and didn’t think I would get it,” she told me.
The WOW Factor
Sophie wasn’t the only one with the WOW factor in the room that night.
Thomas Lawrence, 21, learned of the fund through his neighbour and hoped his take on ‘Cinderella’ would intrigue the judging panel.
“I was thrilled to find out I had been successful two months before my project was due to start. I used the funding to buy props for my show.”
Also performing on the evening was 20-year-old Tabby Weir.
She read an excerpt from her short film script based on a case of two missing boys in the Glasgow
Gorbals in the 1950s and the mass hysteria that ensued.
Tabby heard about the fund while attending Clifftop’s weekly Art Hub in Castlehill.
“It’s great to have been able to do something creative thanks to the funding,” she said.
A Variety of Performance
Tabby’s brother Ezlan, 17, also successfully applied.
After his performance of his horror based podcast – with live sound effects – it’s clear to see why the Youth Advisory board granted his application.
Nicola McFall received funding to create ‘Time 2 Move,’ a movement-based creative stimulus, while Freya Smith used her award to purchase a gimble for her videographer work.
And as a result of their successful applications the pair are now collaborating on a new film project.
It was inspiring and hopeful to meet and hear about all the young people involved with the Nurturing Talent fund.
West Dunbartonshire is often underestimated and overlooked for the talent within its bounds, these exceptionally artistic and innovative souls prove what we all know – WD is bursting at the seams with creativity!