Room 13

It is actually Committee Room 1 in the Scottish Parliament. (Pretty poor photo using phone but you get the idea).  It was an event about Room 13, one of my favourite organizations. The event was called Creativity = Capital and was a celebration and explanation of the Room 13 concept. Basically space for youngsters to do their own "Art Thing".  Run by themselves and structured as a business.  It creates huge self development and growth.  7 of the youngsters gave presentations, sensible and well delivered. Polished 10 year olds.  The idea has spread abroad e.g. there are 11 Room 13s in South Africa now.  Hardly a week passes without foreign visitors arriving at the primary school in Caol, by Fort William, to find out more. The audience were impressed.
If Creative Scotland had turned up they too might have been impressed. They apparently wish to have an Arts strategy for youngsters but seem to be unaware of this home grown phenomenon.  They were invited but didn't show, didn't even reply.  I suppose they were too busy dealing with all the angst of their recent travails.  Better they check out http://room13international.org/