The first of ten projects forming the Cultural Olympiad was launched last week, under the heading ‘Artists taking the lead’. Twelve artists will be awarded funds (up to £500,000 for each of the nine English regions, £190,000 for Northern Ireland, £460,000 for Scotland and £230,000 for Wales) to create 12 new works of art across the country. In each of the nations and regions submissions will be judged by panels, comprising artists, the Creative Programmers (representatives of London 2012 outside the capital who help to shape the UK-wide cultural Olympiad), and a representative from Arts Council England (ACE). ACE expects to announce the shortlisted artists in July, and the final commissions in October. The successful commissions will be developed during 2010 and 2011, and will all be part of a final celebration before the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
w: http://www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk
A new ‘Green Music’ guide, launched last week (pictured) by the Mayor of London and cross-music industry climate change initiative Julie’s Bicycle aims to aid the music industry to take action on climate change and reduce carbon emissions. The guide, part of the Greater London Authority’s Climate Change Action Plan, seeks to keep the reduction of carbon emissions high on the agenda as organisations look for ways to save money. Although the music industry’s contribution to carbon emissions is relatively modest, it creates at least 540,000 tonnes of C02, of which at least 465,300 tonnes come from London. The publication follows the Mayor’s ‘Green Theatre’ initiative, and another guide for film and television is planned.
w: http://www.juliesbicycle.com/resources/green-music-guide
The British Council is responding to the need for future cultural leaders by beginning a seven-year programme to develop skills. Cultural Leadership International (CLI) will create a large network of new leaders, and will build partnerships and collaborations using UK cultural leadership expertise. In its first year, CLI will undergo an international research and development phase, working with partners across Europe, North America, the Middle East and North Africa. The programme will offer work-based placements, networking opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and creative collaborations and experiential learning. CLI participants need not have experience of a leadership role, but they must be able to demonstrate a level of achievement in and commitment to the sector, and a commitment to self-development and learning.
w: http://www.britishcouncil.org/arts-cli-get-involved.htm
New figures from the Charity Commission reveal the deepening impact of the recession on charities in England and Wales, with more than half of charities affected. In September 2008, 38% of respondents said that they had been hit by the credit crunch. This figure has now risen to 52%, with 58% of those experiencing a decrease in income. The majority (64%) of charities with an annual income of over £1m say that they are concerned that their services or funding might be greatly affected, but only 32% of charities say they have taken steps to combat the effects of the downturn. Sixty per cent of the smallest charities, with an income of less than £10,000, have seen their income reduced, but only 23% of the smallest charities had put measures in place to cope with the recession, compared with 65% of charities with an income of £1m or more.
w: http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk
An 18-month trial project has been launched by Michael Russell, the Scottish Minister for Culture, to provide 100,000 young carers and children in care with the opportunity to participate in a range of creative activities. ‘Creative Identities’ will be funded by £1.2m from the ‘CashBack for Communities Scheme’, whereby money confiscated from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act is used to fund community projects, and is also supported by the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.
Twenty-four writers, of whom five are currently unpublished, have been awarded a total of £95,000 in bursaries by Academi, the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency. A writing bursary aims to give writers the time to write, and supports new talent as well as established writers.
w: http://www.academi.org
A claim by the Conservative Party that National Lottery funding for good causes has halved since 1997 has been contested by the DCMS. The Tories say that since 1999, administrative costs at the National Lottery Commission have increased by 131%, staff expenses by 54% and salaries by 94%, while Lottery funding to the arts has decreased from £449m in 1997 to £214m, a decrease of 47%. However, a DCMS spokesperson called the figures misleading, and said that their own records “show a far less exaggerated decline”.
w: http://www.shadowdcms.co.uk
The DCMS has published the results of a pilot programme to introduce a new system of self-assessment and peer review for directly sponsored museums, following recommendations made in the McMaster Report. The pilots were carried out at the National Portrait Gallery, Natural History Museum and Tyne & Wear Museums. Each museum was asked to detail its vision, successes and challenges. The peer review was then conducted by a panel of three individuals over three days, including a critique of the self-assessment, an appraisal of the museum and a set of recommendations.
w: http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/5934.aspx
Audiences Wales, the arts marketing and audience development agency for Wales, has published a new, free guide to media and public relations. It offers an overview of media and public relations and clarifies the difference between them, giving details of how to work with journalists, how to write a press release, when to use public relations and how to develop a public relations strategy.
w: http://www.audienceswales.co.uk