A catalogue featuring hundreds of titles from the British Film Institute (bfi) collection that feature disability, has been published with a view to promoting greater understanding of disability film. Entitled ?White Sticks, Wheels and Crutches: disability and the moving image?, the catalogue includes introductory essays on subjects ranging from mental illness and sexuality to eugenics. Contact Cate McKay-Hayes at the bfi t: 020 7815 1343; e: cate.mckay-haynes@bfi.org.uk
An award to celebrate the work of artists with learning difficulties is being set up by Equata, the South West?s regional Disability Arts Agency. The annual award will be awarded to the artist who best uses visual art to change attitudes to disabled people. Contact Gillian Taylor 01392 229207
The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has updated the application guidelines for its grant programmes, including grants for Arts & Heritage. The programme is inviting funding applications that focus on excellence and artistic quality, alongside the development of artists and expanding arts provision to under-served areas. t: 020 7297 4700; w: http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk
A series of funding initiatives to support the promotion of the arts abroad have been launched by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI). £100,000 has been allocated for Arts & Artists Abroad, to contribute towards touring costs of performance, exhibition and presentation of Northern Irish works both outside and within the other regions of the UK. A further £75,000 will support Artists? Residencies in Canada, USA and Italy.
The Scottish Arts Council is inviting applications from professional groups and tour organisers to take their music to the far flung corners of Scotland. The aim of the scheme is to expand the range and diversity of music on offer within Scotland, and to bring artists to audiences who may not have previously had the opportunity to experience their style of music. Applications must be made by May 30, and application forms are at http://www.scottisharts.org.uk/funding/funding_guide.htm
A research study of copyright and intellectual property issues, conducted by the Arts and Humanities Research Board Research Centre in Intellectual Property and Technology Law, is preparing a best practice guide to intellectual property issues in Scotland. Respondents are being sought from the Scottish arts, cultural heritage, libraries and archives services to contribute to the research which will inform the guide. See the questionnaire at w: http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/ahrb/publications/online/dcquestions.rtf
A publication telling the stories and sharing the experiences of pre-school children participating in West Yorkshire Playhouse?s ?Imaginary Worlds? project is now available. Contact Lisa Parrott (see ?Professionals? p15) t: 0113 213 7290