Between April and October 2025 we are being supported by the Youth Arts Open Fund to deliver creative sessions for young people.

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We are taking an 'open studio' approach, where a number of artists will be on hand covering a range of bases, from music production to DJing, visual art and photography.

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On a referral basis, artists will work 1-1 with individuals to develop their skill sets and increase their confidence in 6 week blocks.  We are grateful to be accessing Elgin Yoga Studio for this work, which provides a private, cool and calming space.  Please get in touch if you want to find out more.

Over 2024/2025, MADE is supporting it's third cohort of early year creatives; Amy, Dawn, Jen, Kat and Leah.

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Year 1 and 2 focused on graduates but we have adapted the programme to meet the needs of the sector; the reality is, there are individuals looking to build a business or an arts/creative offering inspired out with formal education.  The programme aims to build a strong peer network across art-forms and experience, whilst increasing confidence and capacity to forward plan through group workshops and 1-1 tailored development opportunities - each programme is different depending on cohort wants, needs and synergies. Funded through Creative Scotland Open Fund.

Local family run business, Elgin Truck and Van Centre, turns 30 years old this year!

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In a first for MADE, we are working alongside a very different company in a very different capacity - to help pull together the story of this incredible journey and to publicly celebrate everything it has achieved.  With a team of local creatives we will generate oral history, photography, film and digitise archival material for the family to house on their business website and to share on social media.

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We are hoping this will provide an exemplar of how businesses and third sector can collaborate - watch this space.

Since 2020 MADE has had ambitions to develop a creative community space in Elgin.  Somewhere to house an art gallery, a making space and additional rooms to host other creative organisations and/or individuals.  ​This is now moving in the direction of becoming a reality, as we are working with others to realise this project through the Levelling Up initiative as supported by the Government.  The old Gordon Arms Hotel on Elgin High Street is the proposed site.  ​This building is well loved. It holds lots of history and we want to preserve that heritage as things develop.  We are doing so through ongoing community engagement supported by Historic Environment Scotland. Hear and see more on Vimeo.

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Hosted by Moray Wellbeing Hub, this network is a collection of partners from the community of Moray (and immediate surrounding areas) who are researching what works well in creating mental wealth in Moray through the co-creation of solutions and community-driven action.  

Our network’s defining feature is the mobilisation of knowledge held by Moray’s diverse rural community to create and sustain mental wealth for all. By connecting, empowering, and supporting collaboration across the network, we will continue to explore, test and assess new approaches which will stimulate community engagement in research.

You can find out more here: Community Research Network

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This year sees the second iteration of our coaching based development programme for creatives in Moray, MADE for Moving Forward.  ​In collaboration with Ellipsis Coaching, eight practitioners are part of this years cohort, which aims to build networks and individual direction through group and individual coaching.

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We are delighted to be working with Carol, Claire, Debbie, Gail, Jenny, Jette, June and Moira.  This wonderful group represent an array of art forms too - from dancing to textiles, theatre to visual and music!

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Funded by Creative Scotland Open Fund.

In 2024, MADE began working with the Local Employability Partnership (LEP).  Our contract is to trial the potential of a 'Creativity Skills Network' for Moray, which looks to bridge a gap between those seeking work, training or further study with their creative interests and potential.  This might be 1-1 sessions with an artist to increase digital literacy or establish a portfolio for college, to group workshops that support working in new dynamics and meeting new people.  We are able to provide work for freelance artists whilst making creative activity more accessible for those working with the Employability Team at Moray Council and the wider LEP.

The impact of 2024/25 can be seen here and we look forward to what 2025/26 will bring.

M:ADE are one of four partners (DanceNorth Scotland, Moray Way Association & Wildbird) that make up the AIM Collective.  We are in our third phase of funding through the national Culture Collective progamme.  As part of this have delivered artist residencies in Cullen and Dufftown, expanded on our 'I wish somebody told me...' project focused on the female experience, and supported preliminary research for Jen Upson, which explored the relationship between creative and counselling practice.  Across 2025, through the AIM Collective, we will continue to work with the justice social team at the Polytunnel in Elgin, supporting those in the service.

We have a number of podcasts that explore AIM and these projects stored on our Soundcloud.

Street artist Duncan Wilson is leading the co-curation of a new mural for the Cooper Park Sports Pavilion.

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A group of self-selected young people have come forward to work with Duncan, supported by Robin - Moray Council Sports Development - and Moray Wellbeing Hub.

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The group will learn about the history and culture of graffiti whilst exploring potential ways to cover the public building in a way that engages the public in a positive and uplifting way.

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The big reveal is due to happen in Summer 2025...

Earlier this year, we worked with Helen Avenell Heritage Associates on community engagement activities linked with the Forres Heritage and Conservation Scheme.  This led to MADE becoming involved in further consultancy roles, all of which aim to represent community voices in large-scale capital developments.  These projects include the redevelopment of Leanchoil Hospital in Forres and the new Museum of Aberdeenshire building in Peterhead.  Through these opportunities we continue our work with Helen, and also with Caroline Inkle and Graeme Roger.  This work feels quite invisible from a public facing point of view but it all helps MADE remain aware and active within wider strategic contexts.