Islay Arts Association

Isle of Islay

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Welcome to the Islay Arts Association

Islay ArtsIslay Arts Association (IAA)was set up in 1985 by a group of Islay people, with the aim of bringing high-quality artists for public performances on the island. In its first year IAA presented just two events but ambitious ones – Scottish Opera with “Tosca” and 7:84 Theatre Company with the soon to be iconic “The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black,Black Oil.”

As well as Scottish Opera,  other ‘flagship’ Scottish companies such as the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Ballet and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra have performed for us over the years.  Most of the Scottish theatre companies have visited on tour, and many and various classical music events have been held. We have also been delighted to play host to most of the main traditional Scottish musicians and vocalists of recent years.

Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival 2021

As previously announced in the press, the 2021 Festival will be an all-streamed event. Ourselves and partners Jazz Scotland felt that concerns about Covid transmission on the island must be uppermost: the safety of audiences, artists, crews, organisers, venues, accomodation providers and everyone involved has to again this year outweigh the pleasures of live musical events.
Arrangements for a high-quality series of performances are being finalised. These will be filmed in Lagavulin Distillery and other attractive venues, in “closed set” conditions, and streamed later, probably in mid-November.
Artists will include the still-ascending star of the U.K. scene, pianist Fergus McCreadie, who will perform solo, with his trio, and also alongside the hot young Saxophonist Matt Carmichael whose work incorporates Scottish folk elements into his modern jazz. The full programme will be announced here very shortly.

First Upcoming Islay Arts Event

There are no upcoming events.

Islay Jazz Festival

2018 saw the 20th anniversary of the ever popular Islay Jazz Festival. Isay Arts Association works in partnership with Jazz Scotland to bring this prestigious event to Islay. Held in mid-September each year this is a hugely popular 3 day festival with people travelling from near and far to experience the finest Scottish and international jazz musicians in Islay’s beautiful surroundings.

Photos by M. Roberts