There is already a buzz of anticipation and excitement within our island community that some of Scotland's finest children's authors will be coming to the Isle of Arran.
Travel to and from Book Festivals on the mainland is both cost and time prohibitive for many families on Arran.
Bringing authors to the island for a festival breaks down social barriers with the joy of live literature accessible to all.
Following on from our successful pilot in 2022, Wee Mac 2024 events will be hosted in the Garden Room and marquees in the grounds of the Isle of Arran Heritage Museum.
The enclosed safe setting offers a relaxed and inviting environment for children and families. It provides a fabulous informal festival feel and free for all to enjoy.
Having met and interacted with our invited guest authors, we hope our young people will be enthused to read for pleasure and encouraged about the possibility of becoming writers themselves.
Description
The cost of bringing one author to Arran including travel to the island, overnight accommodation, subsistence plus their fee (on average) was £500 in 2022 - all depending on where they are travelling from.
It is anticipated this figure will increase for 2024. At the moment our Wee Mac Programme is expected to have 8 guest events over the two days
Venue hire for 2 days - final figure yet to be advised by AHM Committee but the very modest sum of £200 hire fee is expected to increase for 2024.
Set up of Microphone, Speaker/Sound equipment and cabling - supply and in person support for Wee Mac over two days £350
The funding we are applying for would be used to cover :-
Arran Heritage Museum venue hire costs, sound engineer and any balance left to help towards the cost of one programme guest.
Location: The McLellan Festival has been running on Arran for many years, part of The Arran Theatre and Arts Trust. Wee Mac is operating under the umbrella of McLellan - a small group of book loving volunteers who give of our time and talents to bring a book festival experience to the Arran community.
Most voted