A campaign to ?Save the Short Story? has been initiated by Northern Arts. The campaign stems from a survey of writers conducted by Mslexia magazine. The research found that although over two thirds of the writers who responded to the survey were producing short stories, only 20 short story collections, of which only 7 were by UK authors, were published by mainstream publishers in the UK in the 12 months to June 2002. w: http://www.mslexia.co.uk
The inaugural Manchester Art Show will be held at Urbis in Manchester from February 6-9. Aiming to make contemporary art more accessible, the event will also feature an exhibition of work by undergraduate students from regional art schools and colleges. The public will be invited to vote for an overall winner which will be exhibited at Urbis for a year. w: http://www.manchesterartshow.co.uk
Imperial War Museum North has welcomed its 300,000th visitor, achieving its first year target only six months after opening. Its new exhibition and events programme will include its first major special exhibition, ?In the Mood?, which will explore 100 years of music, dance, theatre and film in the context of war. w: http://www.iwm.org.uk
?Hurt Until It Laughs?, a new project organised by Phoenix Arts and Leicester Comedy Festival, will use comedy to take a serious look at men?s health issues. Working with partners from both the arts and health sectors, the first phase of the project will culminate in a video focussing on young people?s experiences of health services and the second stage will create a touring stand-up comedy show encouraging adult men not to ignore symptoms of ill health.
DanceXchange has launched a Dance Artists in Residence (DAIR) scheme using a network of dance artists to increase access to dance through residencies, workshops and performances. The one-year pilot project also aims to help develop the dance infrastructure throughout the West Midlands.
t: 0121 689 3177; e: jane.ralls@dancexchange.org.uk
Arts Council of Wales (ACW) will be holding its first Annual Conference in May / June 2003. The event will present an opportunity to discuss future developments in the arts in the light of ACW?s Five Year Arts Development Strategy. To register an interest in attending: e: conference@artswales.org.uk. Copies of the strategy are at w: http://www.artswales.org.uk/aboutus/publications.asp
A programme of discussions, performances and workshops on the subject of the arts, well-being and health has been organised by Canterbury Christ Church University College. The events will take place between March and June.
t: 01227 782709; e: gms1@cant.ac.uk
A new series of information bulletins has been published by the National Association of Music Educators, on the subjects of copyright, music Internet resources and professional development in music. t: 01629 760791; w: http://www.name.org.uk