"Marionettes Restrung" (360G-NLHF-HA-26-00156)

"Vision Mechanics will deliver a 12-month pilot project to safeguard and revitalise the endangered craft of marionette making and performance in Scotland. We will create a free, publicly accessible online instructional film series documenting traditional techniques in design, carving, jointing, stringing and performance, ensuring this specialist knowledge is preserved and shared widely. To activate and test this resource, we will deliver a one-week introductory workshop for 10 participants at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, followed by ongoing meet-ups to support continued learning and gather feedback. We will also recruit three trainees for an intensive four-week programme, developing their skills to design, make and operate a fully functioning marionette. Working with partners including Manipulate Arts, Edinburgh College and Scottish art schools, the project will widen access and test a new training model. This pilot, will create new practitioners, refine a national learning resource, and establish a sustainable pathway for marionette practice in Scotland"