Come and Play, the national music making initiative run by 4children, has launched a resource pack to help workshop leaders and playworkers encourage music-making in out-of-school clubs and holiday schemes. t: 020 7512 2100; w: http://www.4children.org.uk
The Centre for Arts Development in Liverpool has been re-launched to support creative entrepreneurs in the city. The centre provides free professional development programmes for artists planning to start their own businesses and for community arts practitioners wanting a professional qualification in project management. w: http://www.cadt.org.uk
Arts & Business Northern Ireland has received a National Training Award for its ?Train the Artist Trainer? and ?Creativity in Management? courses, which train artists to use arts-based skills and techniques to deliver business training and development to non-arts organisations.
The National Gallery together with Tui Interactive Media has won ?Presentation of the Year? at the 2004 AV Industry Awards for the Gallery?s plasma screen information system in the new East Wing. The Public Information Display System, developed in conjunction with Tui Interactive Media, provides visitors with information as they enter the building while introducing selected paintings from the Gallery?s collection.
Live and Direct, a new training course for emerging Black and Asian theatre directors, has been established by Contact, Nitro and Tara Arts in association with Zion Arts. The two-week course of lectures, workshops and masterclasses runs from December 6-18. e: liveanddirect@contact-theatre.org.uk
The Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) programme of Research Fellowships has been expanded to include Scottish artists and scientists. The Fellowships can be undertaken on a full- or part-time basis and offer support up to £38,000. The AHRB has also launched the third round of its Project Fund scheme for museums, galleries and collections. The scheme provides up to £30,000 for up to one year to support projects that will improve the management and care of small collections. w: http://www.ahrb.ac.uk
?Market Matters: the dynamics of the contemporary art market?, a new publication analysing the national and international art market, has been published by Arts Council England. Drawing on interviews and research, it examines the relationship between artists and dealers and looks at ways of enhancing and increasing sales of challenging contemporary art. w: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/newaudiences
Youth Music is running a consultation exercise through November and December to ensure its funding process is accessible and fair. The current Open Programmes scheme will close at the end of March 2005 with the new funding streams due to launch in June 2005. w: http://www.youthmusic.org.uk
The Arts Council of Wales is calling for arts organisations to register free of charge on its arts database. The database currently lists over 500 artists, organisations and festivals, and all registered artists and organisations receives their own mini web-page to showcase examples of work and links to websites and email addresses. w: http://www.artswales.org/artsdb/apply.asp
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is conducting a survey into visiting companies? views of Fringe venues, to give star ratings which will be published in the guide to venues for visiting companies. Companies will be asked to rate performance spaces, technical and marketing support and value for money.