Funding has been approved by the Scottish Arts Council for a new information website for Youthlink Scotland?s member organisations. The project, ?Get into the Arts?, will develop a web-based database of information about arts related venues, contacts and case studies which can be used by youth groups and arts organisations to increase both participation and attendance.
Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries has published two recently commissioned research reports ? ?Neighbourhood Renewal and Social Inclusion? and ?Volunteers in the Cultural Sector?. Both reports are available to download.
t: 020 7273 1444; w: http://www.resource.gov.uk
Sponsorship Consulting Ltd, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, has published ?The Guide to Sponsorship Best Practice?, as a source of practical reference. The book features current trends as well as ways in which sponsorship can be developed and its success evaluated. t: 020 7582 0994
e: wendy.stephenson@sponsorshipconsulting.co.uk
w: http://www.sponsorshipconsulting.co.uk
Two new support programmes have been launched for artists and practitioners in the East Midlands Region. The ArtStart Programme will combine individual advisory support for small organisations or freelances with the provision of a base for up to 12 months at Arts Training Central?s Leicester Offices. AtTaChment offers customised support on a non-residential basis. t: 0116 242 5202; w: http://www.artstrainingcentral.co.uk
The Hull and East Riding Community Health NHS Trust has appointed an Arts in Health Development Manager, funded entirely from the health service, and has appointed consultants to devise a comprehensive strategy for the further development of Arts in Health across the Trust. t: 01482 617821; e: elaine.burke@herch-tr.nhs.uk
Evolution 2002: International Media Arts Festival will be taking place in Leeds from October 10-12, with a programme of seminars and discussions, film and video screenings, live performances and exhibitions. t: 0113 246 9850 e: info@lumen.net; w: http://www.lumen.net
Stage Exchange, a programme jointly managed by Audiences Yorkshire and Yorkshire Arts, is to provide funding for Pilot Theatre to develop and extend a residency at York Theatre Royal. The relationship will be developed through extensive education work and an increase in the number of productions each year. The overall vision of Stage Exchange is to bring about cultural change amongst presenting venues so that programming and audience development can be delivered in line with joint objectives.
Following an internal review of the scheme a number of changes have been introduced this year for the Arts and Humanities Research Board?s Fellowships in the Creative and Performing Arts. This year's closing date for applications has been put back to October 18. Guidance and application forms are available at w: http://www.ahrb.ac.uk/research/index.htm
Shape London is to run two sign language courses for hearing people working in the arts. The aim of the courses is to aid compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (coming into force January 2004) and facilitate better communication with Deaf patrons. e: john@shapearts.org.uk; w: http://www.shapearts.org.uk
Regional arts groups, local authorities and representatives from rural community groups are being invited to submit proposals for seminar topics at ?Rural Shift: The Arts, Social Inclusion and the New Rural Agenda?, a two day conference aimed at establishing a new role for the arts in response to the rural social inclusion agenda. The conference is to be held in Derbyshire from October 22-23.
t: 01706 827961; e: littoral@btopenworld.com
A research report entitled ?The Big Sink? and published by the Clore Foundation has identified the characteristics of successful art-exploration spaces in schools, galleries and museums. The research aimed to provide a model for future best practice in the design, building, resourcing and management of such creative spaces. The next stage will include case studies of the development and use of a range of creative spaces in schools, galleries and museums. w: http://www.art-works.org.uk
Asian Arts Access has devised a new programme of support for local authorities and regional arts boards which aims to help policy makers and planners identify and support new Asian arts organisations, and develop proposals in time to access cultural diversity funding under forthcoming programmes to be announced by the Arts Council of England. Contact Kalwant Ajimal e: ajimal@btconnect.com
Researcher Mel Jennings is undertaking research into the use of Ambassadors to develop arts audiences, and would like to hear from arts organisations running an Ambassador scheme or using a similar approach to audience development. Commissioned by the Arts Council of England, the research will lead to the publication next year of a best practice guide. t: 020 8677 0957; e: meljen@easynet.co.uk