For arts and community groups, sponsorship is a great way to access more funding but many organisations are unaware about how to go about attracting sponsors.

As a result, Orkney Enterprise has arranged for members of Arts and Business Scotland to visit Orkney to pass on their valuable advice to the islands' arts and community groups.

Arts and Business Scotland will hold two 'Introduction to Sponsorship' seminars at the Pickquoy Centre in Kirkwall on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20 November.

Attendance at the seminar costs nothing with Orkney Enterprise fully funding the events which includes an Arts and Business sponsorship manual for every delegate.

The seminar will help groups understand the workings of sponsorship and how it is used by businesses.  Delegates will also learn about recent market trends, how to assess their sponsorship needs and how to make a successful approach.

Tutors will also be offering one-to-one surgeries where organisations can discuss and seek advice on individual projects ideas.

Lucy Conway is Highlands and Islands manager for Arts and Business Scotland.  She said: "Arts and community groups are increasingly looking to the private sector for support, but are often unsure of how to make the first approach.  The Introduction to Sponsorship course provides groups with a good grounding in the principles and practice of sponsorship, helping to make that first approach less daunting and more likely to succeed."

Chief executive at Orkney Enterprise, Ken Grant said: "We are delighted to be funding these two events in a bid to help arts and community groups learn about the importance of sponsorship and how to go about getting it.

"Sponsorship not only provides groups with a source of income but helps build strong relationships between the community and local businesses which contributes to a vibrant social economy."