Artsnet e-newsletter: Issue 18 - Jan 2007

+ Perceived benefits to individuals and society + Local, regional, national and international arts + Attitudes to funding and the role of the Arts Council + Responsibilities of artists and arts organisations that receive public money + Hopes and expectations for the future The next stage of the programme will include extensive research with artists, arts organisations and other ACE stakeholders. In the new year key issues will be opened up to wider public consultation and debate. Everyone will be able to have their say by logging on to the interactive discussion forum on the arts debate website: www. artsdebate. org. uk Commenting on the launch of the arts debate, Peter Hewitt, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said: “I believe that by giving the public a greater voice we can achieve a greater sense of Artsnet Update 1 News 2 Events 3 Artsnet Members 4 Training News 7 Opportunities 8 inside this issue: accountability in the publicly funded arts sector, one that is meaningful to the Arts Council’s own ambitions, to the individuals and organisations we fund and to wider society. ” The arts debate is supported by a panel of external advisors. Panel member Dame Suzi Leather said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for people everywhere to join a fresh debate about the role of the arts in our lives. For too long this conversation has been the preserve of the expert few, and this important initiative will enable the Arts Council to understand and respond to a much wider range of opinions and experiences". The inquiry will come to a close in May 07 and findings will be published in the autumn, along with the ACE’s response and plans for the future. Further information on the research programme is available at www. artsdebate. org. uk All New Artsnet Google Group Issue 17– January 2007 Part of the Community Network for Manchester Creative Arts Network www. can. uk. com PAGE 1 The Arts Debate www. smartgroups. com closed its doors in Nov so the Artsnet SmartGroup sadly had to find a new home. Old & new members can (re)join by visiting http:// groups-beta. google. com/group/artsnetmanchester?hl=en It’s very similar to the previous incarnation of the group– you can: * Post/receive messages about news, events, jobs and opportunities. * Share images and files with other members. Arts Council England has launched the arts debate, its first-ever public value inquiry. For artists and communities engaged in arts activity, the debate and public value enquiry offers some interesting times. The following text is from an arts council press release. Engage with the debate at www. artsdebate. co. uk Through a wide reaching programme of research and consultation the Arts Council will explore how people value the arts and, by gaining a deeper understanding of what is important to them, become more accountable to the public it serves. The first stage of the inquiry will be a series of in-depth discussion groups with members of the public across the country, including those that currently have little or no involvement with the arts. Key themes for this early exploration will include: + What is meant by ‘the arts’ these days? + Accessibility, barriers and motivations * Start a debate * Build your own pages * Chose how you receive posts- as they come in, as a daily digest or simply log in to view them if you prefer not to receive emails. Get in touch with Adelle Robinson for more info (contact details on the back page). This newsletter can be emailed to you, sent in large print, tape or Braille. . . call 0161 234 2985 or email: artsnet@can. uk. com CAN welcomes Kuljit ‘Kooj’ Chuhan to its core team as Principal Artistic Manager during 2007. Kooj will oversee the delivery of the artistic programme whilst Cilla Baynes is away from the company. Cilla has begun a twelve-month sabbatical, supported by ACE-NW. She will use this time to research and witness participatory and other arts both nationally and internationally. During 2007, CAN’s General Manager, David Martin will act as Chief Executive. Changes at CAN