SCROLL WITHIN THE FRAME FOR ALL THE LATEST REGIONAL  ARTS NEWS   ...
Spark - 25th & 26th February, Holton Lee, near Poole, Dorset
A two day residential event for disabled and Deaf artists who want to create work as part of the Cultural Olympiad.
Are you a disabled or Deaf artist in the South West who is excited and inspired by the opportunities offered by the 2012 Cultural Olympiad?
Would you like to join other disabled and Deaf artists from the region to discuss and develop your ideas, link with potential partners, and have an opportunity to talk to 2012 producers and funders?
If so, then contact Carla Hiley, Development Administrator, Arts Council
England, South West: carla.hiley@artscouncil.org.uk tel: 01392 229230

We’ll send you all the details, including clear information about the opportunities offered by the Cultural Olympiad. Because places are limited and in order for everyone to get the best out of the event, we will need to select people to take part in the event, so there is a simple application form.
Deadline for applications is 19th January, and if you have a place on Spark you’ll be told by 2nd February.
The event will be fully accessible, with all food, accommodation, and travel costs paid for. The event will be facilitated by Michele Taylor.
This event is being organised by Ruth Hecht, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Arts Council England, South West who has been working with the following disabled artists and activists in planning Spark:
Faye Stewart (art+power)
Liz Crow (Roaring Girl Productions)
Moya Harris (Equal Measures)
Christoffer de Graal (Kaleido)
Steven McCarthy & Paul Wilshaw (Double Act Theatre Company)

Be Inspired -   Sunday 1 February 2009 Pavilion Bournemouth 

A day of music making for adults with the BSO 10am – 4pm. 

Do you have a musical instrument hidden in the attice?  Would you like the chance to play again?  If so, why not brush away the dust and re-live music by coming along for a music-making day playing beside members of the BSO, finishing with a performance to family and friends. 

The project is organised by the BSO and Bournemouth Arts Development.

£10 for the day – Bournemouth Residents have priority booking until 1 January.

For further information contact Linda Higson, Education and Community Co-ordinator BSO 2 Seldown Lane Poole  01202 644707  lhigson@bsorchestra.co.uk

Clore Duffield Performing Arts Awards (UK) 

Organisations such as registered charities youth groups; limited companies and schools that wish to undertake activities that enable young people aged 0-18 to experience the performing arts are eligible to apply for funding under the Clore Duffield Performing Arts Awards (formally known as the Clore Duffield Small Grants for Performing Arts Education programme). This is a £1 million programme that will operate between 2005 and 2010. Eligible organisations can apply for funding of between £1,000 and £10,000 for educational projects with under-18s that cover every aspect of the performing arts including opera, dance, music, musical theatre, the spoken word and theatre. The next closing date for applications is the 11th March 2009. For further information, visit: http://www.cloreduffield.org.uk/page_sub.php?id=71&parent=35

 Website Link for arts practitioners and organisations 

Bournemouth Borough Council Arts Development is aware of the enormous number of individual practitioners and organisations currently providing cultural services and opportunities  through theatre, dance and music in the Bournemouth area and beyond. 

We would like to reveal this increasing critical mass by including web site addresses in a special section of the Arts pages of the council website.  

If your field is Theatre, Dance or Music and you would like to be included, please supply the following information.

  1. Name of individual or organisation
  2. One line about its service or aims
  3. Web address

For practitioners who don’t have a website we will direct people to the Arts Index.  We will consider the viability of including other art form practioners in the future. 

Please email details to: artsdevelopment@bournemouthlibraries.org.uk
 
 Arts Awards (UK)

The Wellcome Trust is inviting organisations and individuals to apply for funding through its Arts Awards. The Arts Awards support projects that engage the public with biomedical science through the arts including dance, drama, performance arts, visual arts, music, film, craft, photography, creative writing or digital media. Applications are invited for projects up to £30,000. The aim of the awards is to support arts projects that reach new audiences that may not traditionally be interested in science and provide new ways of thinking about the social, cultural and ethical issues around contemporary science. The scheme is open to a wide range of people including, amongst others, artists, scientists, curators, filmmakers, writers, producers, directors, academics, science communicators, teachers, arts workers and education officers. For small to medium-sized projects (up to and including £30 000) the next application deadline is the 9th January 2009.

For more information, visit
: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Public-engagement/Grants/Arts-Awards/index.htm
 

 Creative Advisor’s Scheme 

A flexible bespoke mentoring scheme for artists, curators, producers and arts managers/administrators from diverse backgrounds living in the South West. 

Do you need support to develop your creative skills, your arts business, or take your career in the arts forward? This scheme offers: 

• 2 sessions to explore your development needs and to help identify your mentor

• The equivalent of 2 full days with your own personal mentor

• £500 to spend on your professional development

• 2 day-long networking sessions with other people on the scheme 

The scheme is for anyone who has found it hard to access professional support and training including Deaf and disabled artists, people from Black and minority ethnic communities – particularly women, Eastern European migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Research has shown that artists from diverse backgrounds don’t have the same access to training and mentoring as other artists. This scheme follows on from an extremely successful programme run by Arts Council England South West for Black and minority ethnic artists.
For more information contact Ruth Staple on 0117 915 0190 or email her at ruth.staple@artsmatrix.org.uk. Deadline - 22/12/08
Bristol-based blind and partially-sighted choir seeks new members
Clear Sounds Choir

We have been in existence for over 5 years, and we cater to primarily, but not exclusively, blind and partly sighted people around Bristol. We're a growing outfit, and we would like to expand our membership for our future events.

Interested in music - classical, religious, traditional and modern? Then come along. Don’t worry, you need not be qualified in music – we’re not either. But it’s good fun!!! Come and meet new people, help raise funds for various good causes and join in the social fun. No audition necessary. You don’t even need to be an expert on singing and we’ll give you all the support in the world.

We’re a growing outfit always looking for ideas and people, especially men. Rehearsals take place on a fortnightly basis between 7 - 9 pm on Thursdays at St Stephens Church in the city centre. Our next rehearsal is September 11th 2008, with another one on September 25th 2008. A Christmas concert is planned for December, and we also have our annual busking session around Christmas where we go carol singing at either the Mall Galleries, Broadmead or Cribbs Causeway.

We practice using audio or verbal instructions so no prior knowledge of reading music is necessary. All material can be provided in print, large print, Braille or email. We are also happy to discuss transportation with you, and depending on your location your transport may be heavily subsidised – please contact for prior arrangement if you require assistance with transport. It costs £2.50 per rehearsal.

If you would like to attend the next rehearsal, discuss your access needs/transportation, or if you are interested in finding out more about us, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Muzz on 07766 114719, or email ml2438@bristol.ac.uk. Alternatively contact Auriol Britton on 0117 9668853 or visit our website on www.clearsoundschoir.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.