Artsnet e-newsletter: Issue 17 - Oct 2006

power of the arts & culture as drivers for regeneration. She mentioned that all great cities had great cultural identities and were a magnet for people coming to visit artistic attractions. Again, good news for creative activity within communities and for tourism, both key to regeneration in the city. However, it seems on searching that all good things are said in quiet corners. In her conference speech Jowell focussed mainly on the Olympics. A huge initiative and the push between 2008-2012 for the culture Olympiad to be part of the process. Well, it’s a big thing but culture existed before the Olympic win, and will do afterwards, but to the casual observer more meat was to be found on the fringes. Blair mentioned ‘art’ once. Referencing his early days in Sedgefield: “I sat in the company of the most normal people I had met in the Labour Party. They taught me that most of politics isn t about politics, in the sense of meetings, resolutions, speeches or even parties. It starts with people. It s about friendship, art, culture, sport”. On to Gordon then, potential future PM– Is culture anywhere on his agenda? Scanning through his speech, desperation grew. I grasped at the phrases “in Artsnet Update 1 News 2 Events 3 Artsnet Members 4 Training News 7 Opportunities 8 inside this issue: tune”, “on the beat”, “Climb a high mountain” (ah, the next Maria perhaps?). Followed by: “It will not be a surprise to you to learn I’m more interested in the future of the Arctic Circle than the future of the Arctic Monkeys. ” Finally, Ruth Kelly. Last stab at culture. But wait, in the middle of her speech was this: “In Blackburn & Darwen, the Council in partnership with UNISON have developed a multi-media project to break down barriers between their communities. ” Rapid double take. An arts project, here, in Ruth Kelly’s speech, cited as an example of social inclusion work, mentioned at Labour Party conference. Could this be it? Quick phone call proved this to be not so exciting. This great project was revealed as “a toolkit on how to work with young people in encouraging community cohesion. Available in print or DVD”. So, it’s just a DVD then? Final question, after this great internet search in a holy quest for culture, how do we get good ideas to Ruth Kelly? Someone told her about the DVD, and we could easily supply her with no end of exciting projects to talk about to conference. Onwards with the advocacy! Oh, and Labour Party, please fix your search engine. Toolkit Artist Professional Development & Networking Event Issue 16– October 2006 Part of the Community Network for Manchester Creative Arts Network www. can. uk. com PAGE 1 Where’s Culture? Are you an artist looking for networking and professional development opportunities? The Toolkit and MDDA would like to invite you to attend an event specifically designed to help you get ahead. The event is your opportunity to come and meet Greater Manchester-based arts organisations that offer information, support, training and Couldn’t have been easier. Scan the web, write something on Labour Party conference, culture & communities. Topical, local, bound to be plenty of material on the web. Inputting ‘culture’ into the Labour Party’s search engine I got: “This search facility is not available due to routine maintenance”. OK. Not a good start. . . out of curiosity, tried the Conservatives’: “Couldn’t find any matches, try advanced search” Ah. Culture too tricky for that engine then. Lib Dem website did very well, 931 matches! Time to try some other leads. Surely there must be some reportage somewhere on culture at the conference? There were loads of fringe events happening, two organised by ACE. David Lammy, Culture Minister spoke at the culture reception, said he was staggered by the huge renaissance experienced by Manchester in the past 16 years, thanks to a Labour government and huge investment into the city & the region. There are challenges, he admitted, and not everything was rosy. He highlighted the arts incredible work in deprived communities and in tackling issues of history & identity; praised free entry which had enabled people from the poorest socio-economic groups to attend museums & galleries; paid tribute to the BBC for taking the bold decision to move to the city. Tessa Jowell took part in another fringe meeting: “Imagine Britain without the arts”. She stressed the mentoring across a range of artforms. Thu 9 Nov, 2-6pm, Manchester Digital Development Agency, Lower Ground Floor, 117-119 Portland Street, Manchester M1 6ED. For more info & to RSVP please contact Adelle Robinson, toolkit@can. uk. com 0161 234 2985. www. thetoolkit. net is a useful website for individuals, community groups and organisations involved in or developing creative enterprises and arts projects in Manchester. The Toolkit is a partnership project between Community Arts North West (CAN) & Creative Industries Development Service (CIDS). This newsletter can be emailed to you, sent in large print, tape or Braille. . . call 0161 234 2985 or email: artsnet@can. uk. com