Anyone can run a Big Draw event – large organisations, small community groups or keen individuals. All we ask is that drawing is the main focus and that the Big Draw logo appears on all promotional materials. Registration is now open and they hope you will join in. Please start now by entering your contact details on their free online database www.thebigdraw.org. Every organiser who registers receives a free copy of the Drawing Inspiration Awards book, illustrating last year’s winning projects, and a CD of practical strategies and publicity materials. These are packed with inspiring ideas and show how organisers have used limited resources and unlimited imaginations to get everyone drawing. If you apply (successfully) for a £500 Drawing Inspiration Award after your event, you could feature in the next book!

The main focus of the event is mid-October (Big Draw Day is Saturday 13), but you can run events any time in October. With competing pressures on calendars, their themes are broad, allowing links with Family Learning Week, Black History Month or Apple Day. Visit www.thebigdraw.org to find out more

At the start of 2007, the Scottish Executive made £350,000 available to Arts & Business Scotland to encourage private sector sponsorship of the arts. The scheme has proven to be incredibly popular with arts organisations across Scotland. So much so, that in only a few months over £240,000 of eligible applications have been received leaving only £100,000 in the pot for the remainder of the year. Therefore, if you are considering making an application for a project taking place in the next 4-10 months, Arts & Business stress you should do so sooner rather than later. The scheme is run on a first-come-first-served basis, so the earlier you get in touch the better.

Eligible sponsorships can apply for a £1 for £1 matching Award. The maximum Award is £40,000 and the minimum Award is £1,000. The sponsorship that Arts & Business will match can be cash or in kind, and must be being provided in order to receive benefits from the arts partner. The business must be sponsoring the arts in Scotland for the first time OR must not have sponsored the arts in Scotland since 31 March 2003.

‘Arts’ includes the performing arts, literature, visual arts and crafts, museums, heritage, architecture, film and TV. Non-arts organisations can apply as the Arts Applicant if they are producing arts activity. The application must be made at least 3 months in advance of the sponsored activity, and within 6 months of the start date of the sponsored activity. Applications must be made on the Scottish Executive New Arts Sponsorship Award Form which can be downloaded from www.AandB.org.uk/Scotland. Arts & Business take applications at any time, and there are no closing dates. Tel Jeanie Scott on 0131 220 2499 if you would like any more help or information.

You can write up to five true stories about any experience in your life and each one will be featured on Toowrite.com for the world to read.

It’s free to enter and several times a year they’ll give away £1,000 for the best story. The deadline for the first competition is midday on Thursday, April 5, 2007. Entries must be written in the first person and be previously unpublished.

Local author Alice Mulholland has produced her second book - a collection of over thirty short stories recounted to Alice and interspersed with her own poems.

The initial print run is limited copies of Alice's first book are available in Pollok Library. For any more information please contact Alice via the Forum on 882 8050.

Women in Exile is an exhibition celebrating International Women's Day featuring refugee women training with the Bridges Programmes.

The exhibition features work by two established photographers: Pamela So and Rachel Thibbotumunuwe.

Among their photos are portraits of ladies living in Kennishead.

The exhibition is open on every Saturday in March from the 3rd at the Artists in Exile Gallery 8-10 Osbourne St.