Demand for places on a visual arts conference being held in Inverness on Monday (27 November) has been so strong that a series of follow-up events is already being planned.

More than 60 delegates have booked to attend the one-day Highlands and Islands Visual Arts Forum 2000, which aims to bring together artists, arts entrepreneurs and administrators to listen to guest speakers and share information and expertise.

Organised by arts development agency HI Arts - a joint venture between Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Arts Council - the forum is being held at The Highland Council's headquarters in Glenurquhart Road from 10.00 am until 5.00 pm.

Speakers include: Amanda Catto, visual arts director of the Scottish Arts Council; David Cook of the Scottish Artists Union; Anamaria Wills, director of the Creative Industries Development Agency, and Jim Gaitens, arts manager of The Highland Council.

During the morning, participants will hear presentations and reports on a range of initiatives relevant to the visual arts, including the Highlands and Islands Arts Partnership, the Scottish Artists Union, the Scottish Artists Training Initiative and the AXIS Artists' Register - a computer database featuring artists and their work.

In the afternoon, a series of breakout sessions will give delegates a chance to have their say on some pressing issues, including marketing for galleries, business skills and the value of professional associations and networks.

The forum is the first event of its kind to be held in the Highlands for more than two years and HI-Arts marketing co-ordinator Marcus Wilson says the level of interest has led to plans being put in place to establish it as a regular fixture in Scotland's visual arts calendar.

"The Highlands and Islands have provided inspiration for generations of visual artists and the arts continue to make a significant contribution to the area's economy and quality of life today," said Mr Wilson.

"With this forum, HI Arts is helping to bring artists into contact with each other and with the people who can help them promote their work.

"If the arts are to flourish here, then it's part of our responsibility to ensure that we stimulate business opportunities as well as creativity.

"The turnout for the forum is very encouraging. It confirms our belief that such events can play an important role in supporting artists and galleries. Several people have already started asking us when the next one will be held.

"I think there's definitely scope for running more of these in the future, on an annual basis or perhaps even more frequently if the demand continues to be strong."

* More information on arts events in the Highlands and Islands is available on the HI Arts website - www.hi-arts.org.uk.