Audiences Central News

Two-thirds say no to arts funding!

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:44:00 GMT

A survey conducted by the organisers of the Threadneedle Prize has revealed that two-thirds of people agree with the government's approach to cutting arts funding and increasing private funding.

The poll surveyed just over 2,000 British adults and BBC News reports a fifth believe that visual arts should not be given any government funding.

Threadneedle are a leading international investment manager. The Threadneedle Prize aims to showcase the best in contemporary British figurative art with the winner set to scoop £25,000.

For more information on the prize, see: www.threadneedle.com

For the full story, see BBC News.

Read Audiences Central CEO Ni Singh's blog.

Impact of London 2012 Open Weekend revealed

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:29:00 GMT

Over 46,000 attended London 2012 Open Weekend events in the West Midlands.

A total of 56 events took place generating £828,100 worth of economic activity throughout the weekend of 23-25 July 2010.

Many of the events were specially created for the weekend such as photography workshops at New Art Gallery Walsall and Wolverhampton Art Gallery, learning to Vogue in Birmingham City Centre and having a go at Blind Football in Hereford.

A report has been produced about the impact of Open Weekend this year and is available as a PDF download.

In other 2010 news, the West Midlands currently boasts 41 Inspire Marked projects.

For more information, see: www.wmfor2012.com

RSC reveal new home

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:19:00 GMT

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced its plans to reopen the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres on time and on budget in November 2010, following a four year redevelopment as part of the £112.8 million Transformation project designed to bring actors and audiences closer together.

The Company will reopen its doors to the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres from 24 November 2010, inviting people in to rediscover and explore the building, which will have a brand new 1,000 seat thrust stage auditorium, 36 metre high Tower, new exhibition spaces, and new places to eat and drink, including Rooftop Restaurant and Riverside Café and terrace. There are also restored 1930s features and improved public areas, including the new Weston Square.

Visitors will be able to take part in a series of preview events and activities which will help test the spaces, while throughout the opening period Matilda, A Musical plays at The Courtyard Theatre.

In February 2011, the current RSC ensemble will perform the first productions on the new Royal Shakespeare Theatre stage when they return from London's Roundhouse to revive King Lear and Romeo and Juliet, directed by RSC Associate Directors, David Farr and Rupert Goold. The company will also perform Artistic Director Michael Boyd's production of Antony and Cleopatra in the Swan Theatre and both Young People's Shakespeare productions of Hamlet and The Comedy of Errors, before going back to London to premiere three new plays at Hampstead Theatre which run from April to June 2011.

The RSC will celebrate its 50th birthday and formally reopen the theatres with new companies and a new season from April 2011. Further details will be announced in November 2010.

For more information, see www.rsc.org.uk

Arts Nation pilot in the Black Country – be part of it

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:22:00 GMT

Scheduled to launch in September 2011, Arts Nation is the first ever arts engagement campaign to be rolled out on a national basis, and will deliver against Arts Council England’s mission of great art for everyone. The campaign aims to:

· Change the way a significant section of the nation thinks and feels about the arts

· Kick-start an increase in participation and attendance in the arts in England

· Leave a legacy – contributing to long term diversification and an increase in arts audiences

It will do this by:

- Raising awareness of the full range of the arts

- Stripping away barriers and misconceptions

- Opening doors for people who currently have a passing, occasional relationship with the arts to become more regular, committed customers

As defined by the Arts Council’s audience segmentation research, the target audience groups identified are Family and community focused and Dinner and a show. In the West Midlands, the campaign will also include Mid-life hobbyists.

www.artscouncil.org.uk/about-us/research/arts-based-segmentation-research/

Audiences Central is working in partnership with Arts Council England’s West Midland’s office to pilot Arts Nation in September 2010. The Black Country has been selected as a focus area for the campaign, following research that identified a lower level of engagement in the arts in comparison to other areas of the West Midlands, but with strong potential to increase audience participation and attendance with existing arts provision.

The four local authorities - Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley - and partners will test new ways of targeting the local community with innovative marketing and digital tools to increase public attendance and engagement with the arts. These engagement approaches could range from flashmobs and laser projections to cross artform programmed activity in empty shop units.

Turning Point West Midlands - a new network for the visual arts

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:17:00 GMT

Arts Council England has established a network in the West Midlands to strengthen the region's visual arts and to connect people working in the sector.

Called Turning Point West Midlands (TPWM) it is part of a national network made up of individual artists, independents and organisations who share a stake in the future development of the visual arts sector. The initiative is the result of a national review and a ten year strategy commissioned by Arts Council England.

TPWM was established early in 2010 and a Visual Arts Co-ordinator Wendy Law has been appointed.

The aim of the network is to develop a strategy for the visual arts in the West Midlands, which will create opportunities to widen audiences, to develop expertise and to maximise resources.

Wendy says: "I see a great deal going on in the visual arts across the West Midlands and it is very exciting - a huge and diverse area with many smaller and distinctive regional contexts."

A new website to encourage the development of the West Midlands network of visual artists and organisations has also been launched.

www.tpwestmidlands.org.uk is just one initiative created by TPWM, established with the intention of gathering views, sharing information and involving people in the development of the strategy.

Wendy Law urges everyone working in the visual arts to log onto the website and connect with colleagues to raise the profile of their art form.

Wendy works with a steering group consisting of regional arts specialists. The group is also establishing working groups and holding events working against three priorities:

- artist support and development
- advocacy, communications and audiences
- research and critical debate

Ros Robins, Arts Council England's West Midlands Director, said: "This is a crucial time for the visual arts and Turning Point is allowing the sector to be mobilised in a way that has not happened previously.

"We are sure that by 2011 TPWM will have helped the region's visual arts sector to make considerable progress in forming partnerships, encourage a working together approach and develop a strategy for the future.

"We are delighted to be working with our partner Birmingham City University's School of Art to support this initiative."

www.tpwestmidlands.org.uk

Future Libraries Programme

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:48:00 GMT

Communities around the country will have the chance to test drive an ambitious change programme for libraries - reports DCMS.

The programme is driven by local authorities, around the needs of the public. It will help library authorities to look at how best they provide their services and look beyond organisational boundaries.

The initial ten phase one areas, chosen for their individual strengths, type of project, geographical spread, and rural and urban mix, are:

•Herefordshire with Shropshire
•Northumberland with Durham
•Bolton, with Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan
•Bradford
•Lincolnshire, with Rutland, Cambridgeshire, North East Lincs, Peterborough
•Suffolk
•Oxfordshire with Kent
•Cornwall with Devon, Plymouth, Torbay
•Lewisham with Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth and Southwark
•Kensington & Chelsea with Hammersmith & Fulham

Announcing the first ten areas to take part in the project, Ed Vaizey, Culture Minister said: "A strong library service, based around the needs of local people, can play a key role in our ambitions to build the Big Society by providing safe and inclusive spaces for people to read, learn and access a range of community services.”

Formed by national and local government, and driven by councils, the programme will spread learning between library authorities to achieve cost savings, new partnerships and governance models, and to take advantage of digital opportunities.

The Museums Libraries and Archive Council (MLA) and the Local Government Association Group (LGA Group) will begin work immediately with packages of support and advice for each of the projects. Planning for the second phase of the programme is already underway and the successes and experiences of each project can be shared with library authorities across the country.

Funding launched for young am-dram groups

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:20:00 GMT

Amateur performance groups will have the chance to apply for a slice of £200,000 funding under a new scheme to be launched by the BBC, aimed at encouraging young people to take part in musical theatre, reports The Stage.

Starting in September 2010, The Young People’s Musical Theatre Scheme comes via the Performing Arts Fund, which is funded by telephone votes from popular TV series such as I’d Do Anything and this year’s Over the Rainbow.

Individual grants of up to £5,000 will be on offer to non-professional theatre groups that are either made up entirely of members under the age of 25, or which have a youth section and are involved in musical theatre productions.

This scheme is the first from the fund to target amateur theatre companies, and follows on from last year’s Choral Ambition, which was aimed at providing grants to choirs from around the UK.

The scheme, full details of which have yet to be announced, will launch on 27 September 2010, with theatre groups having until the end of November to apply.

Links:
- The Stage
- Performing Arts Fund

Tourism is "fundamental to the rebuilding and rebalancing of our economy" says PM

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:02:00 GMT

Prime Minister David Cameron has stated that tourism is "fundamental to the rebuilding and rebalancing of our economy."

In a speeched delivered in London (13 Aug 2010) he continued: "It’s one of the best and fastest ways of generating the jobs we need so badly in this country."

Highlighting tourism's position as the UK's third highest export earner behind chemicals and financial services, the PM reported that domestic tourism is also vital, and refered to his own holiday travelling the canals of Staffordshire, and the pull of key insitutions and events (Tate, Glastonbury, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee) as well as sporting events (Olympics 2012, Rugby League World Cup 2013, Commonwealth Games 2014, Rugby Union World Cup 2015).

"Tourism presents a huge economic opportunity. Not just bringing business to Britain but right across Britain driving new growth in the regions and helping to deliver the rebalancing of our national economy that is so desperately needed.

"We have so much to be proud of so much to share with each other and so much to show off to the rest of the world."

Knocking '90s "cool Britannia" and the Labour government, Cameron stressed the importance of heritage in attracting visitors from, for example, China.

"I want us to have the strongest possible tourism strategy," he said. "I think there are four parts. First – what government does nationally. Second – the role of local government and the support of the local area. Third – how we stimulate the private sector in tourism. And fourth – how we make policy in other areas that will impact the tourism industry.

"I want to have the strongest possible engagement with the tourism industry in each of these areas.

Cameron stressed there will be a "whole new approach – and a new attitude" that will include "getting the local incentives right" to encourge local businesses, reduce red tape, and make visiting the UK easier, from visa applications to transport links.

Read the full speech at: number10.gov.uk

Arts funding "is not a model we want to break" says Government Minister

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:50:00 GMT

Communication, Culture and the Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey has stated that he supports government subsidy for the arts.

In a Radio 4 debate You And Yours (broadcast on Aug 10), which discussed arts funding, the MP said: "People talk as if the arts are sitting there with a begging bowl. They've worked incredibly hard to broaden their base. This is not a model we want to break."

On the topic of philanthropy, he added: "We believe there should be more philanthropy for the arts, but we're not asking them to take the place of the government. Jeremy Hunt should be applauded for saying this is a 20-year strategy, not a quick fix. Arts funding can't work like that. We'd want to put in place measure to encourage more, however."

Read a full transcript of the programme at TheArtsDesk

Black Country venue launches iPhone app

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:45:00 GMT

Wolverhampton Civic has launched its very own iPhone application.

Users can see the gig listing for the next 12 weeks, browse by date, by venue and by genre. More info on the shows is available at a tap and links to book and email a friend are also available.

Five months in the making, the app received over 150 downloads on the first day.

Press Officer Jonn Penney said: "The beauty of iTunes and the App store is that users can give us feedback – which we can use to continually improve the App.Our idea is to create an App that gives iPhone users exactly what they want from the Civic.

"Expect more features soon, we hope to include twitter links, ticket alerts and embedded video in the near future. We’re looking at getting the App working for iPad and iPod Touch very soon and development has now begun on a widget to cater for the Blackberry crowd and all other smart phones."

Wovlerhampton Civic hosts music of all genres, comedy, special events and club nights at the Civic, Wulfrun and Slade Rooms.

To get your iPhone App, just visit iTunes and search for ‘Wolves Civic’.

www.wolvescivic.co.uk

Attractions vie for tourism excellence award

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:10:00 GMT

The shortlist for the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism awards 2010 has been announced.

Hundreds of attractions and accommodation providers from across Birmingham, the Black Country, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire entered the 16 categories for the awards with a total of 53 businesses selected to go forward.

The winners will be announced at an awards evening to be held in October 2010. Regional category award winners will then be put forward to the national Excellence in Tourism Awards 2011 coordinated by Visit England – the national tourism body.

Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards 2010 – Shortlisted Businesses/ Organisations include:

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
• Alton Towers, Alton, Staffordshire
• Drayton Manor Park, Tamworth, Staffordshire
• West Midlands Safari & Leisure Park, Bewdley, Worcestershire

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
• BBC Tours Birmingham, Birmingham
• Boscobel House & The Royal Oak, Brewood, Staffordshire
• Compton Verney, Compton Verney, Warwickshire

Best Tourism Experience
• BBC Birmingham Tours, Birmingham
• Drayton’s Magical Christmas, Tamworth, Staffordshire
• Go Ape – Wyre Forest, Wyre Forest, Worcestershire
• Great Classic Car Hire, Feckenham, Worcestershire

Sustainable Tourism of the Year
• Broadway Manor Cottages, Broadway, Worcestershire
• Drayton Manor, Tamworth, Staffordshire
• Hidelow House Cottages, Acton Beauchamp, Worcestershire
• Poston Mill Park, Peterchurch, Herefordshire

Tourist Information Service of the Year
• Coventry Visitor Information Centre, Coventry, Warwickshire
• Lichfield Information Centre, Lichfield, Staffordshire
• Tamworth Information Centre, Tamworth, Staffordshire

Regional Culture Award
• Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham
• Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Black Country
• Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire
• Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Ironbridge, Shropshire

Access for All
• Cadbury World, Birmingham
• Drayton Manor, Tamworth, Staffordshire
• Hidelow House Cottages, Acton Beauchamp, Worcestershire

Best One-Off or Annual Event of the Year
• Christmas at Black Country Museum Dudley, Black Country
• International Dance Festival Birmingham
• Malvern Spring Gardening Show, Malvern, Worcestershire

Other categories cover accomodation, meetings, food and individuals.

www.visittheheart.com/excellence/

Responding to the cuts

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:37:00 GMT

The UK Film Council, MLA and Advantage West Midlands have been, or will be, axed. Meanwhile, English Heritage is facing review and Arts Council England is under increased pressure. We all know that funding cuts are going to happen, but predictions from observers range wildly from 10% to 40%. And thanks to the impact of the recession, it's doubtful that wealthy individuals and businesses will be able to step forward to contribute. So what can the cultural sector do?

Now is the time to communicate your concerns - contact your MP, call on those of influence, be seen and be heard.

Here are a number of useful contacts, resources and toolkits:

Why The Arts Matter
Arts Council England's Why The Arts Matter toolkit includes Advocacy Toolkit and Guide to working with MPs:
www.artscouncil.org.uk/about-us/why-arts-matter/

The House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee
The committe meets on 2 September - now's you chance to submit your views. www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/culture-media-and-sport-committee/news/committee-launches-a-new-inquiry-into-the-funding-of-the-arts-and-heritage-/

Lobby your MP:
Find your Member of Parliament by location
http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

Email the PM directly:
Drop David Cameron an email via https://email.number10.gov.uk/

Email Jeremy Hunt MP:
Send your thoughts to the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport: enquiries@culture.gsi.gov.uk

Email DCMS:
Contact the Department for Culture, Media and Sport: enquiries@culture.gov.uk

Association of Independent Museums (AIM)
The Economic Value of Independent Museums - including toolkit: www.aim-museums.co.uk/pages/pg-18-aim-economic-impact-paper/

Save The UK Film Council - petition
www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/save-the-uk-film-council.html

Save The UK Film Council - Facebook
www.facebook.com/pages/Save-the-UK-Film-Council/137240442975080#!/pages/Save-the-UK-Film-Council/137240442975080

Arts Funding in a Cooler Climate
Arts & Business reports on arts funding system - “structurally robust by international standards, but also potentially vulnerable”.
www.artsandbusiness.org.uk/News/2010/july/arts-funding-in-a-cooler-climate.aspx

The Spending Challenge
Respond directly to Government via:
http://spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk/

National Campaign For The Arts
NCA are collecting members' thoughts by email: campaigns@artscampaign.org.uk. See NCA's website for more details: www.artscampaign.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=265:your-chance-to-feed-directly-into-the-spending-challenge&catid=92:newsitemsnew&Itemid=97

artsfunding: Arts Funding Information
Help create a cohesive voice aboout the impending cuts and shifts in funding, and share your views. http://artsfunding.ning.com/

International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA)
National arts advocacy campaigns: overview of case studies and good practice:
http://media.ifacca.org/files/Dart16advocacy.pdf
www.ifacca.org/topic/arts-advocacy-arguments/

Live music boom cools, but there's still growth

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:30:00 GMT

PRS for Music’s annual Adding Up The UK Music Industry report has revealed that UK music industry revenues totalled £3.9bn in 2009.

The success of British music abroad complemented slower domestic growth in live music. Overall growth of 4.7% (2008 = £3.6bn) was a positive achievement for the industry, also underpinned by the levelling-off of a five year sustained decline in recorded sales.

The report by PRS for Music’s economists Will Page & Chris Carey analyses the diverse mix of revenues, rights and relationships that make up the industry in 2009 including consumer spending on CDs, downloads and live music, business-to-business revenues from licensing music use and other sources.

Findings include that live music revenues have increased 9.4% to £1.5bn including direct ticket sales, secondary ticketing and ‘on the night’ spend, but have slowed from 2008’s outstanding growth of 13%

The report also highlights a widening gap between "grass roots acts and superstars" on the live circuit as smaller acts and musicians find less venues available as pubs close at an alarming rate, and segments the UK live scene by postcode, finding tha the Midlands accounts for 14 per cent of live music revenue, behind North West (15 per cent), South East (19 per ent) and London (21 per cent).

To read the full report please visit: www.prsformusic.com/economics

Wolverhampton Art Gallery project shortlisted for prize

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:34:00 GMT

Wolverhampton Art Gallery have been shortlisted for the Contemporary Art Society's Annual Award for Museums 2010.

In the second year of the Contemporary Art Society’s Annual Award, the proposals have been shortlisted by the selection panel: Pavel Buchler (artist), Carline Douglas (Head of Arts Council Collection), Lisa Panting (Director, Picture This) and Emily Wardill (artist).

The selection panel’s role is to select a winner from the many proposals submitted by public collections across the UK who are members of the Contemporary Art Society. The shortlisted museums reflect a range of approaches to the priorities for the Award: to develop an outstanding new work from an artist who may be showing widely but who is not yet represented in public collections in this country, or, whose work is an important fit with an existing collection. Each of the short-listed museums will receive £1,000 to develop their second stage proposals in more detail.

The winning proposal will be selected in November this year and will be announced at the Contemporary Art Society’s Annual Reception on 9 November 2010 at Tate Britain.

The shortlist of museums to potentially receive £60,000 to commission a new work for their collection is:

Wolverhampton Art Gallery and The Hepworth Wakefield, in partnership with Film and Video Umbrella - proposal with artist Luke Fowler

Leeds Art Gallery (Leeds Museums & Galleries) - proposal with artist Clare Woods

mima, Middlesbrough and the AV Festival - proposal with artist John Gerrard

Whitworth Art Gallery, University of Manchester - proposal with artist Nico Vascellari

For more information, see: www.contemporaryartsociety.org

Inquiry into The Funding of the Arts and Heritage launches

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:31:00 GMT

In July, the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee announced an inquiry into The Funding of the Arts and Heritage. The committee stated that it intended to investigate the following:

• what impact recent, and future, spending cuts from central and local government will have on the arts and heritage at a national and local level

• what arts organisations can do to work more closely together in order to reduce duplication of effort and to make economies of scale

• what level of public subsidy for the arts and heritage is necessary and sustainable

• whether the current system, and structure, of funding distribution is the right one

• what impact recent changes to the distribution of National Lottery funds will have on arts and heritage organisations

• whether the policy guidelines for National Lottery funding need to be reviewed

• the impact of recent changes to Department for Culture, Media and Sport arm's-length bodies - in particular the abolition of the UK Film Council and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council

• whether businesses and philanthropists can play a long-term role in funding arts at a national and local level

• whether there need to be more government incentives to encourage private donations

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport will appear in front of the Select Committee on 14 September 2010. Arts council England also anticipate that their Chief Executive, Alan Davey, will also be asked to give evidence - along with other representatives from the arts sector who are yet to be announced. It is thought that the Select Committee's final report will be published in November at the earliest.

The Select Committee is interested in responses from people within the sector by Thursday 2 September 2010.

Although the report is likely to be published too late to directly influence the outcome of the spending review, your views are valuable and there may be issues of interest to the Committee that you may wish to highlight in a submission.

For example, philanthropy or the potential for arts organisations to work together to share costs. If you are thinking of making a submission, please carefully read the guidelines on the format for responses, which you can find at Parliament.uk.

VAGA warn Government of cost of cuts

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:22:00 GMT

The Visual Arts and Galleries Association (VAGA) has warned Jeremy Hunt of the potential effects the cuts to arts funding will have on the sector.

With a joint constituency of at least 60,000 individual professionals, galleries, public collections, studio groups, visual art businesses, organisations and producing agencies VAGA and eleven fellow representative bodies have written to the Secretary of State, pointing out the finely tuned ecology of the visual arts and urging him to consider carefully the timing and scale of the cuts.

The VAGA notes that the visual arts sector's annual contribution to the national economy is £1.9 billion, whilst craft and cultural heritage, with which it is closely integrated, comes to another £4.1 billion. The sector has
multiple and inventive business models, the success of which depend on relatively small, yet vital sums of public investment.

The letter also states: "Across the sector there will be wide spread unemployment, closures, decline in public and economic benefit from past investment and consequent loss of established cultural and social capital within communities, including opportunities for volunteering and skills development."

Read the full letter at VAGA.co.uk

Culture vs The Big Society

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:25:00 GMT

Audiences Central CEO Ni Singh meets PM David Cameron.

THE PRIME MINISTER IS ON TOUR. As part of his rolling PM Direct programme, David Cameron arrived at Austin Court, close to Birmingham’s ICC, today (3 Aug 2010) for a Q&A session in which I was given the opportunity directly challenge him on the potentially fatal cuts faced by arts and culture.

In front of representatives from local businesses and the community (were we the only representatives from culture?), Cameron stated from the outset that we are all facing painful decisions caused by spending beyond our means, and that the funding cuts that loom are vital for the survival of future generations.

Bold words.

Taking questions on education, schools and universities, localisation, climate change, independent living allowances, and the armed forces, he was slick, well informed, well briefed and largely jovial, managing to successfully take the sting out of any negatives with a personable approach.

Arts and culture contributes a great deal to community cohesion and a sense of place, but with predicted cuts of between 10 and 40 per cent, I wanted to know what future role he saw culture playing in the development of his ‘Big Society’.

The Big Society is the Government’s ‘big idea’ – they want to give citizens, communities and local government the power and information they need to come together, solve the problems they face and build the Britain they want.

Key in this big new Britain is volunteering, charitable giving and philanthropy.

Responding, Cameron acknowledged that arts and culture plays an enormous part in society, that it was hugely important, but believed that it has become highly bureaucratic, surrounded by red tape, that mechanisms for the delivery for the arts need to be reduced. The money, instead of going to quangos, would go directly to museums, galleries and theatres (although how this will actualyl happen is yet to be revealed...).

He cited Arts Council England (and later UK Film Council) directly, and reiterated that spend on arts and culture could not be treated in the same way as health or housing cuts, intimating that the rumoured 25-40 per cent cuts would not be across the board.

Cameron’s answer was predictable, the cuts are a certainty. However, there did seem to be dim, if distant, possibility that the level of funding cuts could be reduced.

Here is our opportunity. I believe we should push, advocate, lobby. And not just the big, powerful players in the region, but one and all. There are countless inspiring stories about the arts, and now’s the time to vocalise those positives. We acknowledge that everyone has to take a hit, that belts need to be tightened, and new ways of working need to be investigated, but we should not sit quietly waiting for the axe to fall – culture has a vital role to play in this Government’s Big Society, in uniting and celebrating communities; culture is also a driver for change, a tool for economic recovery.

So speak now or risk forever holding your silence…

Contact your MP: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

Email the PM directly: https://email.number10.gov.uk/

Email Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport: huntj@parliament.uk; enquiries@culture.gsi.gov.uk

Email DCMS: enquiries@culture.gov.uk

Arts Council England's Why The Arts Matter toolkit (which includes Advocacy Toolkit and Guide to working with MPs):
www.artscouncil.org.uk/about-us/why-arts-matter/

See the PM Direct Q&A session in Birmingham:

ArtsJobs ditch unpaid posts

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:09:00 GMT

The Arts Council's ArtsJobs vacancies and opportunities website is putting a stop to ad's calling for unpaid staff.

In recent months, the site has featured calls for volunteer/unpaid writers, curators, graphic designers, artists, IT specialists, stage managers, actors, marketing and communications staff, photographers, performers, web designers, gallery staff and more.

ArtsJobs states:

... that due to the high volume of adverts for unpaid opportunities that contravene Minimum Wage Regulations we are temporarily suspending adverts for unpaid work, work experience, voluntary roles or internships. This is so we can make developments to the website that will help users to post genuine volunteering opportunities only and stay within Minimum Wage Regulations.

Arts Council England is committed to ensuring that artists and those who work in the creative industries are properly remunerated for any work that they do. We recognise that there is great value in people having access to proper work experience, where it is offered and arranged properly and is a mutually beneficial arrangement, but that this should never be used as a way of attempting to circumvent the Minimum Wage Regulations.

We will continue to accept adverts for paid employment and will let you know when we expect the facility to be live once more. Thanks for your patience while we address this important issue.

www.artsjobs.org.uk

ACE outlines plans to RFOs

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:45:00 GMT

Throughout July 2010 Arts Council England (ACE) have been holding briefing sessions to discuss the developing context and timeline that will take ACE through the spending review to funding decisions for 2011 and beyond.

The presentation outlines how ACE's thinking has developed and flags the idea of three new funding programmes that will be phased in over time:

1. A programme to concentrate funding on the specific work, could be for one year to longer than five

2. A long-term programme - allow us to work, explicitly, in partnership with organisationstowards the delivery of goals and our mission

3. An organisation maybe asked to take on a particular task –a relationship based on clearly procured services, with a fee, defined for a specific length of time

The presentation concludes that:

- Year one, 2011/12, will be a year of transition - signalling a major change in the way we fund the arts

- That ACE are asking RFOs to model for a minimum of a 10% reduction in funding for 11/12 (noting that from 2012 they will not be able to fund organisations in the same way)

Read the full RFO's Briefing Session presentation:
www.artscouncil.org.uk/media/uploads/RFO_briefing_140710.pdf

ACE also state: "Many of you have talked to us about your enthusiasm for speaking with one voice, using the same key messages and themes to make sure we are heard. To help you with this we have prepared a toolkit, to enable you to make the case for the arts."

Entitled Why The Arts Matter, the toolkit (which includes Advocacy Toolkit and Guide to working with MPs) is download about from: www.artscouncil.org.uk/about-us/why-arts-matter/

Funding challenges in a cooler climate

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:21:00 GMT

A former chairman of the Young Vic Theatre Company, Martin Smith, has warned that the operational effectiveness of the UK’s arts and culture funding model would be put at risk if the government were to make draconian cuts to the arts budget in the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review.

He argues that across-the-board cuts of 20% or more would lead to the loss of new work and disinvestment by the private sector

Arts Funding in a Cooler Climate (Arts & Business) is an analysis of the arts funding system in the UK, which the author characterises as “structurally robust by international standards, but also potentially vulnerable”.

53% of the income received by the arts sector comes from public funding, an income source which increased by five per cent during the worst of the financial crisis of 2008-09, when private investment declined by seven per cent.

It is also an exploration of the challenges faced by arts organisations in an increasingly digital world of converged entertainment platforms.

Smith argues that most arts organisations need to generate new revenue streams through better financial management and more imaginative exploitation of cultural assets. He calls for the development of more sophisticated approaches to managing risk, for continuous innovation in terms of audience access and content distribution, and for redoubled efforts to draw in new investment.

Arts Funding in a Cooler Climate argues that the broad structure of the arts funding system should be retained but that more diversity in approaches to backing artists and cultural entrepreneurs should be explored alongside current models

Read the full story at Artsandbusiness.org.uk or download the full pamphlet (PDF format).

"Not all cuts are bad" says The Stage

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:38:00 GMT

Alistair Smith of The Stage has called for a measured response from arts organsations facing the prospect of funding cuts of up to 40 per cent.

Believing protesting on the streets and "tub-thumping" is not the best way forward, Smith states that "when all walks of public life - and many private firms - are having to face up to severe austerity measures, there is simply no way that the arts can argue that it should be immune, or receive preferential treatment."

Calling for innovative solutions, "companies must resist a bunker mentality and try to look to the bigger picture. Not all cuts are bad. Some of the tough decisions that ACE will take to disinvest or cut organisations will be quite correct."

Smith reckons that an average of 12 per cent cuts to funding will be the reality, and that large organisations should approach Arts Council England with an attitude of accepting a certain level of cuts as a short-term measure, with the view of launching fund-raising campaigns, and when times improve, funding levels return.

For smaller organisations, Smith believes that the Arts Council "must take a lead, give some instruction - show it is truly a development agency, not just a funding body."

For the full feature, see: The Stage - Arts funding: A time to cull?

Libraries' role in 2012 volunteering

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:18:00 GMT

Library services have been invited to play a vital role in the UK-wide London 2012 Games Maker volunteer programme by promoting the online recruitment of up to 70,000 volunteers. This provides an opportunity for libraries to showcase their role in supporting their communities by increasing digital inclusion, fostering informal learning and promoting local volunteering.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) launched the London 2012 Games Maker programme on 27 July 2010. It is the largest post-war volunteer recruitment campaign in the UK to attract, train and retain dedicated and inspirational people representative of the diversity of London and the UK for a wide variety of roles in the official London 2012 venues, hotels, ports of entry and other support areas.

Libraries are uniquely positioned in local communities to help people find out if they have what it takes to be a London 2012 Games Maker by stocking promotional information, offering internet access to the new information-packed website at www.london2012.com/volunteering and, from 15 September 2010, to the online application form for those that do not have access to a computer either at home or work.

Assisting with the London 2012 Games Maker programme is another example of the MLA commitment to secure positive digital outcomes for people. Libraries already encourage digital literacy amongst the public, build their confidence and ability to regularly visit online volunteer website for updates and information. By supporting the London 2012 Games Maker programme the MLA is helping to inspire volunteering in the community up to and beyond the summer of 2012.

LOCOG is supporting the work of libraries by producing an online marketing toolkit of posters and leaflets for libraries to print off and display, with a fresh range of posters available from 9 August 2010. Please contact isobel.siddons@mla.gov.uk for details.

Further information about the Games Maker programme can be found at www.london2012.com/volunteering

The Public's future

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:46:00 GMT

BBC News has reported that Sandwell Council are unlikely to be able to fund The Public art gallery in West Bromwich next year.

The arts centre opened in 2007, and it's current programme includeswork by acclaimed video artist Bill Viola, plus regular dance events, music, workshops and stand up comedy.

The BBC reports that Steve Eling, deputy leader of Sandwell Council, said the council could not be expected to fill the gap following a one-off final Arts Council grant of £3m.

Managing director Linda Saunders reported that 15,000 people visited the venue in July and that they are currently meeting with potential tenants while making more rentable space available.

Mr Eling said the building could still function without the Arts Council money, although it would need to look at what areas remain open and other ways of generating income.

For full story, see: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-black-country-10827514

The Public: www.thepublic.com

Arts Council England publishes annual review 2010

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:04:00 GMT

Arts Council England Annual Review 2010, published this month (July), looks back on a year of great change for the Arts Council as they worked to reduce running costs by 15 per cent and to manage the impact of a budget reduction of £19 million, in addition to an earlier in-year reduction of £4 million - bringing the total to £23 million.

Dame Liz Forgan, Chair, Arts Council England, says: "The last year has certainly tested us all, but there is much to be optimistic about as we look ahead. The arts are more universal and more appreciated than they’ve ever been and are at the forefront of our future prosperity, with our investment feeding the creative industries with the talent and skills they need to continue to grow at one of the fastest rates of any of our economic sectors."

Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, says: "The arts matter now more than ever. They will matter more in the weeks, months and years ahead as we make sense of the post recession world. I hope that all politicians really do pay attention to what we do and how we do it, maintain the arm’s length principle, and the funding system that makes the arts in this country what they are, and don’t lose what we’ve achieved. The arts are too important for that."

To download a copy of the review, go to: www.artscouncil.org.uk/publication_archive/annual-review-2010/

Fighting talk

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:42:00 GMT

The Museums Association (MA) has responded to the news that the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) is to be wound up by April 2012.

The MA says it "is fighting to ensure that museums remain an integral part of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), while programmes such as Renaissance and Accreditation will survive."

Mark Taylor, the MA’s director, said: “It is important that we have a strategic body with museums as one of its principal functions, rather than a minor department in another quango.

“We need to know before the Comprehensive Spending Review where the strategic museum function is going to be within the DCMS.

“The challenge now is to retain as much as possible from the good that the MLA does and make sure that museums have their rightful place in the DCMS structure.”

Taylor is meeting with Ed Vaizey, the minister for culture, on Tuesday 3 August to discuss the government’s plans.

Meanwhile, the demise of the UK Film Council - which has increased the number of digital screens in the UK and funded some of themost successful UK films in recent years - has resulted in widespread concern.

UK Film Council chairman Tim Bevan called it "a bad decision" that had been "imposed without any consultation or evaluation".

He continues: "People will rightly look back on today's announcement [26 July 2010] and say it was a big mistake, driven by short-term thinking and political expediency."

A petition is already online while a Facebook page amassed close to 1,000 fans in less than 24 hours.

"If you abolished all quangos, the arts in Britain would pretty much cease to exist in their current form," believes Independent Arts Editor David Lister, whose paper also lists English Heritage as "under threat", noting that it could be merged with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, Heritage Lottery Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund.

English Heritage have not officially responded but a statement from May 2010 stated "We are pleased that the new government has placed Heritage and Tourism together in a single ministerial portfolio, emphasising the absolutely central role that heritage plays in the tourist economy of Britain. We will do all we can to protect the nation's heritage and to strengthen its part in the country's economic recovery."

Links:

- UK Film Council protest petition

- Save The UK Film Council Facebook page

- ...cull by culture secretary Jeremy Hunt (Guardian 26/07/10)

- One by one, the quangos are abolished. But at what cost? (Independent 27/07/10)

- Arts Quangos: A threat to our cultural life (Independent 27/07/10)

MLA respond to closure news

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:24:00 GMT

Responding to the government's announcement that the MLA is to be wound up by April 2012, Chair Sir Andrew Motion and Chief Executive Roy Clare pledge a smooth and orderly transition to deliver the best possible future for museums, libraries and archives across England and for the people and communities who expect to use them.

In a joint statement, Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare say: "Stormy seas call for cool heads and steady hands. The team in the MLA have worked tirelessly and with commendable commitment to develop the capacity of the organisation since 2007. Now, faced with an unforeseen degree of economic pressure, government has chosen to balance the books and to prioritise the rationalisation of its existing cultural agencies as a contribution.

"As a result we will work methodically and calmly to continue to deliver a vibrant and effective expert service for the public who rightly expect excellent, sustainable museums, libraries and record offices in their local neighbourhoods. Our accent is on strong strategic leadership; access to expert advice which can help people to weather the effects of recession; strong investment programmes; joining up across the network; good links into local government, and provision of resources that demonstrate good practice. We are committed to arguing for these to be reflected clearly in the new arrangements.

”MLA is currently engaged with local authorities and independent museums, libraries and archives all over the country. We are helping them to weather the storm of recession and funding cuts and to emerge stronger and more sustainable. Maintaining the tempo of this work will continue to be a major priority for us.

Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, comments: "Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare have shown great leadership of the MLA and have made great strides in the last two years to streamline the organisation, significantly improving efficiency and effectiveness. However, there is now an opportunity to integrate Renaissance and the other important functions of the MLA into the wider cultural framework.”

The MLA believes that cultural and artistic activities are at the heart of Britain's recovery. Museums, libraries, archives and other places of art and creativity are nourishment for the spirit and encouragement for everyone in times of adversity; these are vital components for tourism, the economy, quality of life, cultural creativity and personal well-being. In the current climate especially, museums, libraries and other cultural services are at significant risk.

The MLA has called for more creative and systematic planning to ensure the public get the most out of the sector. The prospectus that we launched this year, ‘Sharper Investment for Changing Times', recognises that around three quarters of the £2bn-plus spent on cultural services in England is in the control of local, not central, government.

Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare add: "Over the year or so ahead our focus is on continuing to boost the impact and potential of museums, libraries and archives in locations across the country. An economy only slowly emerging from recession and pressures on public spending provide the spur to make even greater efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits for people and communities.

"Our various programmes and the expertise of our staff, including the Field Teams across the country, will continue unabated. Many longer term decisions will need to be taken and the outcome in October of the government's Spending Review will have a pivotal bearing on the details.

"It is our firm, joint intention to continue to provide strong and visible national leadership and a consistent, purposeful voice. We are confident that the various important capabilities of the MLA will be found new homes and we are determined to ensure that there continues to be sources of robust advocacy for museums, libraries and archives and for the people and places that depend upon them; with provision of experts, know-how, advice, specialist resources, detailed research and evidence and informed guidance.

"We are already working closely with local government and with professional colleagues in the Local Government Association, Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and a number of leading museums and other key organisations. These relationships are strong and will become stronger. Place-based investment, with much more joined-up and better strategic planning, can and must deliver more for less; closer attention to demand and better systems for delivery must result from all new alignments.

"Specific partnership work is already in hand on a Ministerial initiative to develop and improve library services; this will continue, and will be delivered by MLA and LGA this autumn, unaffected by the announcement. We have also put specific proposals to Ministers about the future of Renaissance in the Regionsand its relationship to the strategy for archives; further work is in hand that will lead to consultation and a statement by Ministers later this year, in time for new elements to be adopted during 2011 and the ensuing years, subject to funding.

"As an example of our specialist resources, we have just agreed to second an MLA expert, Natasha Innocent, to RaceOnline 2012 for 6 months from September. Natasha will work with Martha Lane Fox and her team to help deliver their Manifesto for a Networked Nation; and specifically to ensure that public library services are fully integrated in moves to secure positive digital outcomes for people in Britain.

"We are also proud of our range of cultural services, including Acceptance in Lieu, National Security Advisor, Export Licensing, Reviewing Committee, Accreditation, Designation and Government Indemnity. These will be maintained throughout the transition as will our engagement with the Cultural Festival, a vital component of London's 2012 Olympics, especially in terms of our support and leadership for Stories of the World and Our Sporting Life.

"The members of the MLA Board join us in expressing our very sincere gratitude to the staff of the MLA for all their work to date; and together we will uppermost in mind their interests and those of our many professional stakeholders across the country as we work to secure the future for the MLA's many valuable capabilities and ensure their sustained effectiveness on behalf of the public.

www.mla.gov.uk

DCMS propose MLA to be abolished

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:19:00 GMT

The Government have announced that a number of public bodies are set to be merged, abolished or streamlined as part of the Government's drive to cut costs and increase transparency, accountability and efficiency.

Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, has proposed a number of changes, including:

- abolishing the UK Film Council and establishing a direct and less bureaucratic relationship with the British Film Institute; this would support front-line services while ensuring greater value for money - Government and Lottery support for film will continue

- abolishing the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council to focus efforts on front-line, essential services and ensure greater value for money - Government support for museums, libraries and archives will continue

- merging UK Sport and Sport England, creating a more effective structure to deliver elite sport success and a wider sports legacy from the 2012 games

Some key functions carried out by these bodies would be transferred to other, existing organisations.

DCMS state that they "will do further work over the summer to finalise the details and timing of these changes. We will also continue to look at its other arm’s length bodies and explore further opportunities to improve accountability and efficiency."

Jeremy Hunt says: “Many of these bodies were set up a considerable length of time ago, and times and demands have changed. In the light of the current financial situation, and as part of our drive to increase openness and efficiency across Whitehall, it is the right time to look again at the role, size and scope of these organisations.

They are also looking at theirr responsibility for heritage and the built environment, and considering the role and remit of English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund and considering whether to change the status, role and functions of Visit England and Visit Britain.

Meanwhile, the National Lottery Commission will merge with the Gambling Commission, subject to further consideration of the business case.

Further details:
www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/7280.aspx

Full Ministerial Statement:
www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/100726MWS_DCMSarmslengthbodies.pdf

CASE findings published

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:06:00 GMT

The Culture and Sport Evidence programme (CASE) have published their first set of research publications, databases and toolkits.

This is the culmination of two years of interdisciplinary research sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in collaboration with Arts Council England, English Heritage, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and Sport England.

The research published by CASE can help those in the cultural sector to further understand and demonstrate (among other things) what factors drive engagement in the arts and the impacts that engagement with the arts can have on the lives of people in England.

After two years of work the CASE programme has been able to demonstrate the following headlines:

- childhood experience, education, age and socio-economic status are all important in predicting arts attendance and media consumption has a positive effect on arts attendance

- older people from Black and minority ethnic groups are less likely to attend arts events but ethnicity has no effect on attendance by young people

- there are direct learning impacts for young people who participate in structured arts programmes including positive increases in attainment (1-2 per cent ), cognitive skills (16-19 per cent) and transferable skills (10-17 per cent)

- there is emerging evidence of a relationship between arts attendance and wellbeing, with people’s life satisfaction increasing the more they engage with the arts

- the most effective way to increase engagement is to increase public education and promotion rather than reducing ticket prices or increasing the supply of arts programs

For more information, see:
www.artscouncil.org.uk/about-us/research/public-value-programme/case-culture-and-sport-evidence-programme/
www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/research_and_statistics/5698.aspx

AIM release economic value toolkit

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:04:00 GMT

The Association of Independent Museums (AIM)'s newly-commissioned research into the Economic Value of Independent Museums – which found that the independent sector was worth nearly £500 million – is now available on AIM’s website at:

www.aim-museums.co.uk/pages/pg-18-aim-economic-impact-paper/.

The full report, researched by DC Research and supported by the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council, is available to read, along with an executive summary, and most importantly, the toolkit.

This enables each AIM member to calculate your own value in your own local area, providing a useful advocacy tool and enabling you to make your case to economic and tourism stakeholders.

The toolkit has three levels: tourism impacts, employment impacts and impacts of spend on goods and services.

THA calls for clarity

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:00:00 GMT

The Association of Independent Museums reports that The Heritage Alliance (THA) is encouraging all heritage organisations to respond to the current consultation on the National Lottery by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The deadline is 21 August 2010.

The consultation concerns a change to the balance of funds to be allocated to heritage, arts and sport: the amount each receives would rise to 20 per cent in two stages up to 2012, amounting to an additional £50 million per year for the Heritage Lottery Fund.

AIM has joined other Alliance members in supporting its submission.

Go to www.culture.gov.uk/consultations/7070.aspx

The Heritage Alliance, who represent 82 heritage sector organisations (including the National Trust), has requested the Government ensure financial support for particular areas, believing that the sector's contribution to quality of life, jobs, economic prosperity and local communites needs to be recognised.

THA chair Loyd Grossman OBE said: "The civil society heritage sector accepts that there will be cuts to historic environment funding and services and we are ready to fill the deficit wherever possible. However, what we would like from the new government is greater clarity on its attitude and approach to heritage and clear acknowledgement of its important social and economic contribution. This recognition is vital if cuts are to be fair, proportionate and effective."

www.heritagelink.org.uk
www.aim-museums.co.uk

What's it worth?

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:31:00 GMT

Arts Council England has launched a campaign to encourage the organisations they fund regularly to feed-back their views on the value of the arts to the government prior to the spending review announcement this autumn.

The Arts Council has to reduce budgets in 2010-11 by £23m and the regularly funded organisations have had budgets reduced by 0.5%.

The DCMS has asked the Arts Council to model cuts of 25-30% over four years.

Now the Arts Council is campaigning hard and arguing to minimise these cuts.

The first of many briefings across the country took place on Monday 12 July at mac in Birmingham. Over 100 arts organisations heard from the Arts Council's Laura Dyer, Area Executive Director, Midlands and South West (Pictured), and Ros Robins, Director West Midlands.

Laura Dyer said: "We know that the arts won't be immune to the spending cuts, but will be arguing for any cut to be made intelligently. With the arts sector we will be able to manage the cuts much more effectively if they do not hit hard in the first year, but spread them, ideally with greater impact, in later years.

"We are urging arts organisations to join us in passing on their views to the government."

The campaign messages are:

- the arts budget is tiny (it costs 17p a week per person)

- Arts Council investment levers funding from private and commercial sectors (for every £1, an additional £2), and at a local level can lever five times its worth

- arts investment plays a vital role in the journey from talent to the creative industries; it is essential research and development

- the arts are vital to the economic recovery

- the arts are valued - 76% in the last 12 months

The Arts Council is encouraging arts organisations to:

- highlight their work to MPs and ministers

- work with other arts organisations in their area or art form to demonstrate the difference they make

-work with influential supporters of their organisations to they in turn can make the case for the arts

An advocacy toolkit is available on the Arts Council website - www.artscouncil.org.uk/about-us/why-arts-matter

Virtual Fierce

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:14:00 GMT

Fierce have announced they are now embracing the possibilities of technology, paperless offices, and networking by being, essentially, homeless.

Until recently based at The Big Peg in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter (also home to Audiences Central), Fierce state:

"We are (fiercely) embracing the possibilities of 21st century technology and taking flight away from our old office space, 'into the cloud'. Expect to see us in a wifi hub near you, hear from us as we traverse the country planning for our projects or share a Skype meeting with us soon.

"We are also trying to save the trees and cut down on paper in as many of our business operations as possible."

Forthcoming Fierce activity includes Come On, Vogue - in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome and Shout festival - Fierce Interrobang: Relationships and Fierce Festival Caravan of Artists 2010-2011

For more information, see: www.wearefierce.org or email: contact@wearefierce.org

Juice for the Arts

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:01:00 GMT

Stan's Cafe are spearheading a new campaign - Juice for the Arts - in which they tackle the thorny topic of cuts to arts funding.

Says Stan's Cafe:

Here is the plan. Currently the arts budget in the UK works out at 17p per person per week. This is the amount of VAT currently charged on [a] bottle of juice. So, if enough of us make a pledge to the new coalition government to buy Juice for the Arts once a week then they in turn should promise not to carry through with the terrifying plans the Arts Council briefed all the region’s Regularly Funded [Arts] Organisations on.

I can’t see a downside. The juice is delicious, keeps us healthy, pays for the arts and supports Purity Soft Drinks based in The Black Country. Of course according to this plan when the new higher rate of VAT is introduced next year rather than looking at 25%-30% cuts the arts will be looking at a 14% increase in funding.

“OK!” I hear you cry “We’re behind you on your Juice for the Arts campaign, how do we make it a reality?” Well, writing to your MP would be a good thing to do at the very least and if you know someone who isn’t an artist and they write to their MP they would count for about ten of us because “we would say that wouldn’t we”.

For those of you who think Juice for the Arts is a brilliant idea but too visionary for this amalgam of choppers there is something else you can do and it doesn’t even require the ‘bother’ of writing to your MP.

RFOs have been cut by 0.5% this year, it’s almost certain to be 10% next year and thereafter its going to get really very bloody. 25% is imagined to pretty much kill off everyone so it will have to be 100% for some with gaining some kind of reprieve. The provocative suggestion from one of our Board was to kill off one of London’s four orchestras, not just for the +£2,000,000 you’d save but because it would really stir up people who actually have some lobbying power. Anyway, back to it…

There is some good news if you are not an RFO and get money from Grants for the Arts. This money comes not from central government but from the lottery so not only is it not being cut, but there is a chance that it may grow. A while back the Olympics started to take a cut of Lottery cash and the proportion going to each of the ‘good causes’ was cut. The debate is now on, should the division be restored? A consultation is now on and YOUR VOICE is needed to argue for the arts getting back to where it was before. Please stay on-line and do your thing here.

Still reading and not gone and done your thing there? Well about-turn and do it because as soon as the axe comes down on the RFOs they’re going to be scrambling for that G4A cash and it’s going to turn pretty bloody bloody there too.

Finally. In my quest to find a quotidian product that costs £1.17 inc VAT I found a Pork Pie which cost 99p and is VAT exempt. This raises the possibility of a counter campaign VAT Pork for Art. Superficially you would imagine the proposed introduction of VAT on Pork Pies to pay the country’s art bill would encounter fierce opposition from the Pork Pie Manufactures lobby but they could be won around with the prospect of millions across the country upping their Pork Pie intake. Craig and I ran trials on Pork Pie consumption in the late Nineties whilst making Nightshifting and then The Hearing of Susan Tuesday with de Montfort University Students in Melton Mowbray and would be happy to endorse this campaign as well.

If you can think of anything better than Juice or Pork Pies which could pull us out of this crisis do get in touch.

For more information, see: www.stanscafe.co.uk

Birmingham fails to win UK City Of Culture bid

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:38:00 GMT

Derry~Londonderry is to be the first UK City of Culture in 2013.

Northern Ireland’s maiden city won the judging panel’s vote, beating Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield to take the title.

The win means that in 2013 Derry~Londonderry will play host to a year-long celebration of culture in the city, opening its doors to visitors from across the world.

The year will open with a spectacular Sons and Daughters event, a contemporary music and dance festival, an international festival of contemporary visual art events, cultural embassies programme, verbal arts programmes, and an outdoor water based spectacular pageant on the River Foyle celebrating the return of Colmcille. The final cultural programme will be finalised by November 2011.

There are four core programmes within the city’s ambitious 2013 programme which aim to deliver significant change: Unlocking Creativity focusing on children and young people, Digital Dialogue as the UK Digital Cultural Champion, Creative Connections offering an international cultural programme of events, and Telling a New Story which will create a cultural platform to explore issues of identity. The city’s promise for 2013 is to connect and reconnect people through culture.

For more information, see: www.cityofculture2013.com

Responding to Derry's win, Birmingham’s UK’s City of Culture team has vowed the city will continue to be a capital of culture.

Chairman of the Birmingham Cultural Partnership Cllr Martin Mullaney insisted the benefits of the bidding for the inaugural UK City of Culture title far outweighed the disappointment of missing out.

“Now we have to make the most of that passion and commitment and, with significant events like the magnificent new library opening, Birmingham will still be a cultural capital in 2013.

“We will continue to focus on the importance of culture as a force to enrich and unite people and communities across the city.

“We’ve used the bidding process to draw-up a new cultural strategy for the city – a strategy that will serve the city well for years to come. So we have a very tangible outcome from this process.

“The campaign has undoubtedly raised the profile of culture within our city, with media coverage alone worth in excess of £4 million. There were over 70 million opportunities to see or hear our campaign, with a London poster campaign proving particularly effective.

“Our aim from day one was to make this a campaign from the grassroots up and that has certainly been the case. Online we’ve reached thousands of people, through blogs, Facebook and Twitter. Our Big Culture Blog reached 7,500 people in just 24 hours while supporters sent over 1,000 messages of support as we pitched to the judges up in Liverpool.”

Cultural sector faces "irreparable damage"

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:05:00 GMT

Leading organisations from the cultural sector have warned Government that cuts to funding will be "catastrophic" and lead to "irreparable damage" to the arts.

The coalition government has asked all major arts funding bodies to show how they would manage cuts of 25% or 30% prompting Arts Council England, RSC, National Theatre, Tate, Barbican, Natural History Museum, Sadler's Wells, Serpentine Gallery and Southbank Centre to directly petition the Prime Minister.

They believe that the closure or partial closure of leading national museums, galleries and theatres is likely to become a reality, despite the part the cultural sector can play in the country's economic recovery.

"The UK has the largest cultural economy in the world relative to GDP, and every £1 invested in culture produces £2," says the organisations. "Two thirds of the adult population in the UK enjoy the arts, visit historic sites and go to museums and galleries. Of the top ten UK visitor attractions, eight are national museums.

"The cultural sector has made a real contribution to the country's social and economic recovery through offering work, learning, training and social engagement. The arts represent the creative future on which Britain's economy depends."

BBC News reports that the government hopes private money will help plug the gap, but some of the country's leading philanthropists are warning that such an ambition is overly optimistic.

Read the full story: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10643425

Industrial cities inspire tourists

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:20:00 GMT

Some of Britain’s largest industrial cities have become highly fashionable international tourist destinations, a new survey has revealed.

While London and Edinburgh are amply maintaining their traditional pre-eminence as the two most popular urban destinations in the UK, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow are emerging strongly as formidable rival attractions.

The transformation of the cities is highlighted by a new analysis of overnight stays by overseas visitors in UK cities between 2006 and 2009 by VisitBritain, the national tourism agency.

When researchers looked at all types of visits, London came out as the top destination for international tourists with an average of 15 million overseas visitors staying in the city each year, followed in second place by Edinburgh with 1.3 million.

But Manchester is firmly in third place with about 900,000 visits, followed by Birmingham on 737,000 and Glasgow with 687,000 foreigners.

For purely holiday trips London again dominates with 6.6 million visits, with Edinburgh in second place on 771,000. But they are joined in the top five by two other cities, Scotland’s second city Glasgow, on 312,000 and Inverness, so close to the Highland scenery, on 180,000.

The port city of Liverpool, European Capital of Culture in 2008, comes next in the holiday league table with an average of 162,000 foreign visitors staying over in each of the past four years.

The survey, published in the latest edition of Foresight, VisitBritain’s monthly commentary on the inbound tourism industry, asked a large sample of foreign visitors to Britain where they stayed overnight.

Apart from recording the rise of the industrial giants the analysis also offers insights into which towns and cities are most attractive to people of different nationalities. For example Germans make up the largest group of visitors to Southampton, Canterbury and Brighton and Hove.

While more Americans go to Bath than any other nationality, for Bristol and Plymouth the French are the largest market. The French and Irish vie for the top spot in Cardiff and Swansea. The French and the Americans tie for first place in Cambridge. Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle attract more visitors from Ireland than anywhere else.

Shakespearean connections no doubt help to explain why the Americans are the top visitors to Stratford-Upon-Avon. Visitors from the USA are also the biggest market for the city of York, but Australians are close behind.

Patricia Yates, Strategy and Communications Director for VisitBritain said: "This survey confirms an astonishing transformation of our industrial heartlands has taken place. They have become dynamic, stylish international destinations that are increasingly beloved of foreign visitors. Manchester has become the home of Brit Cool, Birmingham wows people with its world class cultural scene, Liverpool pulsates as the home of the Beatles and Liverpool FC, and Glasgow with its unique architecture, countryside and coastal views has become Scotland’s style capital. They have become a joy for tourists to discover."

For more information, see:
www.visitbritain.org
www.visitbritain.co.uk

Coming Soon: Culture Clash (Nov 17) - Audiences Central's second Leadership Breakfast of 2010 explores the tourism and cultural agendas. See Events for details.

Concert tickets concern

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:04:00 GMT

The BBC has reported that concert promoters fear that ticket prices are set to rise.

Currently, 3% of all gig ticket money goes to PRS For Music, which passes it on to writers and composers.

But PRS for Music has announced the start of a formal customer consultation on its royalty rates for popular music events in the UK. The rate was last reviewed in 1988; one of the lowest rates in the world, charges of up to 10% are applied in other European countries.

Jeremy Fabinyi, Executive Director Licensing, PRS for Music said: “As the organisation that represents the creators behind the music, it is right that we continually review our charges and approach, ensuring there is a fair balance between music users and creators. The live music industry has changed considerably in the last twenty years and this consultation will be open to everyone, to discuss the changes and whether the current tariff structure is relevant for today’s live scene in the UK.

“We all know the live industry has thrived and is a huge success story in the UK and globally. The world we all operate in now is a far removed one from that of 1988; we need to ensure that the right licensing approaches are in place to ensure the future success of live music in the UK.”

Consumer spending on live music was calculated as £1.45bn in 2009, up 4% on the previous year and over the last 20 years the economics of live have changed considerably. Secondary ticketing now plays a major role and the industry has been successful in growing ancillary revenues, through, for example, sponsorship, booking fees and food and drink sales.

BBC News quotes Melvin Benn (from Reading, Leeds and Latitude festivals), who describes any possible hike as it as "blatant money-grabbing".

With VAT also rising by 2.5%, Mr Benn, believes the cost of an average festival ticket would go up by about £10.

"The reality is that will only result in additional costs to the ticket-buyer and that's killing the goose that laid the golden egg," he says.

Stuart Littlewood, chairman of the Concert Promoters Association, adds: "We don't yet know what they're asking for but any increase would be most unwelcome."

For more information:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10510574.stm
www.prsformusic.com/

HEFCE funding for university museums and galleries

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:52:00 GMT

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) will distribute just over £10.5 million to university museums and galleries in England for the academic year 2010-2011. The funding will support 33 individual museums and galleries in 19 universities and colleges.

The museums and galleries cover a wide range of topics, including fine arts, cartoons, design, science, archaeology and rural life.

Among those benefitting are the University of Birmingham's Barber Institute (£160,000) and Lapworth Museum (£40,000).

The Barber is home to a prestigious fine art collection, which includes works by Botticelli, Giovanni Bellini, Rubens, Van Dyck, Poussin, Claude, Gainsborough, Turner, Ingres, Manet, Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Gauguin and Magritte, plus a collection of 15,000 Roman, Byzantine, Sasanian, and medieval Islamic coins, while the Lapworth is one of the oldest specialist geological museums in the UK.

For more information, see:
www.barber.org.uk
www.lapworth.bham.ac.uk

The funding announcement was made following a review led by Sir Muir Russell, former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Glasgow. The review panel considered submissions against three criteria:

- provision of service to the wider research community
- provision of a high-quality teaching experience to the wider higher education community
- activities which promote and provide the opportunity of successful participation in higher education and lifelong learning.

HEFCE Chief Executive, Sir Alan Langlands, said: 'Universities and colleges play an important role in the cultural heritage of the country, holding some of the finest and most important collections of artefacts in the country. By funding such a diverse and significant range of museums and galleries we recognise their important role in education and research and our responsibility to ensure that those collections are accessible to the public.'

The funding recognises the significant extra cost incurred by universities supporting museums and galleries which provide such significant services to the higher education community outside of their host institution.

www.hefce.ac.uk

Surge in cinema-going continues

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:50:00 GMT

Film Distributors’ Association (FDA) has announced that UK cinema-goers spent a monthly average of £86.1 million on cinema tickets in the first half of 2010. The January–June box-office total, £516.7 million, is 3% ahead of the first six months of 2009.

Distributors released 288 titles in UK cinemas in the first half of 2010, 18 more than in the same period of last year. The average of 11 releases each week indicates the huge choice and variety on offer to audiences.

With releases including Shrek Forever After, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Toy Story 3, Inception, Knight and Day, The A-Team, The Karate Kid and Salt still to come before the summer is out, the UK box-office is well on track to break the billion pound threshold in 2010. Around 25 million people are expected to go to the cinema in July and August alone.

The top five films in the first half of 2010 are:

1) Avatar starring Sam Worthington (released in UK cinemas on 18 December 2009)

2) Alice in Wonderland starring Johnny Depp (released on 5 March)

3) Iron Man 2 starring Robert Downey Jr. (released on 30 April)

4) Sex and the City 2 starring Sarah Jessica Parker (released on 28 May)

5) Clash of the Titans starring Sam Worthington (released on 2 April)

Three of the top five – Avatar, Alice in Wonderland and Clash of the Titans – were released in digital 3D. The growth of 3D at the cinema continues worldwide as digital systems replace 35mm projection. The UK is the most advanced territory in the world for digital distribution – three-quarters of all new releases are now presented in digital format as well as on 35mm prints. Furthermore, both Alice in Wonderland and Clash of the Titans were partly filmed in the UK.

Welcoming the new figures, FDA President, Lord Puttnam CBE, said: “I find it thrilling that cinemagoing remains so buoyant in the UK; and this is despite a great number of competing attractions and distractions including in recent weeks the hot weather and the World Cup. The cinema continues to offer a uniquely immersive, larger-than-life way to experience a story, and the roll-out of digital is generating brand new opportunities for audiences of all ages to enjoy. Here’s to a fantastic summer, in air-conditioned comfort, at the cinema!”

Ulster beats Ironbridge and Herbert to prize

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:02:00 GMT

The Ulster Museum, Belfast is the 2010 winner of The Art Fund Prize for museums and galleries.

Praised by the judges for its all-round excellence, the museum beat three other short-listed institutions, The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford; Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry, to win the £100,000 Prize.

The Ulster Museum was awarded the £100,000 Prize at a reception at RIBA in London, in recognition of Opening up the Ulster Museum, a three year, £17.8 million project, on July 1.

For more information, see: www.artfundprize.org.uk

Impact of the West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:15:00 GMT

The key achievements of the West Midlands Culture Programme for 2012 are presented in the report West Midlands Culture Programme for London 2012: An evaluation of impact (2008-2010).

The key findings include:

- Over 220,000 people have taken part in events and programmes so far

- The audience for the programme has been younger, socially broader and more culturally diverse than average for cultural programmes and the population as a whole in the region.

- People who have participated say that their perceptions of their locality’s offer in cultural and sporting terms has improved significantly

- Around £5 million of economic activity has been generated to date before multipliers

- Media coverage worth £660,000 of PR value has been created by the programme.

The report will be updated on a regular basis to monitor progress towards the programme’s goals. To find out more see: wmfor2012.com

RDAs RIP

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:50:00 GMT

Among those hit by the Conservative/ LibDem Goverment's emergency budget are the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) - a network of organisations who include Advantage West Midlands (AWM).

They are to be replaced by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in a process that will begin with a White Paper, published later this summer.

BBC News reports that the government said replacing the agencies was aimed at "improved co-ordination" of investment in the economy. A Treasury spokeswoman said that "local leaders" would be involved in the new partnerships. "They will have the advantage of understanding the particular needs of the area."

England's Regional Development Agencies responded: "We understand the White Paper will address detailed issues, such as the mechanism for creating LEPs, how their boundaries will be decided and the respective roles for local authorities and business. There is also the question of which economic development functions currently undertaken by the RDA Network will be led at national level in future.

"In the transition to new arrangements, RDAs’ responsibility is clear - to support and help government deliver their objectives. The RDA Network accepts change is coming and we are ready for it. We are committed to ensuring as smooth a transition as possible. For us, it is the work (and the expertise that underpins it) that matters, more than the institutional arrangements – vital work at such a critical time for the national economy.

"It is clear that funding available for economic development work will be more limited in coming years given the need to tackle the public deficit. We will do our best to minimise adverse impacts where we can, working with partners who have until now looked to us for investment support and know-how."

AWM have yet to release an official statement, although their website notes: "We know we’re making a difference - Advantage West Midlands generates £8.14 for every £1 we invest in the region - an increase on the previous return of £7.45."

www.advantagewm.co.uk
www.englandsrdas.com

New government delivers their first budget

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:56:00 GMT

Conservative /LibDem Government Chancellor George Osborne has delivered his first Budget (22 June, 2010).

Key points that relate to the cultural sector include:

The rate of VAT will rise from 17.5% to 20% from January 4, 2011

Public sector workers face a two-year pay freeze, although 1.7 million of those earning less than £21,000 will get a flat pay-rise worth £250 in both years

There are also changes to the threshold at which employers start to pay National Insurance, Corporation Tax and the small companies' tax rate.

For an at-a-glance summary, see BBC News:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10374475.stm

For further information, see The Budget on Directgov - including summary, speech and full report
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Budget/Budget2010/DG_186500

Independent museum sector worth nearly £500 million

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:22:00 GMT

Research from Association of Independent Museum (AIM) backs up the belief that every thousand visitors deliver approximately £30,000 to the economy.

The nine million visitors to independent museums therefore represent in the region of £337 million, with £124 million being spent on goods and services by the sector.

The research was conducted by DR Research and is published in the Economic Value of Independent Museums,

A toolkit for AIM members, which will allow them to calculate their own value to their local area, will be available soon via AIM's website.

www.aim-museums.co.uk

RFOs respond to funding cuts

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:56:00 GMT

With news of the Arts Council England cutting all RFO (regularly funded organisations) funding by 0.5%, reports estimate that West Midlands region faces a £243,000 cut in funding.

Both the RSC and BRB (who are set to loose £80,000 and £41,000 each), acknowledge the cuts are not as bad as they could have been, but as BRB's Christopher Barron and Audiences Central's CEO Ni Singh believe ... 2011/2012 could be even more problematic for the sector.

Speaking about the cuts, RSC Executive Director, Vikki Heywood, said: “It’s obviously disappointing news to receive any in-year cut, though we recognise that ACE has done its best to protect the work of regularly funded arts organisations.

"The arts will make a considerable contribution to the economic recovery of our country and our region and we will work hard to ensure the greatest public benefit is achieved through the work we do.”

Christopher Barron, Chief Executive of Birmingham Royal Ballet, commenting to Audiences Central, said: “Before the announcement on Friday the potential for Arts Council funding cuts to Regularly Funded Organisations was 4% in the current financial year. We are therefore relieved that the Arts Council has managed to reduce this to 0.5%.

"The bigger concern at the moment is for 2011/12, where funding cuts are expected from both Local Authority and Central Government sources. Public funding from all sources forms 69% of our annual turnover; hence cuts in public funding have a significant impact on our operation.”

Ni Singh, Audiences Central's CEO added: "The cuts are deeply concerning, not just for us, but for out members and the cultural sector as a whole. This in-year cut is worrying, however we expect the real pain to be next year."

For further details on each RFO in the region, see: artscouncil.org.uk

The June budget is also likely to have an affect on cultural organisations and several organisations across the UK have also reported that private investment has also dried up.

Inr elated news, the Express and Star has reported that all building projects at the Black Country Living Museum have been put on hold “for the next couple of years."

The £10 million Streets Ahead scheme to recreating 1930s high street will be completed, but plans to build a replica of Willenhall’s historic Locksmith’s House at the site will be shelved despite visitor figures soaring to more than 300,000 a year.

Read the full story at: expressandstar.com

DCMS savings announced

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:33:00 GMT

A Night Less Ordinary has got the chop as part of DCMS' plans to save £73 million.

Other cancelled projects include:

- free swimming for those aged 16 and under and over 60
- the planned Stonehenge Visitor Centre
- the British Film Institute (BFI) Film Centre

The Government has also decided not to pursue the £2 million (per annum) spending commitments set out in the Public Library Modernisation Review Policy statement published in March 2010. These were free internet access in all libraries and to promote library membership as an entitlement from birth. It also included extending the Public Lending Right to non-print format books, estimated at £300,000 – this has been suspended and will be considered as part of spending review in the Autumn.

Launched in February 2009, the A Night Less Ordinary scheme offered thousands of free theatre tickets to anyone under 26. It's cancellation will save in the regio of £0.1m.

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, stated: "We are facing an unprecedented financial situation in this country, and it is essential that we act now to reduce the country’s debt.

"We have examined a number of schemes to determine whether they remain a Government priority, value for money, and affordable in the current economic climate.

"This has involved some incredibly difficult decisions, but the cultural and sporting worlds, like everyone else, urgently need the country’s finances to be returned to a sustainable position."

For more information, see:
www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/7193.aspx
www.culture.gov.uk/news/media_releases/7191.aspx

Arts Council England implements £19 million cuts to 2010/11 budget

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:21:00 GMT

Arts Council England has given details of how it will implement the £19 million cut to its 2010/11 income from government, announced by the Department for Culture Media and Sport on 24 May.

The £19 million cut is in addition to an earlier in-year reduction of £4 million announced in the April 2009 Budget, meaning that the Arts Council’s original 2010/11 budget has been reduced by a total of £23 million from £468 million to £445 million.

In deciding how best to apportion the latest in-year cut the Arts Council has sought to protect and develop art, and the organisations that enable it to happen, to the fullest extent possible. The cut to regularly funded organisations’ 2010/11 income from Arts Council will, therefore, be limited to 0.5 per cent.

This has been made possible only by the exceptional use of £9 million of the Arts Council’s historic reserves, access to which was previously blocked by government. Had that not been the case, funded organisations would have sustained a three per cent (£10.8 million) cut.

The £19 million will be apportioned as follows:

£9 million from the Arts Council’s historic reserves
.
£1.8 million from revenue grants to regularly funded organisations (0.5% reduction)
.
£1.8 million from the revenue grants of the two highest funded organisations not directly producing art (£1.6 million from Creativity Culture and Education and £0.2 million from Arts & Business – a 4% reduction)
.
£0.4 million from further cuts to the Arts Council’s operating costs (bringing savings on operating costs to a total of £6.9 million this year)
.
£6 million from savings due to the postponement of a major public engagement project, cuts to our audience development plans, and to funds for partnership working with local authorities and the private sector

The reduction to regularly funded organisations’ grants will be taken from the final payment of the year (in most cases the quarterly payment due in January 2011) in order to give them the maximum time to adjust their financial plans.

Dame Liz Forgan, Chair of Arts Council England, said: “In-year cuts are always the most difficult to manage, because plans have already been made against an expected level of income. But we have done our best to minimise the effect on our funded organisations and the art they produce so brilliantly.

“Some immediate impact was inevitable, and in the longer term the arts sector will also feel the effect of the cutting back of projects that are key to its long term sustainability and development. But I am confident that the decisions we have taken are the right ones – for art, for artists and for the audiences we serve.”

Arts Council England’s budget for the next three years (2011-14) will be decided in the government’s Spending Review, for which results are expected in the autumn.

Speaking of the longer term picture, Dame Liz added: “The financial climate is tough, but the arts remain a compelling case for public investment. We will continue to put that case to government, and to make it clear that now reserves have been spent, the burden of any further cuts will fall on funded organisations.

“Sustained levels of public funding are vital if we are to protect the world class arts offer that previous government investment has built, and to maintain our long term ambitions to achieve great art for everyone in this country.”

For more information, see: www.artscouncil.org.uk

Museums face cuts

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:22:00 GMT

The Museums Association (MA) has reported that the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has to reduce its expenditure by 3 per cent this financial year (2010/2011) with all Renaissance in the Regions hubs asked to cut 2.4 per cent off their budgets.

A spokesperson told the organisation that MLA was reducing its core expenditure by 3 per cent and that its overheads were already down to 4.1 per cent of its total budget.

The MA goes on to report that the Strategic Commissioning programme, which funds education partnerships between national and regional museums and other education projects, will be cut by 3 per cent, while The Collections Trust and Culture24 both face cuts of 2 per cent. There's also a 6.5 per cent reduction for the Find Your Talent scheme, which is run by Culture, Creativity and Education.

As MLA aims to make cuts totalling £1,043,711, the West Midlands faces a reduction of £114,680.

To read the full story, see: www.museumsassociation.org

NCA and A&B launch Culture Forum

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:02:00 GMT

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) and Arts & Business are launching a new forum to represent the UK’s cultural sector in the debate on how best to reanimate private sector cultural funding in this period of economic difficulty.

The forum will be elected from a combined cultural membership of over 1,650 members who will vote for representatives to serve, initially for a year on a consultative task force, of up to 20 members. In the first instance the forum will focus on England.

Arts & Business and the NCA will open the call for candidates for election to the forum on June 17 2010. The vote by arts members will be at the beginning of July and the first dialogue of the elected representatives will take place before the end of July 2010.

There will be calls for nominations from among both arts memberships including Development Directors, fundraising professionals, CEOs and trustees to serve on this advisory forum.

Colin Tweedy, Chief Executive of Arts & Business, said: “The Chancellor has challenged the nation to begin a dialogue on the way forward. Arts & Business with the NCA are immediately responding by creating a dialogue with our combined arts memberships of over 1,650 cultural bodies, to identify the impact of where cuts might fall, where growth can come and how we can build our collective cultural capacity for the future.”

Louise de Winter, Director of the NCA, said: “The forum will be the independent voice for the arts focusing on the immediate needs of the arts and the role of the private sector in helping to deliver those needs. It will be democratically elected ensuring that voices from large and small, metropolitan and regional organisations are represented. We will be offering the forum as the consultative group that the Government can work with to make the best decisions for our cultural funding ecology going forward.

“Arts organisations are particularly vulnerable to local authority spending cuts and it is often those organisations away from the metropolitan centres that struggle with business and private funding. This forum provides an opportunity for the sector to identify strengths and weaknesses and create a platform on which arts organisations can build stronger relations with private funders, particularly in the regions.”

The Forum will form one strand of the NCA’s advocacy and engagement work in advance of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) this Autumn. NCA will be encouraging members to engage with the Government’s public spending conversation and we will be advising on the best way to do this at local, regional and national levels. They will also be publishing a number of resources for organisations to use in their advocacy work in advance of the CSR.

For more information, see:
www.artscampaign.org.uk
www.artsandbusiness.org.uk

Boom time for music festivals

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:55:00 GMT

Findings from the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) reports that the music festival business is defying the economic downturn and booming. The report also states that festivals contribute more than £1bn each year to the UK economy.

The Association of Independent Festivals is a non-profit trade association created to represent UK independent music festivals. The aim is to help the businesses of individual members, and help the needs of the independent festival sector. It was founded by DJ, label-owner and festival organiser Rob da Bank (Bestival) and Ben Turner (Graphite Media) and membr festivals include Bestival, Womad, Creamfields, Shambala, Secret Garden Party, Summer Sundae Weekender and Eden Sessions.

The survey questioned in the region of 5,000 festival attendees and discovered that AIF's 24 member festivals generate more than £130m into the economy with an estimated £12m going directly into local businesses close to festival sites.

But with an estimated 400 festivals taking place in the UK annually - many larger than AIF events - AIF calculate the total festival market generates a £1bn spend.

The survey also revelaed that 350,000 attend indpenedent music-based festivals annually and spend an average of £346 on festivals (including ticket price).

For more information, see: www.aiforg.com