Information update October 2009
Here is our Autumn 2009 update for local authority arts offices; we hope you find it interesting.
1. Regional Cultural Improvement Network
Through a bid to the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (RIEP), working in partnership with CLOA, £300k over the next three years has been secured to develop a Culture and Sport Improvement Network for the East of England. It focuses on sector led improvement, with the express intention of this being led by local government for local government.
Recruitment to drive the Network forward has been undertaken and Richard Hunt (
Richard and the team will be making contact shortly with their first e-zine and the network will commence delivery of its work programme from November.
2. Grants for the arts
In 2010, we are making some improvements to the Grants for the arts application process. These changes include:
§ the ability to submit applications online
§ increasing the number of projects that get a decision within six weeks
§ assessment of applications and monitoring of grants by a highly experienced and knowledgeable team based in a Grants for the arts centre in
There will be no alteration to the current eligibility criteria.
These changes will come into effect from 1 March 2010. To ensure the implementation is as efficient as possible, we will not be accepting new applications to Grants for the arts for a period of six weeks between Monday 18 January and Friday 26 February.
Details are now on our website at the following link: www.artscouncil.org.uk/grantsfortheartschanges
3. Next Essential Guide
The Essential Guide planned for 29 October has been postponed to February next year. We will advise the new date once it has been finalised.
4. Town Centre Initiatives – update on animating empty spaces
At the last Essential Guide in June, strategic arts consultancy Haring Woods presented some innovative and thought-provoking projects using vacant retail space, and the benefits to artists and communities.
We have put together information on initiatives, organisations and publications relevant to the animation of empty retail space through the arts which can be found here
As part of our action on recession, Arts Council England introduced Art in empty spaces, our £500,000 initiative to help artists and arts organisations turn vacant high street shops into vibrant artistic places. More details on applying can be found here
The programme is running in partnership with the DCLG’s scheme, Looking after our town centres, which is investing £3 million to reinvigorate ailing town centres during the recession.
We will be giving an update in the next Essential Guide.
5. Arts Council
You will be aware that, as part of a major organisation review, the Arts Council is in the process of implementing a new structure, which will be fully in place and operational by April 2010. Whilst we make these changes it is very much ‘business as usual, and we continue to lead the region and build on its reputation as one of the most vibrant arts communities in the country, helping to ensure we meet the Arts Council’s goal of getting ‘great art to everyone’.
Please see the contacts list in the 'Documents' section at the bottom of the page for our current staff.
6. Cultural Olympiad update
Our new interim Creative Programmer is Alastair Haines. Please see an update from Alastair in the 'Documents' section at the bottom of the page, which includes details of two of the major projects. Unlimited will celebrate disability arts, culture and sport; and Discovering Places aims to give young people the chance to discover and explore historic and contemporary buildings and places.
7. Artists taking the lead
Arts Council England and London 2012 announced on 22 October that Pacitti Company’s ‘On Landguard Point’ has been selected as the East of England winner of a £500,000 commission for Artists taking the lead, one of the major projects for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Suffolk-based artist Robert Pacitti’s winning idea is a mass public research around notions of home. A feature film, starring members of the local community alongside leading artists, will be created from a series of spectacular large scale participatory outdoor events. The events will take place across the region and explore key themes of trade, defence and migration.
On Landguard Point was selected by an independent panel of artists and producers from five projects shortlisted in August out of a total of 115 regional entries.
For more details see the press release in the 'Documents' section at the bottom of the page, and the Artists taking the lead website www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk
8. Escalator East to
Escalator is an Arts Council England, East initiative which aims to identify, nurture and develop artistic talent in the East.
Escalator East to
Escalator East to Edinburgh is open to emerging / mid-career artists and companies based in the East of England who are thinking of taking work up to the ‘Edinburgh Festivals’ and feel they would benefit from structured support.
The application process is in two stages, with an initial deadline of 20 November.
Further details and how to apply are in the East to
9. Youth Music – Open Programme open for online applications
Youth Music’s Open Programme provides grants of between £5,000 and £30,000. It aims to increase the number of children and young people with access to high quality, sustainable music making activities across
They are keen to fund projects which clearly progress the musical skills of children and young people and/or provide them with pathways for further progression. They are also interested in projects which are particularly distinctive or innovative in their approach.
If you would like to know more about the programme or to take a look at the new online application form, please visit the Open Programme page on their website
Applications are welcome any time, but the next closing dates for 2009/10 are:
10 November 2009; 10 February 2010; and 10 May 2010.
For more information and guidance please contact Lyndall Rosewarne, Youth Music Regional Executive Officer -East of
10. Writers’ Centre
Each year writers in need of support at critical stages in their careers benefit from the Escalator Literature scheme which develops new talent in the Eastern region. This year the competition was open to early career writers of literary fiction and creative non-fiction. The ten winners, who will embark on a year-long programme of support covering training, mentoring, assistance with Grants for the Arts funding, and an opportunity to showcase work and meet agents and publishers. Please visit the Escalator winners page on the Writers’ Centre website to read extracts from their work – you may just be reading the next big thing!
Writers’ Centre Norwich is leading a bid for
Mailing list
The email address list for this information update includes contacts on our lists of arts development officers and invitees to the Essential Guides and other events. If this email has been forwarded to you by another colleague and you would like to be added to the list, or if you would prefer not to receive these updates in future, please let me know.
WIth kind regards
Helen
Helen Dixon, Administrator, Resource Development
Arts Council England East
helen.dixon@artscouncil.org.uk
01223 454407
Documents
- 2012 Creative Programmer update (Word, 37.5Kb)
- Artists taking the lead press release 22 Oct 09 (Word, 62.5Kb)
- Arts Council England East staff list October 2009 (Word, 44Kb)
- East to Edinburgh 2010 flyer (PDF, 240.50Kb)