Common Ground - People in Practice

A new skill sharing programme for the Scottish Borders — practical, people-focused and locally rooted

Common Ground is a new collaborative skill‑sharing programme for creatives, creative organisations, and community groups across the Scottish Borders. It is facilitated by Alchemy Film & Arts, Hugo Burge Foundation, Creative Coathanger, and CABN.

People in Your Practice

This programme session invites enquiry, conversation, and shared learning through a series of themed development days.

This session explores approaches to engaging people within creative practice. It is designed for:

• Individual creatives interested in working within community settings
• Organisations or groups seeking to expand their community engagement, social impact, or participatory approaches

The day blends practical insights, case studies, and reflective discussion.

This is the first of three sessions we will be offering this year.

Programme Schedule

10:15–11:00

Tea, coffee, and networking

11:00–11:45

Alchemy Film & Arts

Socially Engaged Audience Development / The Film Town Model

(5–10 min break)

12:00–12:45

Creative Coathanger

Using Data Well

(5–10 min break)

1:00–1:45

Hugo Burge Foundation & CABN

Communities funding strand, small grants fund, and what funders look for in community‑engaged approaches

2:00–2:30

Lunch & Reflection

Artist

Lara Greene

will facilitate a round‑table reflection session over a vegan lunch (with a grab‑and‑go option for those needing to leave early).

Email us with any dietary requirements - hello@cabn.info

Access requirements:

Please get in touch with CABN hello@cabn.info if you have any access requirements and we would be happy to help.

As multi‑artform development organisations Alchemy Film & Arts, Hugo Burge Foundation, Creative Coathanger, and CABN. each bring distinct approaches and areas of focus, united by a shared commitment to developing skills, nurturing creativity, and strengthening the cultural ecology of the Borders and beyond.

About CABN

CABN is a project supported by Southern Uplands Partnership, which champions and supports creative businesses across the Scottish Borders.

You can become a CABN member for free to have a voice in the future direction of CABN as it evolves from a project into a constituted organisation.

Email us hello@cabn.info to join.