The natural local environment is unsurpassed in the UK for richness of geological, biological and scenic diversity. As well as archaeological treasures and historical associations the Highlands and Islands also has unique living language and cultural traditions associated with its Gaelic and Nordic heritage.
These varied resources - coupled with traditional and contemporary arts, crafts and sport - enrich community life and are among our greatest assets and economic drivers. Healthy and vibrant communities are more open to realising opportunities for developing skills and growing businesses, so it is vital to protect and enhance our environmental and cultural assets.
The development of the area's community based arts and cultural activities contribute to the growth of the Highlands and Islands as an attractive and distinctive region
HIE undertakes a broad range of activities, at its own hand and in partnership with others, which aims to sustain and develop the area's cultural and heritage resources.
HIE employs the expert skills of HI-Arts, which also receives funding from the Scottish Arts Council, to provide a strong infrastructure for the cultural community across the region. It offers a focus for practitioners and participants and provides an arts directory, events guide, and practical guidance and information.
HI-Arts is tasked with promoting opportunities across the range of traditional arts. Its team works closely with HIE staff to ensure that arts businesses with potential to grow access the support they need.
