We’re celebrating communities in Scotland on the 30, 1 & 2 of October, and you’re invited!
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Fun Palaces is a year-round campaign supporting cultural democracy - recognising the creativity, passions and expertise that we know exist in every community which can support connections, wellbeing and tackle social isolation. We celebrate this collectively every year during the first weekend of October, supporting groups to host free “Fun Palaces” events and activities for, with and by communities.
Since 2014, we have had 2,122 Fun Palaces made by over 41,000 makers across the world in all shapes and sizes - ranging from bigger “take-overs” of libraries, streets, theatres & shopping centres to tiny, hyperlocal connections through windows, doorsteps and gardens. Last year we introduced the Tiny Revolutions of Connection ideas and Fun Palaces Scotland TV to support wee but meaningful ways to connect with others both offline as well digitally.
This year our Fun Palaces weekend of action falls on the 1, 2 and 3 October and there are 3 ways of getting involved with libraries, theatres and community groups across Scotland
1. Join in a Fun Palace near you on the weekend!
From a ecological take-over of Perth and Eden Court Theatres, 3D printing with the Western Isles Library, a beach-clean in Aultbea, walks in Roslin and planting and a carnival in Glasgow, there’s loads going on during the Fun Palaces weekend (Friday 1 - Sunday 3 October) itself in person - and that’s not to mention all the digital Fun Palaces too (more about that below!). Check the map on the main page for up-to-date listings and specific details. It’s definitely not too late to add something yourself as long as it’s free, open to others (even with restricted numbers) and celebrates community creativity!
We’re also hosting a celebration ceilidh online at 5.30 - 6.30pm on the Sunday open to all - makers and everyone else - particularly focusing on connection linked with Silver Sunday!
2. Join in a Fun Palace Challenge online!
A new addition this year, we have Fun Palace challenges from groups, libraries and cultural organisations which challenge their local communities to take small actions during the Fun Palaces weekend based on our themes of climate action, equity, play and health and wellbeing.
All our challenges are linked here with a link to a video or information page on the Fun Palace map explaining it a bit more and how you can share your responses.
How do I respond to these challenges? Get creative and then take a picture, write a response or even do a short film and then share on facebook, twitter and/or instagram using both #FunPalaces #FPChallenge and tag the group who proposed the challenge as well as @FunPalacesScot and we’ll share too and connect you with other makers. For some challenges, you may even want to make a Fun Palace to explore it others and add it to the map! You can also always contact us if you have any questions.
…connecting to the Climate Emergency & Nature
….connecting to equity, diversity, health and wellbeing
….connecting to play and intergenerational connectivity
3. Join us online with Fun Palaces Scotland TV
The last way to get involved with the weekend is connecting with other makers and communities digitally through our Fun Palaces Scotland TV! These are short 5 - 10 minute live interviews during the weekend itself which are livestreamed on our twitter and facebook and encouraging anyone anywhere - from those still shielding to those with families - to try something new in Scotland and beyond!
Check out our previous Fun Palaces TV Reel above for last year and our programme for the weekend is upcoming!
Friday 1 October
9.30am 👋 Welcome with Lewis Ambassador SLIC, Science Ceilidh (Streaming @FunPalacesScot)
1pm 🌱 Growing against Inequalities: Climate Talk with Inverclyde Libraries (Streaming @InverclydeLibs)
2.30pm 🌈 Chalk Drawing around equity with the Caithness Young Creatives creatives and see their chalk drawings (Streamed @FunPalacesScot)
3pm 🏝 Ethical Consumer Climate Talk with Western Isles Libraries (Streaming @WILibraries)
4pm 🎮 Create Minecraft Fun Palace mini-games with Drumbrae Library Hub (Stream Drumbrae Librarie’s Twitch)
Saturday 2 October
10am 📦 Join the STEAM Co cardboard challenge
10.30am 🏖 Tune to the Aultbea Community Beach clean-up with Aberdeen Science Centre
11am 🎭 Perth Theatre and Concert Hall grand reopening
11.30am 👩🌾 Huntly Farmer's Market Fun Palace
12pm 🧸Play a game of emoji bingo and join the teddy bear competition with Auchinleck STEP
2pm 🧶 Rap and Crochet with STAR Project Paisley
3pm 🖼 Printmaking & heritage with The Rockfield Centre
4.30pm 🗺 Rep the Flag event with African Caribbean Society of Scotland
Sunday 3 October
10am 📚 See some of the bookmark challenge submissions with Stirling Libraries
11am 🖌 Outdoor art with Creativity in care
1pm 🌳 Join in with climate-themed activities at Eden Court
3pm 🎭 Check in to see what Perth Theatre and Concert Hall
4pm 🏰 Join the fort-building challenge with young people from the Open Project Shetland
5.30pm 🎶 Celebration zoom ceilidh with Science Ceilidh (register for zoom link, not live-streamed)
Fun Palace TV FAQ
Do I need to register? No need to register at all. These will automatically go our live in our facebook and twitter pages at the advertised times (see links above). You can “like” or “follow” us or join our facebook event if you’d like updates in case you forget and you can always watch the clips afterwards too!
How do I join in? We’d love to hear from you - connection is what it’s all about - so please do ask questions, give things a try, get creative and post using the hashtag #FunPalaces. We’ll be able to respond to things directly live if you comment directly on the video so do say hello!!