A new audience development project commissioned jointly by Arts Council England, Re:source, English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund is to focus on cultural organisations that have tried ? or would like to try ? to become more inclusive by changing their overall message and positioning. 25 organisations will be selected to work with a team of experts in innovation and organisational change, to come up with new strategies over a 12-month period. To apply to be involved, contact Maddy Morton e: maddy@maddymorton.com
A new information service for the arts and education sectors will be launched in May in the West Midlands. Arts organisations planning events or providing training opportunities between May and September this year should contact James Duckett. e: info@aliss.org.uk
Collateral Damage, a series of free early evening events in which a wide range of artists present their responses to the ongoing global situation, is being informally staged at the National Theatre. The series aims to illuminate, examine, satirise and grapple with the issues that surround the impending war with Iraq. Admission is free and unticketed, although numbers may be limited. w: http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/collateraldamage
Chicken Shed Theatre Company is to be featured on China Central Television for a documentary about how individuals and businesses can get involved in supporting the arts. 1.6 billion viewers are expected to see the programme.
The Scottish Artists Union is running a series of informal surgeries across Scotland, at which representatives of the Union?s Executive Committee aim to meet their members and other visual arts practitioners who wish to hear about the Union?s work and share their views. e: scottish.artists.union@ecosse.net
The Circus Arts Forum is holding its second free conference on April 7 in London, aimed at anyone with a professional interest in circus. International professionals from within and outside the circus industry will highlight good practice and introduce techniques for reaching new and existing audiences. To book, t: 020 7729 7944; e: conference@circusarts.org.uk
A new festival of professional theatre, dance and film for children aged 3-13, known as The Spark, will be taking place in Leicestershire in June 2003. Festival events will visit community venues and include performances, workshops and two public seminars on writing for children. w: http://www.sparkfestival.co.uk
The scope of a new suite of qualifications for teachers of music, introduced by Trinity College London, has been broadened. The former emphasis on live performance and on the western classical tradition is now complemented by attention to other musical genres and disciplines. A professional practice element focuses on vocational skills such as business planning, marketing and health and safety. w: http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk
Shape is offering one-to-one sessions with trained guides, all with artistic experience in a variety of artforms, to support disabled artists or performers in their artistic and professional practice. Contact Catherine Bloodworth at Shape. t: 020 7619 6165; e: catherine@shapearts.org.uk
A new Centre for Creative Enterprise & Participation has been launched at Dartington College of Arts, providing a range of specialist services for creative businesses and arts practitioners in the region. Part of its remit is to support students and recent graduates into work and encourage staff to start up businesses from the College. e: enterprise@dartington.ac.uk