I would like to correct the assumptions made by Christina Dixon of MAX in her letter regarding Midlands Arts Marketing (ArtsProfessional issue 9, September 10).
As the major shareholder of MAM, East Midlands Arts made every attempt it could to help the company survive. We supported MAM through its initial crisis in 1997 by consolidating all of its debts into a ten-year loan of £200,000. However, in September 2000 it became evident that MAM?s trading position was such that it was unlikely to be able to repay this loan. In February the Board of EMA, on the advice of our auditors and following an objective analysis of MAM's trading position, took the decision to write-off of the outstanding debt and seek a buyer for the company. A management buy-out was proposed but fell through after the loss of a major contract. The Directors of MAM took the decision to cease trading.
Like all the RABs, EMA is a registered charity; it would prejudice our charitable status if we were to invest further resources into a commercial company when we could not reasonably expect them to be returned. Audience development does, however, remain a key priority for EMA. With the support of ACE, we are examining how we can best provide the audience development research and support necessary to work with all of the arts organisations and artists in our region.