NewsReel

A summary of the key issues pertaining to the new Licensing Bill has been displayed on the Making Music website. Written in consultation with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the article examines the current position regarding licensing for public performances, including contacts and exemptions.
t: 0870 903 3780; e: [email protected];
w: http://www.makingmusic.org.uk/licensing03

A new guide and application form for Small Grants in the Creative and Performing Arts is now available from the Arts and Humanities Research Board. The scheme provides support of up to £5,000 to meet the direct costs of research projects, including costs of travel and subsistence, and replacement teaching costs. The next closing date for applications is October 31. Contact Gail Lambourne, t: 0117 9876670; e: [email protected]

The Sustaining Life Project is developing a database of practitioners, artists, groups and organisations working on interdisciplinary projects involving water. To submit information to the project, part of the Social Sculpture research unit at Oxford Brookes University, e: [email protected]

A part-time course being run by North West Disability Arts Forum from October to December will be making arts business skills training available for disabled or deaf artists thinking of working freelance or starting a business. t: 0151 707 1733;
e: [email protected]

A new initiative to improve the dialogue between the arts and businesses has been launched by Cohn & Wolfe’s sponsorship team. The Culturepreneur Network brings together specialists from the worlds of arts funding, art project creation, sponsorship, marketing and sales with the aim of creating alternative approaches to arts sponsorship. t 020 7629 9645; e: [email protected]

A day of discussion and debate on the theme of Cultural Diversity and the Classical Music Industry will take place at London’s Royal Festival Hall on October 7. Organised by the Association of British Orchestras, the conference will bring together arts professionals and specialists in cultural diversity.
t: 020 7287 0333; e: [email protected]

Collect, a new art fair for contemporary objects, is being launched by the British Crafts Council at the V&A in February 2004. It will showcase the work of internationally-renowned artists with presentations from leading UK and international galleries and dealers. t: 020 7806 2512; e: [email protected]

Following their success in the Scottish heats of the Broadband Britain Challenge Awards, Hi-Arts has won the public sector category of the national final. The organisation provides a range of online services, support and information to the arts community in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. w: http://www.hi-arts.co.uk

Planning permission has been granted for the Devon Guild of Craftsmen to undertake a period of development work on the Riverside Mill in Bovey Tracey, creating the largest space dedicated to contemporary craft in the South West. t: 01626 832223;
e: [email protected]

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) has launched the Open 4 All campaign to advise businesses that will be affected by the Disability Discrimination Act. The DRC has published five myths and facts outlining commonly held misapprehensions about the forthcoming legislation. t: 020 7211 4059.

Three decades of street arts in the UK are celebrated in a publication, based on a symposium held last year. ‘Street Arts: A User’s Guide’ will provide an analysis of key issues in current practice of street arts in Britain. t: 020 7633 9330;
e: [email protected]

The Arts Council of Wales has commissioned a feasibility study to assess the potential for setting up marketing consortia to serve the North Wales and Mid Wales regions. To be involved in the consultation, contact Angela Tillcock. t: 029 2056 1600;
e: [email protected]

The Refugee Council will be presenting ‘SPEAK!’ on October 23, a fundraising event featuring readings and Q&A sessions with contemporary writers including Harold Pinter and Monica Ali. The event will take place in the Actor’s Church in London. t: 020 7582 3660; w: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk

The Leisure Studies Association is seeking papers for presentation at its conference at Leeds Metropolitan University in July 2004. The conference will focus on issues relating to young people’s engagement with leisure.
w: http://www.leisure-studies-association.info.

Prevista Ltd has been commissioned to identify the needs of London-based artists in relation to moving image production. The aim of the research is to make informed recommendations to improve availability and increase access to production facilities for artists working in film. t: 020 7609 4198; w: http://www.prevista.co.uk

The Corn Exchange, Newbury, has announced a rise in youth audiences following the successful implementation of a community partnership programme. In 2002-3 15-24 year olds made up 19% of the total audience, up from 6% before the initiative began.

Time for Change? a regional network meeting focussing on the issues of public art practice within local authorities, will take place at Steam – the Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon on November 4. t: 01392 218188;
e: [email protected].

The results of a research project into the economic and social impact of cultural festivals in the East Midlands have been published by Arts Council England, East Midlands. Conducted by
De Montfort University, the project, ‘Festivals and the Creative Region’, studied 11 festivals. w: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk

‘More Than Fun’, a new video demonstrating good practice involving people with learning difficulties in the arts, has been prepared as part of Mencap’s arts strategy. Accompanied by a booklet, the video can be used to inform people with learning difficulties about the potential of arts projects. t: 020 7700 8171; w: http://www.mhmedia.com