July 2004 ArtsFolk: Lucy Conway

“I’d done drama at college and was working on the technical side of theatre but when I moved to the Highlands there was very little work so I did general admin, project management and all sorts of self-employed stuff for Eden Court and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to do with the arts.”

Lucy is now the Co-ordinator for Channel 4’s IDEASFACTORY Scotland, and is certainly making things happen.

“Well, things are definitely more vibrant now than they were a few years ago. Confidence is growing and the arts community is becoming more outward looking as they realise that they are getting recognition from the rest of the world. There are a lot of talented people here.

“The creative industries represent a much greater percentage of the businesses in the Highlands and Islands than ever before, with people of all ages – but particularly young people – deciding that they want to make their living by being creative. There’s far less perception of having to get what used to be called a ‘proper job’. Now being a musician, artist, graphic designer or whatever is a proper job.

“I think the confidence of individuals has been encouraged by things such as the Feisean movement which supports traditional musicians. That support has been consistent and focussed.

“Then there are the individuals such as Colin Marr at Eden Court who has brought such a broad programme to the theatre and set up outreach and training programmes, or the work HI-Arts has done in supporting and providing funds for both individuals and organisations. When you put it all together you gain a lot.”

Lucy acknowledges that technology has also played a huge part.

“Artists are realising that you can be at the cutting edge while living in a croft in the north west of Scotland – if you’ve got the technology. I also think that the artistic community has stopped whingeing quite so much about how hard it is to earn a living by being creative, and this is reflected in the growth in confidence. It’s still not easy, mind, but there’s definitely positive growth.”

“Very few people have a ‘eureka’ moment. They tend to develop on an accumulation of pushing and being pushed.”

Lucy’s enthusiasm for her job with IDEASFACTORY Scotland has played a part in the general upturn, but she is reticent to accept that she has played a significant role in the success.

“IDEASFACTORY Scotland is only one part of how a person’s career might develop. I think about it laterally, I suppose but it’s something that I’ve witnessed many times, and that’s how something that initially seems really small can make a big difference. So I try to never underestimate how important the ‘little things’ can be. They all add up, but at the end of the day, it’s down to the individual’s talent, stamina and perseverance.

“Very few people have a ‘eureka’ moment. They tend to develop on an accumulation of pushing and being pushed. I just encourage people to get out there – nobody’s going to notice you if you’re just sitting in your house. You’ve got to get people to pay attention.”

The next big thing for IDEASFACTORY Scotland is the Make Tracks music project, aimed at helping create the music impresarios of tomorrow.

“We’ll run a series of workshops looking at all aspects of the music business, and then ask individuals to submit 200 words on what they would do with ANY band to make them better. We’ll then whittle it down to the final few individuals who want to work on the production and management side of things. They’ll then choose emerging bands from the Highlands and Islands to be recorded for a compilation CD. They’ll be the producers, A&R people, publicists and so on for a new virtual record label. So it’s great for the bands but also for the people who’ll be working behind the scenes. And very soon we’re going to do something similar for writers…”

“Get involved with everything you can – there’s lots out there and while it doesn’t make finding success easy, it does make it a lot more fun.”

Lucy has recently moved to an island off the west coast and is managing to deal with the move and the complete change of lifestyle as well as continuing to maintain the dynamism that is necessary for IDEASFACTORY Scotland. Does she ever feel as if she has run out of steam?

“Ooh,” she laughs, “well, I’m not a very steamy person! I suppose you could say I’m more of a ‘chugger’ – so no, I don’t, I just keep chugging along.”

She then adds that she’s more ‘laid back’ than she used to be.

“I enjoy the rest of my life as well as my job. At the moment my favourite thing is taking the three mile walk from my house to the IDEASFACTORY Scotland office. The island is idyllic at this time of year with all the sparkling blue sea, bluebells and cuckoos – I just love it – and I’m dreaming about building a new house.

“Where I was before I helped organise lots of events, a bit like having my day job dribble over into an evening job! Now I’m here, I’m enjoying just going along to things that someone else has organised.”

So, any tips for individuals who want to ‘make it’?

“Get involved with everything you can – there’s lots out there and while it doesn’t make finding success easy, it does make it a lot more fun.”

The Little Things Matter

She’s ever present. She’s ever involved. She’s the champion of young people in the Arts in the Highlands … She’s LUCY CONWAY. Youth Editor ANDREA MUIR caught up with Lucy in a rare moment of repose.

“Very few people have a ‘eureka’ moment. They tend to develop on an accumulation of pushing and being pushed.”

“Get involved with everything you can – there’s lots out there and while it doesn’t make finding success easy, it does make it a lot more fun.”

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