DCMS conducts first national study of voluntary arts activity in England
dates: 1-29 February
On 1 February, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be launching the first ever national survey of amateur arts groups in England.
Groups of voluntary and amateur participants from all artistic walks of life from music, dance and crafts, to theatre, visual arts and literature - are being encouraged to participate by going to www.artsurvey.org.uk and completing a short online questionnaire before 29 February 2008.
Culture Minister, Margaret Hodge, said:
The arts are a really important part of so many peoples lives. Taking part in local voluntary arts groups is rewarding, fascinating and fun. This survey is the first step to connect with those involved. Over 70% of people in England take part in artistic activities in all their many and varied forms - but for too long, local arts groups have not been fully recognised as an important part of our thriving arts scene. This survey will try to map voluntary and amateur arts groups and look at how they are supported and how more people could be encouraged to get involved.
The results will be published in the summer.
________________________________________________________Burnham new Culture SecretaryChief Secretary to the Treasury Andy Burnham has been announced as the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The news came just hours after the James Purnell’s appointment as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, following the resignation of Peter Hain.source: The Stage________________________________________________________Buskers receive much-needed support from new websiteA recent music graduate of Leeds University who busked regularly to help finance her course has launched a website supporting and promoting the art. Amy Commander created www.musicalbusker.co.uk to provide free practical advice to buskers, promotional opportunities and access to useful resources. These include a list of local councils that license street entertainment and a list of UK busking festivals.This much needed resource fills a gap in the services that exist for street artists. There is growing support in this sector for more large scale public art, and Musical Busker aims to complement this by providing support for smaller scale street entertainment.www.musicalbusker.co.uk________________________________________________________FUNDING________________________________________________________Communicating with fundersMaterial on building relationships, working with or simply communicating with funders, produced by all six National Hubs of expertise, has been pulled together into one reference list.www.hubs.org.uk/page.asp?id=76source: volresource________________________________________________________Age Concern - Barclays Programmedeadline - variousWho can apply?• Any voluntary or charitable club for older people whose charitable objectives are similar to those of Age Concern England, is eligible, and whose annual turnover is less than £50,000 per annum• A ‘club’ is understood to be an organised group of older people meeting regularly for social, recreational and other mutually beneficial purposes• Clubs must have a certain independence (e.g. be run by their own committee), and not be merely an activity run by a larger organisation• You do not have to be a registered charity but you do have to be a properly established group with a set of rules and your own bank or building society account. Grants cannot be made to individuals• If you are unsure of your eligibility please contact the Grants Unit for further advice.What can be funded?• Equipment for new and expanding services to older people (e.g. kitchen utensils, tea urn, chairs, crockery). Items needed for new and expanding activities for older people (e.g. art & craft equipment, CD player, games, visiting speakers, etc)• Grants must be for specific items, and not a contribution to general funds• Grants are limited to one per club or centre per financial year• Between November 2007 – July 2008 Grants are available towards the cost of celebrations, outings, or one off events, e.g. theatre trips, day outings, christmas parties etc. Barclays are keen to support these events and therefore are happy to provide funding towards such occasionsWhat can not be funded?• Grants are not available for replacement of worn out/obsolete equipment• Grants are not available for meals and refreshmentHow much can we apply for?• The maximum grant is £500For further information, guidelines and deadlines visit www.ageconcern.org.uk________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Awards for Young Musiciansdeadline - 4 April 2008Awards for Young Musicians is pleased to announce that applications are now invited for its 2008 Awards Scheme. AYM supports young instrumentalists, who make music in any genre, who can clearly show that they are really talented and committed and that they need financial help with their music expenses.Open to 5 to 18 year olds, Awards range from £200 to £2000. Application forms are now available. For further information visit http://www.a-y-m.org.uk/ or email awards_at_a-y-m_dot_org_dot_uk, call 0117 9049906 or send an A4 SAE (with 70p postage please) to: Awards for Young Musicians, PO Box 2754, Bristol BS4 9DA.