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Frequently Asked Questions About StoryLab
What is StoryLab?
StoryLab is a national celebration of children and young people’s storytelling and storymaking. StoryLab is administrated by the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and is supported by The Scotland Office, Scottish Arts Council, the Church of Scotland, the City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian.
StoryLab is a web resource which offers online ideas, events listings, a project showcase and support materials. A programme of StoryLab events took place at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, at partner organisations and at schools, libraries, community groups and arts and heritage venues across Scotland.
Who is StoryLab for?
StoryLab is designed for children and young people who are interested in storytelling, want to learn more about it and would like to get more involved in hearing and/or telling stories. Most StoryLab resources are designed for use with 8-14 year olds, but there are StoryLab events for children and young people of all ages, along with events and advice for teachers, parents and carers. StoryLab resources can be used by schools, community groups, arts or heritage organisations or individuals to create unique StoryLab events in the local community.
Why do we need StoryLab?
Storytelling is increasingly recognised as an important and powerful tool within education, and can deliver many of the elements embedded in Scotland’s new Curriculum for Excellence. Taking part in StoryLab can provide the impetus for the creative, collaborative and enquiring atmosphere young people need to be inspired, to be listened to, to reflect, and to have their achievements celebrated. Storytelling activities can support language and literacy development, providing opportunities for children and young people to become motivated and effective communicators.
Storytelling plays a unique role in therapeutic and social settings, as well as being core to the oral traditions which are the roots of our contemporary culture. Storylab responds and contributes to the current renaissance in oral storytelling by asking for contributions from young people and by celebrating young storymaking talent. Taking part in a UK-wide initiative such as Storylab can provide the incentive for young people to engage with storytelling as part of their cultural entitlement, as a means of communication and of creative expression.
Aligning your class work, events or project with StoryLab, and encouraging young people to explore storytelling and storymaking through StoryLab can open the door to new ideas and experiences. We hope Storylab can support you and the young people you work with on this journey of exploration
How can I get involved in StoryLab?
Join up to hear the latest news and browse events listings to find an event near you. Consider setting up a StoryLab event yourself, and make use of StoryLab advice and information on booking a storyteller local to you. You must be part of a recognised organisation to gain access to online StoryLab resources.
How can my school/community group/arts organisation get involved in StoryLab?
Join up to register your interest and receive the latest updates on the StoryLab project. You’ll need to register on behalf of your school or organisation to access StoryLab resource materials, packed with ideas for how to set up an event and get children and young people involved in storytelling. The Tool Kit also contains materials to help you promote your StoryLab events. The Scottish Storytelling Centre website can help with advice on booking a Storyteller near you.
How much will it cost?
It doesn’t have to cost anything – there is a storyteller in everyone! However, if you want to use one of the Centre’s professional storytellers, there are recommended fees to consider.
StoryLab events sometimes have a ticket price, although we encourage all partners to keep the prices as low as possible.
What if I don’t live in Edinburgh?
Use the StoryLab events listings and map to search for an event near you. If you can’t see any listed, why not set up your own event!
What if I don’t live in Scotland?
You can still take part in StoryLab. Join up to register your interest, and submit your events listings to the StoryLab website.
I’ve never told a story before. Where do I start?
Come to a StoryLab event! The StoryLab project provides lots of different ways to explore storytelling – through different artforms and multi-media, as well as within different themes and settings – so it’s a perfect time to find out more and discover where you might feel most comfortable joining in, and what kind of storytelling suits you. Search our events listings to find out what’s happening in your local area.
The Storytelling Centre also runs a year-round storytelling training programme – get in touch if you want to find out about developing your storytelling skills. www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk also contains hints and tips on finding stories and getting started.