Arts at the Centre Business Plan-6

8/7/2019 Arts at the Centre Business Plan-6

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Swindon Borough Council

Arts ServicesStrategic Business Plan2005/08

Our mission is to make the artsvisible, valued, enjoyed, and easily

accessed by the people of

Swindon. I am passionate that

this will be achieved through

working with our partners to

provide a broad range of

opportunities for people to both

enjoy and benefit from the arts.

Swindon Borough Council has avital role to play as an enabler,

bringing together the hard work,

enthusiasm and ideas, helping

deliver broad, dynamic and

exciting arts for the people of

Swindon.

Cllr. Justin Tomlinson

Cabinet Member for Leisure,Culture and Recreation

Arts at theCentre

Art in the streetsImaging Festival 04

Photo: Copyright SwindonBorough Council


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ContentsIntroduction Page 3

Mission Page 3

What do we do? Page 4

The Arts Centre Page 4

cre8 studios Page 5

Exhibitions Page 5

Festivals and Events Page 6

Public Art Page 6

Our values Page 6

What is meant by the arts? Page 7

Why do the arts matter? Page 8Our vision Page 9

Issues that inform this plan Page 10

Arts key themes 2004/08 Page 10

Quality assurance Page 11

Targets and performance indicators Page 11

Budget summary Page 12

Funding to arts organisations Page 13

Key strategic partnerships Page 14

Strategic objectives 2005/08 Page 20

Staffing structure Page 22

Staff contact information Page 23

Priority projects and initiatives 2005/06 Page 25

Appendix 1

Arts Services Action Plan 2005/06

Abbey Meads pupils take part in NationalPoetry DayPhoto: Roger Ogle


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IntroductionArts at the Centre sets a strategic framework for Swindon Borough

Council Arts Services 2005/08. It has been developed by the Arts

Services Team in consultation with key strategic arts organisations,

funders, partners and stakeholders. It is the outcome of an 18 month review

of Swindon Borough Councils arts provision and has been accompanied by

a staffing restructure.

Arts at the Centre is underpinned by a commitment to develop an enabling

and customer centred approach to service delivery.

Arts at the Centre takes into account local, regional and national priorities

and opportunities in both the arts and local government.

Helen Miah

Arts Services Manager

July 2005

MissionArts Services exist to make the arts

visible, valued, enjoyed, and easily

accessed by the people of Swindon.

Open Studios Family Painting DayPhoto: Richard Wintle


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The Palette CafThe Palette Caf at the Arts Centre is managed by The Darack Group. Thecaf serves good quality food and has a growing clientele. Arts Services

will continue to develop shared activities with the caf including jointcatering and entertainment packages and special events. In 2005 the cafwas named the official Festival Caf for the Swindon Festival of Literature.

What do we do?Arts Services develop, support and deliver a wide range of arts activities andevents and encompass The Arts Centre in Old Town, cre8 studios at the

Town Hall, Public and Visual Arts, Festivals and Events. We manage anumber of key strategic partnership agreements with local and regional artsorganisations including Sixth Sense Theatre Company, REACH InclusiveArts, the Swindon Festival of Literature and the Wyvern Theatre.

Arts Services provide an artistic programme for Swindon which includes the Swindonannual Summer Street Festival, The World Music Series at the Bowl, exhibitions at theGreat Western Hospital and the Wyvern Theatre as well as a programme of music,comedy, film, art, drama and exhibitions at the Arts Centre. We develop and deliverworkshops, short courses and bespoke projects, including the delivery of the CouncilsPublic Art Policy, across the full range of art forms and with a variety of community

groups, schools and colleges.

The Arts CentreSituated in Old Town The Arts Centre is a 212 seat theatre and art gallerywhich stages more than 200 professional and community events each year.One of the oldest municipal arts centres in the country the Arts Centrecelebrates 60 years of existence, and 50 years in the current building, in2006.

The programme covers music, drama, comedy, childrens events, live literature, films andexhibitions. Additionally, the Arts Centre is home to three local drama companies, anumber of local societies, the annual One Act Play Festival, the Swindon Music Festival,

and has recently become the major venue for theSwindon Festival of Literature.

The Arts Centre has benefited from a recent completerefurbishment and is fully compliant with DDAregulations. The auditorium, galleries and studio canbe hired for private use.

Programming for the venue is managed by ClarryBean, Arts Programming Manager. Operations aremanaged by Stuart Webb, Arts Business andDevelopment Manager.Photo: Sam Frost


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ExhibitionsExhibitions by local, regional and national artists are programmed at the Arts Centre, theWyvern Theatre and the Great Western Hospital by Barbara Dixon, the Visual ArtsDevelopment Officer, under the programming direction of Clarry Bean, Arts ProgrammingManager. Education packages are delivered to accompany specific exhibitions and thereare classes and workshops throughout the year.

Guidance and support is provided to local artists and bespoke projects are designed tomeet public service priorities with a recent focus on arts and health.

Mobile Media is the outreach wing of cre8 studios, bringing thelatest digital media technology to schools, community groups andyoung people. Working out on location, Mobile Media createsopportunities to experience and produce video, animation, sound,photography and web pieces with the support of professionalartists. Over 3,000 young people have participated in Mobile Mediaprojects over the past three years.

The Mobile Media Director is Shahina Johnson

cre8 studioscre8 studios is Swindon's community resource for film, video,multimedia, sound and photography providing a wide range of

activities, facilities and equipment. cre8 studios offer a broadrange of training courses for children and adults of all ages,bespoke community projects and support programmes foremerging artists.

Based at the Town Hall cre8 facilities include a vision studio, editing suites, photographyand sound studios.

cre8 studios are managed by Stuart Webb, Arts Business and Development Managersupported by Keith Phillips, Digital, Film and Media Arts Development Officer, under theprogramming direction of Clarry Bean, Arts Programming Manager.

Open Studios

Photo: Richard Wintle

Media CircusPhoto: cre8 studios


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Swindon Summer FestivalPhoto: Mark Pepperall

Public ArtSwindons nationally acclaimed collection of PublicArt is managed by Celia Yeoman, Senior Public ArtManager. The Percent for Art policy is rigorously

applied and has resulted in a consistently highstandard of Public Art integrated throughoutSwindons major development areas. A recentPublic Art South West Review of Swindons PublicArt policy has reinforced Swindons nationalreputation as a provider of excellent practice in thisfield.

The planned growth of Swindon over the next fewyears provides an opportunity to expand this areaof Arts Service activity.

Our valuesArts Services work with passion, respect,

integrity, determination and energy.

Festivals and EventsThe Swindon Summer Street Festival, the WorldMusic Series and the Swindon Mela are managed

by Toby Rathbone, Festivals and Events Officer,under the programming direction of Clarry Bean,Arts Programming Manager. These large scaleevents have grown in stature over the last fiveyears and have developed a loyal and growingaudience from Swindon and the surroundingregion.

Under the guidance of the Festivals and EventsOfficer the management of the Swindon Mela isbeing driven by the local Asian community and will

seek charitable status in 2005/06.

The Atrium at the Great Western HospitalArtist: Amber Hiscott Photo: David Pearl


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What is meant by

the arts?This plan uses a broad and inclusive definition of

the arts, to include all types of:

! Music, dance, theatre and live entertainment

! Visual arts, design, crafts and, public art

! Video, film and photography

! Electronic media, digital arts and multimedia

! Poetry, writing, storytelling and literature

! Interdisciplinary art, such as live art and

performance art

! Popular culture

The arts can happen in all sorts of places, spaces

and environments:

! In the open air

! In pubs, clubs and entertainment venues

! In schools and colleges

! In leisure centres, community centres and

youth centres

! In galleries, arts centres, theatres and concert

halls

The arts may be:

! Amateur

! Voluntary

! Professional

! Subsidised

! Commercial

The Big PaintPhoto: Richard Wintle

New Youth TheatrePhoto: Sam Frost

Poetry SlamPhoto: Ben Cavanna


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Why do the arts

matter?The arts and creative industries contribute toeconomic health. Employment in the cultural andcreative industries is predicted to continue to growsubstantially over the next ten years. Turnover in theSouth West regional economy is set to exceed the5.6 billion figure set in 2002.

The arts enrich peoples lives.

Many of the creative activities which people take partin are not consciously considered as arts, but hobbiesor entertainment. More than half of the adult UKpopulation (53%) claim to take an active part in someform of arts or crafts activity as many people paint ordraw as play golf, and as many people play a musicalinstrument as play football.

The arts open up opportunities to all kinds of people:taking part, learning new skills, finding their own

creativity, and working with others are satisfying andvaluable experiences in their own right, but also helpdevelop transferable skills, interpersonal skills, andself worth. Experiencing the arts as audiences,listeners and viewers entertains, stimulates andsupports a sense of community through sharedactivity. Arts experiences have the potential toenrich life for those participating.

The arts also contribute significantly to the continued

economic well-being of the Borough. Swindon needsto be recognised as a good place to live, work andplay, if local businesses are to gain and retain qualitystaff, particularly key workers who deliver competitiveadvantage.

In short, access to the arts significantly improves thequality of life for individuals, groups and communities,while a vibrant and diverse arts programme supportseconomic success and regeneration, generates civic

pride and social cohesion, and adds value to Councilservices.Stories at Dawn

Photo: Ben Cavanna

Dance at the WyvernPhoto: Richard Wintle

Intercultural Barn Dance

Photo: Sam Frost


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Our visionThe arts will play a significant role in

helping Swindon become a dynamic

and economically prosperous place,

that is renowned for its quality of life

and varied leisure opportunities.

We want Swindon to be a place where people actively choose to live and work. A wide

range of arts opportunities are enjoyed by dynamic, self-confident local people with astrong sense of community; and the arts are clearly visible and valued in civic,business and private life.

We want to entertain and inspire audiences through a varied programme of top qualityarts activities across different art forms. Audiences are willing to try new experiencesand value the pleasures of sharing live performance, without needing to travel beyondtheir own community.

We want to encourage professional development, by ensuring exciting opportunitiesexist to support practitioners and develop diverse artistic skills, which encourage activelearning throughout people's lives. A thriving professional creative sector, and a strong

arts network which includes the university, will support economic development. Theamateur, voluntary, commercial, subsidised and professional sectors will work togetherfor maximum impact. A confident and go-ahead amateur sector is evidence of ahealthy community.

We want to engage young people and local communities by developing projects thatgive them the opportunity to be creative and work together. This will build individualself-confidence and contribute to a sense of community. Current barriers toinvolvement, whether economic, physical, or cultural beliefs that the arts are "not forme", will be broken down by a co-ordinated approach which embraces all art forms asequally valuable.

We will take artistic activity out to where people are, and integrate art into their lives.Continued investment in public art will enhance civic pride and identity and integratethe arts into the urban and rural fabric of the Borough.

Engagement with the arts enriches individuals and improves the quality of communitylife in Swindon. With many social factors contributing to a sense of personal isolation,we see artistic activity as providing the social "glue" that can bring people from acrossthe age and social spectrum together in shared, pleasurable activities. Diversity andtolerance will be properly valued in Swindon.

N.B. We know that these aspirations are not easily or immediately attainable, but wehope that this vision of how things could be will inform our objectives and challengeand inspire us to aim high in everything we do.

Celebrating CulturesPhoto: Sam Frost


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Arts key themes 2004/08Arts Services have developed eight key themes that are linked to the priorities of theCommunity Strategy and the Council Plan, and reflect the ambitions of the Arts CouncilEngland.

1. Cultural change and regeneration2. Social inclusion, equalities and access

3. Young people

4. Cultural diversity

5. Widening participation

6. Artists and art form development

7. Healthy communities

8. Organisational development and sustainability

These are underpinned by a commitment to partnerships, learning and quality.These eight themes are reflected in our strategies, objectives and partnershipagreements.

Issues that inform this planNationalDCMS Culture at the Heart of Regeneration

RegionalWiltshire Forward PlanArts Council England South West

LocalCommunity StrategySwindon 2010 Corporate PlanMedium Term Business PlanCultural StrategyCultural Partnership DevelopmentThe New Swindon Company plans for Town Centre RegenerationLocal Plan 2011 2nd DepositThe Provision of Public Art Supplementary Planning GuidanceUniversity of Bath in Swindon plans for University Campus and Central Institute of

Contemporary Interdisciplinary ArtsArtsmad, Arts Education and Youth Development PlanLocal Authority Partnership Agreement with Arts Council England South West

2004 - 2006TheatreWorks - Theatre Locality Plan for Swindon and Wiltshire

Re-development of Old TownArtswords - Literature Development Plan


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Targets and performance

indicatorsThere are currently no national performance indicators for the arts. From 2004 onwardsBVPI 119D Three Year Satisfaction Survey may be able to be monitored.

The Arts Council England and Best Value Unit are currently looking at the mostappropriate indicators to measure arts activity.

The following Local Performance Indicators capture data from the Arts Centre, formerArtscape activities and events and cre8 studios. These measures and targets arecurrently under review.

LBVPI 1 Number of usersLBVPI 2 Number of visits per 1000 of population

LBVPI 1 LBVPI 2

2003/04 actual 103,876 573

2004/05 actual 106,916 590

Arts Services also make a significantcontribution to other Performance Indicatorsincluding:

! Equalities! Community Engagement! E-government! Communications! Access

Quality assuranceArts Services gained IIP status as part of Cultural Services in 2004.

Arts Services are committed to continuous improvement and apply rigorousevaluation and review to all aspects of service delivery.

Targeted consultation and customer feedback is used to inform all aspects of servicedevelopment.

The New Youth Theatre in performance atthe Arts Centre

Photo: Sam Frost


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Budget summary

Service 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

Arts Management [including ArtsGrants, Subscriptions & LiteratureDevelopment]

158,474 162, 934 152,400

Professional Arts Services Team Not applicable Not applicable 311,300

Artscape 109,708 109,936 Not applicable

cre8 studios 79,333 86,524 9,600

The Arts Centre 102,934 127,842 54,300

Public Art Not applicable Not applicable 2,100

Total 450,449 487,232 529,700

Expenditure

Income

Service 2003/04 2004/05Arts Management 0,000 18,338

Artscape 5,829 3,777

Arts Centre 49,051 58,741

cre8 studios 64,501 37,803

Mobile Media 4,798 15,233

Arts Partnerships 88,932 103,309

Public Art 173,854 210,191

Media Circus at cre8 studiosPhoto: Richard Wintle

The following tables summarise income and

expenditure for Arts Services.

Figures for 2005/06 reflect the restructure of ArtsServices and in particular the creation of anamalgamated staff team. A dedicated Public Artbudget has been established and other budgetshave been re-allocated to reflect our combinedservice structure


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Organisation 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

Sixth Sense Theatre Company 33,048 40,000 41,400

REACH Inclusive Arts 9,915 14,000 14,500

Swindon Festival of Literature 5,000 5,100 5,250

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra 26,545 12,000 12,000

Arts Projects 1,648 6,091 6,900

Swindon Cultural Partnership Not applicable 5,051 35,000

Arts Council England South WestPartnership Agreement

17,804 18,338 18,900

Arts and Business South West 3,838 3,953 4,000

Wyvern Theatre Community Projects 8,742 8,916 9,100

Swindon Arts 4,904 Not applicable Not applicable

Funding to arts organisations

Public Art project with Asda WalmartPhoto: James NewellArtists: Grennan and Sperandio

Arts Services also manage the allocation of the interest from the McDermott Trust,bequeathed to be used to support classical music development in Swindon. For the lastthree years this funding has been allocated to the Swindon Recital Series. In 2005/06 thisfund will be offered for a further three year bid in an open tender process.

Funding to arts organisations is managed through a combination of Service LevelAgreements and Partnership Agreements. During 2005/06 the processes for allocating

funding will be further reviewed to reflect the development of Compact.


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Key strategic partnerships

The development of partnerships and co-ordinated priorities is central to thesuccess of the arts in Swindon.

Over the next three years Arts Services will continue to develop partnershipworking with a wide variety of local arts organisations and key stakeholders.

Arts

Services

Artsminds


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Rock School at the WyvernPhoto: Mark Pepperal

ArtsmadArtsmad is a new initiative driven by Arts Services and theArts Council England that aims to ensure access to high

quality arts experiences for children and young people in Swindon.

Artsmad is a partnership between Swindon Borough Council Arts Services, LEA, MusicService and Youth Service, Sixth Sense Theatre Company, Swindon Dance NationalDance Agency, Arts Council England South West, The University of Bath in SwindonInstitute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts and The Commonweal School.

Artsmad is a shared priority in the Swindon Borough Council and Arts Council EnglandSouth West Partnership Agreement and is a named action in the Community Strategy.

From May 2005 until November 2006 Artsmad is being managed by Kirsty Carter as

Strategic Co-ordinator. During this time the role of Artsmad will be further developed anddefined. High profile targeted action research projects, training, networking,communication, links to the regional framework for education and youth agencies and theestablishment of robust evaluation techniques will ensure the role of Artsmad continues tomeet local, regional and national needs.

ArtsmindsArtsminds is a new initiative managed by Swindon Borough Council

Arts Services. An agreed shared priority with the Arts Council EnglandSouth West, Artsminds is about networking and communicating acrossthe local arts community both within Swindon and the sub region.

Artsminds is currently in development but has agreed the following broad aims:inclusive; accessible; supportive; independent; the "voice" for the arts in Swindon;sharing; collaborative; partnership; social; and fun.

Artsminds is the key tool for breaking down barriers across the various arts sectors inSwindon and ensuring a co-ordinated and cohesive and supportive approach to artsdevelopment.

We are currently consulting with the local arts community over the future direction andstructure for Artsminds and this will be reported in Autumn 2005.

Artsminds


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REACH Inclusive ArtsSwindon Borough Council have been the key funding provider forREACH Inclusive Arts for over 20 years. REACH are an arts anddisability organisation covering Swindon and Wiltshire. They aimto develop and nurture a disability arts culture, and involvedisabled people in the artistic and cultural life of the communitythrough accessible arts projects.

The aim of the Partnership Agreement between REACH and Arts Services is to clarify therelationship, identify shared priorities and agree outcomes and targets. Over the nextthree years Arts Services will continue to work with REACH on organisational stability andcapacity as well as supporting their on-going programme.

www.reachinclusivearts.ik.com

Sixth Sense Theatre CompanySixth Sense Theatre Company have a national reputation forproviding quality theatre for children and young people. Theyare a Regularly Funded Organisation [RFO] with the Arts

Council England South West. Swindon Borough Council have developed a uniquerelationship with Sixth Sense over the last 20 years and alongside the Arts Council haveprovided funding to support the organisations core running costs.

The development of a Partnership Agreement with Sixth Sense has led to a more focusedand strategic approach with Sixth Sense taking an active role in the Artsmad and CulturalPartnership initiatives. Their work with the LEA and other public bodies to develop anddeliver theatre that is relevant and challenging ensures added value and is targeted atkey Council priorities.

www.sixthsensetheatrecompany.co.uk

Swindon Festival of LiteratureThe Swindon Festival of Literature has grown in stature over thelast 12 years to become one of the highlights of the Swindoncultural calendar. Support from Swindon Borough Council includes0.2 of the Literature Development Officer time, senior Arts andLibraries staff as well as venues and sponsorship. The developingPartnership Agreement identifies a number of shared priorities and seeks to maximiseadded value. The Festival makes a significant contribution to cultural tourism and raisingthe profile of Swindon locally, regionally and nationally.

www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk


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Swindon Music ServiceThe Music Service is a key cross - Council partner with Arts Services.Currently the Service is undergoing major staffing changes. Over thecoming year through the work of Artsmad, Arts Services will supportthe Music Service and identify key shared priorities that will addvalue. The relationship with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will be jointlyreviewed alongside the policy on education residencies.

www.swindon.gov.uk

Swindon Dance National Dance AgencyIn July 2005 Swindon Dance became an independent trust. Arts Services willcontinue to engage with Swindon Dance as the primary provider of danceactivities in Swindon. All opportunities to maximise arts funding will beexplored and we will continue to work in close partnership. A three yearPartnership Agreement will be developed to agree a number of sharedpriorities locally, regionally and nationally.

[email protected]

Arts Council England South WestIn spring 2003 the Arts Council England South West took overresponsibility for the arts in Swindon from Southern Arts. A newPartnership Agreement was negotiated for 2004/06 which secured an

additional 36,000 to support shared strategic priorities:1. A Cultural Partnership for Swindon2. Artsmad3. TheatreWorks4. Artsminds5. Technical Theatre Apprenticeships

The Arts Council are reviewing the development of Local Authority PartnershipAgreements during 2005/06.

The Arts Services Manager is the named local authority representative with the ArtsCouncil and provides feedback on all Grants for the Arts applications from Swindon.

This ensures that public funding for the arts is directed at meeting both Arts Council andlocal authority priorities. The Arts Council are also the key funding body for a number ofprojects, organisations and activities involving Arts Services. Over the next three yearsArts Services will continue to develop close relationships with the Arts Council tomaximise investment in the arts for Swindon.

www.artscouncil.org.uk


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The Commonweal SchoolThe Commonweal School achieved specialist PerformingArts College status in September 2004. Arts Services havedeveloped strong relationships with the school and wereinvolved in the development of the successful bid. The Arts Services Manager is amember of the Specialist Status Steering Group and a number of Arts Services partnersand commissioned services are also partners [Sixth Sense Theatre Company, REACHInclusive Arts, Swindon Music and Swindon Dance National Dance Agency]

The school have a clear remit to contribute to community arts in Swindon. The aim of thedeveloping Partnership Agreement between the school and Arts Services is to ensure aco-ordinated and strategic approach, maximising the potential to achieve added value.We will identify and deliver a number of shared projects and activities each year that willaddress the targets of the specialist Arts College School and Community Plan.

www.commonweal.co.uk

Swindon Recital SeriesArts Services manage the McDermott Trust bequeathed for the benefit ofclassical music development in Swindon. For the last three years this fundinghas been awarded to the Swindon Recital Series. A Partnership Agreementwith the Swindon Recital Series identified some shared priorities aroundaudience development and marketing. Arts Services will continue to look forways to work in partnership with the Swindon Recital Series, although the McDermottTrust Award will be open to competition in 2005/06 ready for a three year award from2006/09.

www.swindon.gov.uk

The Wyvern Theatre Hetherington Seeling TheatresIn April 2004 Swindon Borough Council awarded a ten year contractfor the 600 seater Wyvern Theatre to Hetherington Seelig Theatres[HST]. Arts Services will continue to work closely with the new

management to enable the theatre to reclaim its place at the centre of Swindons culturalheart. The theatre aims to present a quality programme that encompasses the best local,national and international drama, dance, opera, music, comedy, children's theatre andother arts activities. Shared priorities include audience development, access andeducation. By providing an eclectic and diverse programme the theatre will become acatalyst for a fully inclusive and innovative arts community.

www.wyverntheatre.org.uk


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Boka Halat at the Punjabi CommunityCentrePhoto: Sam Frost

Arts and Business South WestArts Services will continue to subscribe to Arts and Business SouthWest. The Partnership Agreement will continue to set targets forBusiness enagagement in the arts in Swindon as well as raising theprofile of the town in a regional and national context.

www.AandB.org.uk

University of Bath in SwindonInstitute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary ArtsThe Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts is already a key partner in a numberof arts activities across Swindon. As the plans for the university are clarified over the next

year the relationship with Arts Services will become critical. The potential for joint workingis tremendous with a particular emphasis on future capital development. Arts Services willcontinue to work with the Institute to identify and deliver key priorities and maximiseopportunities for added value.

www.bath.ac.uk/arts

The New Swindon CompanyAs the urban regeneration company for Swindon Arts Serviceswill actively seek out and deliver joint projects, activities andinitiatives with the New Swindon Company where funding can be achieved. The supportof the Public Arts Officer will be strengthened and the Percent for Art policy maximised.

www.newswindon.co.uk


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Strategic objectives 2005/08In pursuit of our vision, Arts Services will:

Objective 1. Contribute to the economic health of the Borough by:1.1 developing or supporting arts activities to put Swindon on the

cultural map regionally and nationally.1.2 creating and delivering audience development initiatives.1.3 marketing arts activity to promote Swindon as an attractive place to

live and work1.4 continue to develop and deliver the Public Art policy through the

Percent for Art scheme

Objective2.

Broaden participation and address social inclusion,regeneration and diversity needs by:

2.1 continuing to develop a culturally diverse arts programme.2.2 supporting or undertaking arts projects in targeted communities

within Swindon.2.3 researching, developing and implementing new approaches to

take arts activity out to people.2.4 promoting access, ensuring that barriers to access are

minimised and that services comply fully with DDA legislation.

2.5 supporting access to disability arts activities.2.6 developing and delivering workshop and short course

programmes

Objective 3. Engage with children and young people by:

3.1 supporting the strategic aims of the Artsmad initiative.3.2 developing an appropriate and varied programme for people in

the age range 3 25.3.3 ensuring at least one action research project each year.3.4 providing opportunities for children and young people to work

with arts professionals.

Objective 4. Support local artists and art form development by:

4.1 providing an opportunities, guidance and skills support service.4.2 encouraging cross art form and innovative practise.4.3 providing access to equipment, technical support and subsidised

spaces.

4.4 developing the Planning the Renaissance forum for key strategicarts organisations in Swindon.4.5 continuing to commission arts activities from key partners.


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Objective 5. Improve co-operation and co-ordination between thedifferent sectors by:

5.1 developing the Artsminds forum.5.2 working in partnership with key players to improve programming

across Swindon, to maximise impact and minimise duplication.5.3 continuing to develop partnership agreements with keystrategic arts organisations.

Objective 6. Seek more efficient and cost effective methods of deliveringour services to the public by:

6.1 securing external funding for flagship projects.6.2 developing relationships with key funders, sponsors and

businesses to identify and maximise opportunities.6.3 building the capacity of the local voluntary, amateur and

professional arts sector.

Objective 7. Act as advocates for the arts by:

7.1 developing our skills in evaluating the impact of arts initiatives7.2 working with colleagues and partners to develop shared

approaches.7.3 promoting our successes effectively.7.4 developing local supporters and champions.

Objective 8. Develop working practises that underpin these strategies by:

8.1 implementing a new structure for Arts Services in 2005/06.8.2 developing our own skills base to match requirements.8.3 implementing a performance management system in line with

council plans.8.4 exploiting new technologies.8.5 developing effective relationships across Council Directorates.

Enjoying a Music RoadshowPhoto: Richard Wintle


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Staff contact informationArts Services Manager

Helen MiahTel: 01793 466544Email: [email protected]

Senior SecretaryJean ColemanTel: 01793 466467Email: [email protected]

Arts Programming ManagerClarry BeanTel: 01793 466565Email: [email protected]

Arts Business and Development ManagerStuart WebbTel: 01793 463225Email: [email protected]

Senior Public Art ManagerCelia Yeoman

Tel: 01793 466517Email: [email protected]

Marketing and Communications ManagerJill TomalinTel: 01793 466565Email: [email protected]

Box Office/PR AssistantFay PoundTel: 01793 466565

Email: [email protected]

Festivals and Events OfficerToby RathboneTel: 01793 466522Email: [email protected]

Visual Arts Development OfficerBarbara DixonTel: 01793 466520Email: [email protected]


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Arts Services also employ casual and volunteer staff as well as temporary project workersand consultants.

Arts Services volunteers are managed by the Arts Business Team.

Arts Services are planning to introduce a Technical Trainee Apprenticeship scheme in2005/06.

Digital, Film and Media Arts Development OfficerKeith PhillipsTel: 01793 463678Email: [email protected]

Literature Development Officer

Matt HollandTel: 01793 771080Email: [email protected]

Arts Administration [Operations]Julie ThornTel: 01793 463224Email: [email protected]

Technical ManagerMatthew Herring

Tel: 01793 466565Email: [email protected]

New posts are currently being advertised:

Duty ManagerDigital, Film and Media Arts TechnicianArts Administration [Reception]Box Office/PR Assistant

Wizard SchoolPhoto: cre8 studios


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Priority projects and initiatives

2005/06ArtsmadMobile Media/Youth Service

Imaging Festival

Summer Street Festival

North Swindon Schools Public Art Programme

Swindon Festival of Literature

Artsminds

Brunel 200

Streets for Living

Artswords

World Bowl Series

Swindon Mela

TheatreWorks

Enjoying the Traditional Arts Projects ResidencyPhoto: Sam Frost

If you would like to comment on any aspect of this plan please contact:

Cllr. Justin TomlinsonCabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and RecreationCivic OfficesEuclid Street

SwindonSN1 2JH


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Documents

Arts at the Centre Business Plan-6