Producers David Ian (for Clear Channel Entertainment) and Howard Panter (for Ambassador Theatre Group) have announced a new joint venture pantomime production company, First Family Entertainment.
The Independent Theatre Council (ITC), Theatrical Management Association (TMA) and Society of London Theatres (SOLT) are now recruiting performing arts organisations and participants to take part in Fast Track 2005, the work placement and training scheme that encourages Black, Asian and other minority ethnic people to work as managers and administrators in the performing arts sector. Contact Carol Sidney. t: 020 7089 6820.
Chelsea College of Art and Design has opened for the spring term at its new premises within a new campus on London?s Millbank, adjacent to Tate Britain. The site formerly housed the Royal Army Medical College.
A series of workshops for small- and medium-scale performing arts companies producing work relevant to people of Asian and African descent in the UK starts this month, run by Future Histories. Participants will learn about the practicalities of organising and storing performing arts archives. Contact Annette Telesford. e: annette@futurehistories.org.uk; t: 020 7281 3709
The Disability Rights Commission has launched a consultation among public sector bodies which will be affected by changes to the Disability Discrimination Act which come into force next year. These changes will mean that public sector bodies will have a duty to promote the equalisation of opportunities for disabled people. w: http://www.drc-gb.org; t: 08457 622 633
Data analysis supplier Purple Seven has teamed up with a US company, Patron Technology to offer new e-marketing software to UK arts organisations. The software aims to enable arts marketers to execute email marketing campaigns in-house, with no technical training. w: http://www.purpleseven.co.uk; t: 01926 496090
Arts Council England and Channel 4 have launched 4Dance 2005, a collaboration that will involve the commissioning of new dance films and the purchase of existing dance films to be included in a 90-minute special to be broadcast on Channel 4 in December 2005.
A new performing arts organisation in Northern Ireland, Music Theatre 4 Youth, is set to offer young people aged 11 to 21 the chance to create well known musicals at the weekends. Supported by Dance Northern Ireland and The Tughan Trust, and in association with the Grand Opera House and Sargent Cancer Care for Children, the organisation will give participants the chance to work with international choreographers and artistic directors.
More places are being made available this year for creative businesses in the East Midlands to join the Headstart Programme, a new initiative offering free advisory and mentoring support to help them grow. Companies which employ three or more people and are based in ESF Objective 2 areas are eligible to apply. Contact Sapna Chandihok, e: sapna@artstrainingcentral.co.uk t: 0116 242 5202.