The Lowry, one of the UK?s leading arts centres, has entered into a three-year partnership with the radio station Classic FM. The station will support various production and the two organisations will jointly undertake a series of education and outreach projects in Salford and the surrounding area.
A wide-ranging programme of literature training is being launched by the New Writing & Literature Consortium, an initiative by seven leading literature organisations to support the professional development of writers and others working within new writing and literature. Options include intensive trainee-ship programmes, residential courses, seminars to special interest groups and online materials. Contact Philippa Johnston t: 0131 553 2210; e: p.johnston@nawe.co.uk
London Arts is inviting members of ethnic minority communities in Barnet, Brent or Tower Hamlets who are involved in the arts, to contribute to a new research project into culturally diverse arts activity. Artists and arts organisations which do not have a relationship with London Arts or receive funding from their local councils are particularly welcome. The aim of the research is to ensure that funding in the capital represents all of London?s diverse communities. Contact Alis Templeton t: 020 7420 9700 e: atempleton@ablconsulting.com
The new edition of The Guide to UK Company Giving reveals that cash donations and community contributions from businesses in the UK have changed little in the past ten years. Between 1990/91 and 2000/01 the top 400 companies more than doubled their giving in monetary terms, but as a percentage of pre-tax profits this has remained constant at around 0.42% of pre-tax profits. w: http://www.dsc.org.uk
arts4schools, a website involving more than 150 of the UK?s performing arts companies, formally launches on September 23. Basic membership is free, enabling arts organisations to profile their education work on a site specifically targeted at schools? audiences. Contact Maria Evans t: 020 8201 9124;
e: maria.evans@arts4schools.com; w:http://www.arts4schools.com
A specially produced ?Classical Discoveries? CD has been distributed free to 28,000 readers of Birmingham?s entertainment magazine TSM in a collaboration between The Birmingham Post and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The CD launches a series of articles to introduce readers to the orchestra?s players, instruments, music styles and forthcoming concerts.
Making Music, the leading membership organisations for amateur musicians, has introduced an Associate Membership category to enable anyone involved in performing live music, whether or not a constituted Society, to join and take advantage of its member services. Contact Duncan Barker t: 0870 872 3300
e: duncan@makingmusic.org.uk
Obiturary
Paul Sadler, who recently left his position as Director of Havant Arts and had just celebrated his 50th birthday, passed away unexpectedly on Friday 30 August from a heart attack. Paul had made plans to begin a new life touring Europe with his partner Nigel and subsequently establishing a gîtes complex in the South of France. He had overseen the gallery extension built at Havant Arts Centre and the link up with Bedhampton Arts Centre, and was very supportive of new companies, particularly Ginger Dance Theatre and Cardboard & String Theatre Company. From 1992?1997 he had contributed to the national arts scene as Board Director of the ITC.