Nominations for the arts, culture and heritage category of the 2008 Charity Awards are now open. The awards showcase excellence in management, and nominations are judged on criteria such as strategic planning, effective delivery and sustainability. The closing date for entries is 14 March.
w: http://www.charityawards.co.uk
The National Federation of Artists’ Studio Providers is seeking artists’ studio groups and organisations for inclusion in a national register. The register, previously compiled by Acme Studios, lists studio providers by arts council region and this year will be extended to include Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The deadline for completed forms is 14 March.
w: http://www.acme.org.uk; http://www.nfasp.org.uk
The Bluecoat, Liverpool’s oldest building, reopens on 15 March after a £12.5m refit with a new arts wing, four new galleries and a 200-seat performance space. It also includes new café and restaurant spaces, six shops, 13 artist studios and 13 creative industry studios. The opening weekend features an exhibition, ‘Now Then’, with work by Alec Finlay, Janet Hodgson, Hew Locke, Paul Morrison and Yoko Ono.
The Museums Association (MA) has created a Disposal Toolkit designed to support changes to the MA’s Code of Ethics for Museums, which encourages transfer of objects and, in exceptional circumstances, sale on the open market. A Disposal Digest detailing the MA’s new thinking is also available.
w: http://www.museumsassociation.org
Voluntary and community groups working with London teenagers will shortly be able to apply to the new £5m ‘Young Londoners Fund’ launched by the Mayor of London in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service. The Fund will support projects to help young people back into education or training, learn new skills and reduce crime or anti-social behaviour.
A practical new guide for orchestras who are required to implement the ‘Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005’ from 6 April this year is available free from the Association of British Orchestras. ‘A Sound Ear’, by Alison Wright Reid and Malcolm Warne Holland advises on minimising hearing damage for musicians and measuring levels of noise during rehearsals and performances.
w: http://www.abo.org.uk
Shape has announced four £5,000 commissions for disabled or deaf artists, or disabled-led organisations, to create work inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. The commissions are in poetry/spoken word, visual arts/media, dance and street arts. Artists will be showcased in 2008 and 2009 at events including ‘Liberty 2008’ and potentially during the Liverpool Festival of Culture.
w: http://www.shapearts.org.uk
The Royal Shakespeare Company has launched a manifesto to bring Shakespeare alive in the classroom. ‘Stand up for Shakespeare’ calls for children, young people and teachers to explore plays actively and practically, see live performances and introduce Shakespeare to the classroom as early as possible. The company is seeking messages of support for its campaign.