A strategic guide to managing the energy use of a cultural building has been published by Julie’s Bicycle in partnership with The Theatres Trust. ‘Energising Culture’ is the first of two guides that aim to equip leaders with an understanding of energy demand and supply, and the implications for business models. Julie’s Bicycle said that rethinking the way cultural organisations use energy will “save both money and carbon, especially as fossil fuel prices continue to rise”. The guide also covers the current range of financial incentives, funding sources and investment models available to organisations.
www.juliesbicycle.com/resources/publications/energising-culture
www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/publications
Answers to the most commonly asked questions about music education hubs and the work they do have been published in a new guide by the National Association of Music Educators. The guide emphasises the importance of schools and other partners working with hubs to develop high quality music education. A list of the lead organisations for hubs in each local authority area is also available online.
A petition campaigning for an update of the European regulation concerned with taking musical instruments on planes has been launched by the International Federation of Musicians (FIM). The lack of an industry-wide policy which takes into account the problems faced by professional musicians travelling on planes is “a serious hindrance to the mobility of artists”, states the petition, which is supported by the Musicians’ Union. FIM proposes that new EU legislation be modelled on the recent US FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act.
A new creative hub has been opened in St Andrews to support events and festival organisers in the Fife area. The shared office space was made possible by a £150,000 grant from Creative Scotland’s Creative Places Award, which St Andrews received as the winner of the ‘Places with Under 100,000 Residents’ category. It will act as a base for the St Andrews Year of Celebration and Fife Council Festivals Development, with mobile desk space, a meeting area, wireless internet access and portable computer technology.
Entertainment marketing agency aka is offering an extra incentive for booking tickets to its productions through a new partnership with Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club. Members are now able to earn two air miles for every £1 spent on any aka event, ranging from theatre at The Old Vic to events at Imperial War Museum North. Head of Promotions & Marketing at aka Charlotte Thomson commented: “Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club is the perfect partner for our shows, with its affluent and discerning membership base of over two million members.”