A national online survey launched by Action for Children’s Arts (ACA) is exploring people’s views about changes that have taken place in children’s arts over the past few years, and priorities for the future. The findings will be used to inform a manifesto for children’s arts setting out a common agenda for action in this key area of work. The survey, on the ACA website, closes on 31 March.
w: http://www.childrensarts.org.uk
In an effort to reduce bureaucracy and the burden of risk assessment on teachers wanting to take their children on school trips, the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DfCS) is encouraging organisations that host school or other youth group, including theatres and museums, to qualify for quality ‘badges’. These ‘kite-marks’ will help teachers identify places that provide high quality learning outside the classroom, and manage safety effectively. This measure is part of the DfCS ‘Staying Safe’ Action Plan.
w: http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/stayingsafe/
Seventy new National Occupational Standards developed by Creative & Cultural Skills are now available for use by those working in Technical Theatre. The Standards, which outline what a person needs to know in order to do a job to a nationally recognised level of competence, have been used to inform and underpin the development of the new Creative Apprenticeship in Technical Theatre, which will be launched in September. They will also be the building blocks for a National Skills Academy for backstage and offstage skills. National Occupational Standards are also being developed in music business (recording industry), live events and promotions, cultural venue operations and community arts.
w: http://www.ukstandards.org
In the two years since the introduction of Artist’s Resale Right, the law which entitles artists to a royalty each time their work is resold by an auction house, royalties of over £4.2m have been collected for more than 1,000 artists by the Design and Artists Copyright Society. Critics of the new right predicted that the UK art market would be damaged as result of the introduction of Artist’s Resale Right, but an independent survey has found that 87% of art market professionals have encountered no problems. By 2012, rights are due to be extended to the heirs and beneficiaries of deceased artists, in line with copyright law.
A document stating the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s policy proposals for the development of circus arts has recognised growing demand for circus and significant development in the area of youth circus, but acknowledges the need for greater professional development and a strengthening of the infrastructure for this artform. A consultation on the policy is running until 5 April.
w: http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/artforms/pdfs/circusarts.pdf
A new integrated toolkit for Sports and Cultural Improvement has been launched after a successful pilot phase with eight local authorities. Developed by I&DeA, it aims to help local authorities to assess and benchmark their culture and sports services, get constructive feedback from partners, and engage in peer-led improvement.
w: http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageid=7921068
• Clarification: Belinda Kidd is co-author of the Hybrid report mentioned in the Arts and Refugees feature in AP163.