Moray Art Centre, based in Findhorn, has received a grant of £24,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and is about to launch the ‘Rekindle Kinloss Project’ - a year-long programme for young people in creativity and the heritage of Kinloss Abbey. The first introductory meeting will happen at the Kinloss Church Hall on 26 November 2011 at 2pm and this will be an opportunity for young people from the Kinloss, Findhorn, Forres and Elgin areas to find out more about and sign-up for the programme. Moray Art Centre is working together with the Kinloss Abbey Trust and Historic Scotland to realise this project.

The ‘Rekindle Kinloss Project’ is aimed at 13 to 25 year olds and invites young people to lead and take part in the historical and archaeological exploration of Kinloss Abbey, engaging in their local culture. Throughout the year they will be involved in a number of different creative educational workshops and activities such as field archaeology sessions and scavenger hunts, architectural 3D rendering, photography and design facilitated by specialists, educators and curators. The completion of the programme will celebrate young people’s achievements in the project by sharing their learning with the wider community through a museum-quality exhibition at the Moray Art Centre, designed and produced by the young people themselves.

This project will create new opportunities for young people to volunteer their time and learn new professional and social skills. The ‘Rekindle Kinloss Project’ also brings good news to a community suffering a major loss - the closure of RAF Kinloss - uplifting the local Kinloss public at a time in which a major factor of the community, both socially and economically, is disappearing.

The Director of Moray Art Centre, Randy Klinger, said: “What a wonderful opportunity for young people to meet each other in a shared and inspired creative year of learning and growing. Above all, this project provides an expanding and deepening sense of understanding and appreciation of what sits right at our doorstep – Kinloss Abbey, an amazing piece of history. We are deeply appreciative of the Heritage Lottery Fund for providing the funding to allow this programme to happen.”

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland, said: "We are delighted to support this exciting heritage project which sees the young people of Moray looking forward positively to their future through exploring the heritage of their more distant past at Kinloss Abbey. This project will help shape their sense of identity as they learn new skills which will help equip them for the future."

Notes to editors

About the Abbey
Kinloss Abbey is a Cistercian abbey approximately three miles east of Forres in the county of Moray, Scotland.

The abbey was founded in 1150 by King David I and was first colonised by monks from Melrose Abbey. It received its Papal Bull from Pope Alexander III in 1174, and later came under the protection of the Bishop of Moray in 1187. The abbey went on to become one of the largest and wealthiest religious houses in Scotland, receiving the valuable salmon fishing rights on the River Findhorn from Robert the Bruce in 1312, subsequently renewed by James I and James IV.

During its history the abbey has received many royal visitors, including Edward I in 1303, Edward III in 1336 and Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1562. The most renowned of the 24 abbots the monastery had was Robert Reid. Reid introduced organised education, erecting a new library and other buildings at the abbey. He became Bishop of Orkney in 1541 and, following his death, became the founder and benefactor of Edinburgh University with funds from his estate.

About Moray Art Centre
• Moray Art Centre is a non-profit centre for the arts, located next to the Findhorn Foundation, Moray, running an annual local and international programme of exhibitions, events, classes and art residencies. Website: www.morayartcentre.org
• The environmentally built and designed Centre is situated in the unique landscape of Findhorn Bay, Moray. Internally the new Centre has been planned to be a vibrant and motivating environment which allows people to meet, discuss and generate a community of creativity. The Centre has three flexible, rentable classrooms, four individual artist studios, Gallery II, with meeting and study areas, and a main hi-spec gallery Gallery I.
• The Young Person’s Programme offers access to a wide variety of art forms through workshops, regular arts courses, individual sessions, outreach activity and special events. These are open to independent individuals aged between eight and 25, as well as organised groups including Schools, Colleges and Community Groups. Through involvement in the Young Person’s Programme at Moray Art Centre, participants will have the opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills in a broad range of subjects including animation and film making, drawing & painting as well as printmaking and sculpture.

About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. To date it has invested over £500 million in Scotland’s heritage.

Further information

For more information, images and interviews please contact:
Catia Vasconcelos, Project Coordinator, Moray Art Centre on rekindle.kinloss@morayartcentre.org or 07596 953 302 / 01309 692 426.