A new report from Audiences Northern Ireland has revealed that the arts contributed more than £16m to the economy in Northern Ireland in 2009, up 11% on the previous year. The ‘Audience Audit’ shows that although only 17% of households in Northern Ireland booked tickets for arts events in 2009, this equated to more than one million tickets sold. The research also highlights that attendance at arts events is not limited to a single socio-demographic group; 29% of households booking tickets have an income of less than £13,500 per year.
The Cultural Leadership Programme and Creative Choices have published ‘A cultural leadership reader’, bringing together articles and book reviews that focus on leadership in the creative and cultural industries. Pauline Tambling, Managing Director of the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills, who contributed to the reader, hopes that having the chance to “share experiences and reflections” will help leaders and managers to learn new skills. It is free to access online.
http://www.creative-choices.co.uk/reader
Following controversial changes to UK immigration laws in 2008 (as examined further on p11), Visiting Arts has published notes and guidance for organisations trying to sponsor international artists to work in and/or visit the UK.
Higher income is not strongly associated with more arts attendance and high ticket prices are not the primary barrier to cultural engagement, according to initial findings from CASE, the £1.8m culture and sport evidence programme led by the DCMS. The three-year analysis and review of cultural drivers, impacts and value by University of London’s Evidence in Policy and Practice Information (EPPI) Centre and Matrix Knowledge Group, aims to strengthen sector understanding of how best to deliver high quality culture and sporting opportunities to the widest audience to “generate positive outcomes for society
More than 1,000 teachers, academics and leaders of local authorities and cultural organisations have signed up to the Cultural Learning Alliance, an umbrella organisation representing arts and educational institutions, which aims to protect cultural experiences for children and young people. The Alliance wants to be an informed voice for cultural learning and participation, and a forum for the exchange of research, news and best practice for heads, teachers, cultural and youth professionals.
http://www.culturallearningalliance.org.uk
Co-operatives UK has launched a new guide, ‘Creative Co-operatives: A guide to starting a co-operative in the creative industries’, as a tool for freelancers working in the creative sector. A new website has also been set up, offering case studies, blogs and additional resources for interested freelancers.
http://www.creatives.uk.coop/nbsp
The English National Youth Arts Network (ENYAN) is looking to appoint three Regional Youth Arts Champions in every English region, to advocate for and support the youth arts sector. The role will involve representing ENYAN at events and projects across the regions, attending up to two Regional Advisory Panel meetings, and working with ENYAN to draw attention to campaigns. Nominations are invited before 10 September.
Derry/Londonderry has won the competition to be UK City of Culture 2013, beating Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield, which were also on the shortlist. The City of Culture title is designed to help areas boost their economy through tourism and the creative industries, as well as promoting regeneration. The winning bid means the city will now host a year-long celebration of culture, including a pageant on the River Foyle celebrating the return of St Columba to Ireland, a contemporary music festival, a visual arts festival, new music training for children in the city and a new commission from Field Day theatre company.
Arts Council England has established a network in the West Midlands which aims to strengthen the region’s visual arts and to connect people working in the sector. ‘Turning Point West Midlands’ is part of a national network made up of individual artists, and arts organisations.