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The National Audit Office has launched an investigation into the work of NESTA, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts. The focus of its research will be on awareness of the organisation, its application processes, decision making, evaluation and funding. Comments should be submitted by July 31. e: nestacomments@nao.gsi.gov.uk

A further 780 schools have been granted Artsmark awards in the third round of the national arts scheme for schools, which aims to raise the national profile of arts education and encourage schools to increase arts provision. The total number of Artsmark schools now stands at 1,722. The closing date for applications for the fourth round of the scheme, managed by Arts Council England, is December 5.
w: http://www.artsmark.org.uk; t: 0800 056 0196

Full Circle Arts, which is co-ordinating arts activities taking place during the European Year of Disabled People on behalf of Arts Council England, is running a series of free seminars aimed at disabled artists and small disability-led arts groups. The seminars will take place in June and July in Preston, Nottingham, Brighton, Exeter and York, and will explain how to set up projects, as well as give tips on fundraising and writing funding applications. t: 0161 279 7878; e: phil@fullcirclearts.co.uk

The ADAPT Trust is seeking nominations for its 2003 awards for ?Excellence in Access?, either from individuals who wish to recommend a venue or from venues themselves. The main award of £3,000 and three highly commended awards of £1,000 each will be awarded to venues that offer excellent access facilities for disabled people.
t: 0141 556 2233; e: adapt.trust@virgin.net

Manchester?s Contact Theatre, in partnership with the British Council, is seeking six UK-based young people?s theatre companies to participate in a project known as Contacting the World 2004. The companies involved will be twinned with theatre groups from countries including Malaysia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and will work with them via the Internet to devise new theatre to be performed in Manchester in July 2004. Expressions of interest must be made by June 30. t: 0161 274 0629;
w: http://www.contact-theatre.org or http://www.connectingfutures.com

A new arts and ICT resource for children aged 5-10 has been launched by the Institute of International Visual Arts in collaboration with Middlesex University. The DARE Primary CD-Rom features work by children from Columbia Primary School and includes a supporting booklet for parents and teachers. w: http://www.dareonline.org; t: 020 7729 9616

A five-day festival in Stratford-upon-Avon from June 24-28 will provide the public with an insight into the work of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Following on from a successful open day which was visited by over 10,000 people, Theatrefair ?03 will give visitors the chance to try out techniques such as stage combat and vocal training, as well as theatre games and storytelling workshops for children, and talks and readings from actors and directors involved in the current season. t: 01789 403439

Falmouth College of Arts and Dartington College of Arts have been commissioned to conduct an action research study on the role that higher education institutions play in providing continuing professional development opportunities for arts and design practitioners in the South West. To contribute to the study,
e: suzanne.currell@falmouth.ac.uk (visual arts, crafts and design) or c.radford@dartington.ac.uk (performing arts & music).

The Lecture List, a web-based resource promoting lectures on any subject to general audiences across the UK, has been launched by Niminim supported by a £100,000 award from NESTA. The searchable service will be free of charge for both lecture organisers and users who will be able to register for email updates about events in particular parts of the country, or on particular topics. w: http://www.lecturelist.org

A database of professional artists, performers, writers and craftmakers in West Sussex is being created by Sussex Arts Marketing. The West Sussex Arts Register will be distributed on CDs through Arts Development Officers in the area and will be used to circulate information on funding, training, commissions and events to the registered artists. t: 01273 882112; w: http://www.artsinsussex.com/artsregister

Writers? Factory Screenwriting Bursaries of up to £10,000 are available to writers based in Scotland as a result of a new partnership between Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen and Scottish Enterprise which aims to develop screenwriting in Scotland. Awards will be available for both short course and postgraduate screenwriting training either in the UK or abroad, and the first deadline for applications is July 4 2003.
t: 0131 240 2404; w: http://www.scottisharts.org.uk

ABL Cultural Consulting is to evaluate the Royal Opera House?s 2003 Paul Hamlyn Performances, which aim to extend access for people outside the traditional audience. Research methods will include ?Blogging?, the use of online web diaries.

The Scottish Arts Council is making £250,000 available for the local authorities to initiate new art projects. Local authorities involved in the Scottish Executive Cultural Co-ordinators for Schools programme are to be funded to develop projects in partnership with arts, heritage or cultural organisations, including cross-departmental projects in conjunction with social work, health or environment departments.

A new Disability Database will provide a comprehensive free resource to help museums, archives and libraries find specialist help on disability issues. Disability trainers, auditors or consultants are invited to submit their details for inclusion in the project. t: 020 7273 1459; w: http://www.resource.gov.uk

The UK?s first degree programme in Theatre Performance and Workshop Practice for students with learning difficulties is to be established at Rose Bruford College by the Razor Edge Theatre Initiative. The course has been developed by theatre and education practitioners Mike Ormerod and Irene Kappes (pictured), and aims to equip students with the skills, understanding and confidence required to take up employment in theatre and related professions. It is being launched with a £180,000 award from NESTA, the National Endowment for Science, Technology & the Arts, which will go towards employing a team of lecturers with learning difficulties to act as mentors, provide leadership support and role models for the students.