Modus Arts is seeking 3 Community Engagement Officers for the Tape Letters project which aims to unearth, archive and re/present to the public a portrait of the cultural heritage of Pakistani immigrants who settled in Scotland between 1960-1980, commenting on their experiences of migration and identity as revealed through their use of audio cassette tapes as a mode of long-distance communication.

Drawing directly both from first-hand interviews and from the informal and intimate conversations on the cassettes themselves, the project seeks to shine light on this unorthodox method of communication, commenting on individual experiences of migration and identity, the unusual use of cassette tape technology, and the languages used in the recordings. These will be archived at the National Library of Scotland, creating a permanent and protected collection of heritage artefacts and a unique insight into the migratory experience and the Scottish-Pakistani identity.

Purpose: Source "tape letters", liaise between community and project team, manage volunteers, organise events.

Key Activities:

• Recruitment and supervision of 6-8 volunteers.
• Community engagement and outreach.
• Attend oral history and audio recording training.
• Co-ordinate the recording of 20 interviews.
• Source ‘tape letters’ and encourage their deposit into the archive.
• Organise two reminiscence events/discussions.
• Work closely with and report regularly to the Project Co-ordinator.

Essential Skills / Experience:

• Ability to relate to inter-generational members of the Scottish-Pakistani community.
• Proficient in Urdu and English (additional languages an advantage)
• Able to support and supervise volunteers.
• Ability to listen to people with tact, sensitivity and confidentiality.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Community engagement and outreach skills.
• Able to work independently.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Drive

Desirable Skills / Experience:

• Experience of oral history or other forms of interviewing and/or community heritage projects.
• Facilitation expertise.

Modus Arts is seeking a Project Coordinator for the Tape Letters project which seeks to rediscover audio cassettes recorded by Pakistani-heritage communities in Scotland and exchanged with family and friends overseas. These will be archived the at the National Library of Scotland, creating a permanent and protected collection of heritage artefacts and a unique insight into the migratory experience and the Scottish-Pakistani identity.

The collection will be supplemented by a series of new oral history interviews with those who recall the use of ‘tape letters’, adding further context to the collection currently held at the Bishopsgate Institute in London. At the conclusion of the project, a series of exhibitions and associated outputs will ensure that the project celebrates the heritage it protects, with and for as wide an audience as possible.

The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and initial project partners include the National Library of Scotland, The Scottish Oral History Centre, Edinburgh Council, and various community groups in Glasgow.