A three-day cultural summit hosted by the Scottish Arts Council will take place in Edinburgh next year, to encourage discussion and debate of pertinent issues in the context of the development of Creative Scotland, the new cultural development agency that is set to replace the Scottish Arts Council. The event, Scotland: Creative Nation, will include presentations from influential thinkers in cultural policy, a range of commissioned performances and networking opportunities to provide a catalyst for creative partnerships. A booking system will be available online at the beginning of November.
w: http://www.scottisharts.org.uk
A new pilot programme for 1825 year olds is aiming to give young professionals the opportunity to sit upon the board of an arts organisation. The initiative, launched by Arts & Business, builds upon its existing Board Bank programme and will run in the West Midlands, the South East and the South West. Those selected to take part in the scheme will receive full training and be given access to an experienced mentor.
w: http://www.aandb.org.uk
Potential leaders from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, and those working in micro-enterprises of fewer than five people, are being encouraged to take part in Leadership Development Days. Run by the Treasury-funded Cultural Leadership Programme, the sessions will aim to inspire, challenge and provide support to emerging leaders. Thirty events will be taking place across the UK, starting this month and running until March 2008.
w: http://www.leadershipdevelopmentdays.org.uk
A new £1m 180-seat theatre-in-the-round for children and young people has opened in the heart of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the courtyard of an artists workshop warehouse. Home to the Bruvvers Theatre Company, The Round will offer workshops, youth theatre, question-and-answer sessions after shows, technical training, career advice and summer schools, as well as touring theatre performances.
w: http://www.the-round.com
Young Audiences Scotland, a project to increase and develop audiences for children and young peoples theatre in Scotland, wishes to expand the number of producers and presenters represented by its website. The initiative was created by a consortium involving Catherine Wheels, the Bank of Scotland Childrens International Theatre Festival, Giant, TAG Theatre Company, Visible Fictions and Wee Stories, and aims to disseminate best practice in children and young peoples theatre. Contact Sally Wilson.
e: info@youngaudiencesscotland.com
A new report exploring the feasibility of conducting a live music economic impact study has put forward proposals for a framework for understanding the costs and benefits of live music to local communities. Commissioned by the DCMS from consultants Frontier Economics, the report explores the data that is currently available, and identifies additional data that would be needed to carry out such a study.
w: http://www.culture.gov.uk
A design inspired by the plays of William Shakespeare, but based on the London Underground map, has been commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company for use on various items of its merchandise, including mugs, tea-towels and t-shirts. Created by designer Kit Grover and Dr Hester Lees-Jeffries of Cambridge University, the design, Greater Shakespeare, shows a map depicting the relationships of Shakespeares characters across all his plays.
The annual T S Eliot Prize, inaugurated in 1993 to celebrate the 40th birthday of the Poetry Book Society, has become the largest cash prize in British poetry. A 50% increase in the prize value, funded by Mrs Valerie Eliot, means that the winner of the 2007 Prize will receive £15,000, and all shortlisted poets will receive £1,000. Following last years successful launch of the T S Eliot Prize School Shadowing Scheme, A Level students will be encouraged to engage with the judging process through an online poll for them to select their own winner, and a competition for the best student rationale for their own choice.
w: http://www.poetrybooks.co.uk; http://www.poetrybookshoponline.com; http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk