Creative Midlands Articles

On The Flats – A History of Hyson Green
A new era at Spark
New website post: : Big Society Meeting Notes http://t.co/0BJEZZyG
Wishing You All A Merry Christmas
Artists' News & Opportunities Bulletin 31
Little or large? Gillian Bates on hurdles for artists levering grants and whether chances are loaded towards arts orgs http://t.co/kRb6hBK5
Seasonal cheer from everyone at a-n! View our animated message here: http://t.co/GQyknBAa
Own Art can bring in business for galleries

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 09:37 AM PST

Firstly, let us get any formalities out of the way – Merry Christmas to all our readers! I hope the post-Christmas-Day preparation frenzy hasn't left you all in a pit of festive despair. If it has, a few warming cocktails at The Good Elf bar in the Market Square should ease any shopping stresses you may have – you have my word.

Now I don't think anyone would argue that this lovely city isn't drenched in a rather vibrant history. However an exhibition currently showing at the Museum of Nottingham Life in Brewhouse Yard is focussing on local memories and memorabilia of the somewhat infamous Hyson Green Flats. For those who are young of the mind – they once stood on the current ASDA site in Hyson Green.

"On The Flats" is ran by the Hyson Green History Project and documents residents recounts of growing up and living in the flats.

Within it, you'll also be able to see "treasures from the Flats including a piece of concrete that was salvaged when the Flats were demolished in 1988, a street sign and a 1970s vibro massager".

There will also be historical photographs of Hyson Green and information about the flats, including key events like the 1981 Nottingham Riots and 'Blues' music parties.

All in all, the exhibit is well worth a trip to in order to see a slice of Nottingham's modern history before it's resigned to the record books and distant memories forever.

It runs until January 15th, with the museum being closed on 24, 25, 26 and 27 December 2011 and 1 and 2 January 2012.

For more information on the project, go to http://hysongreenhistory.org/

Photo credit to: http://hysongreenhistory.org/exhibition-starts-saturday-19th-november

A new era at Spark

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 07:10 AM PST

The Spark Children's Arts Festival is bidding farewell to director and founder Ellen Bianchini who will be leaving the festival at Christmas. Ellen founded the Leicester-based children's arts festival which is due to celebrate its tenth birthday during 2012. The organisation has appointed Adel Al-Salloum as her successor. Adel is currently Associate Director of Curve and will take up her new post in the New Year.

Ellen Bianchini established The Spark in 2003 and the festival features some of the best national and international artists creating work for children. Last year The Spark was attended by nearly 13,000 people and the 2012 festival will run from 28 May to10 June.

Ellen Bianchini comments: 'The Spark has some security of funding for the next three years as it was given National Portfolio status by Arts Council England this year, so this is a good time for a new director to come in and take the festival forward. The Spark has an outstanding and dedicated small team behind it, and many fantastic partners in the city and region. I'm immensely proud that together we have created a thriving and high quality arts festival for children in Leicester. And with its 10th birthday coming up in 2012 there is much more to look forward to!'

Peter Knott, Regional Director, Arts Council England said: 'It's been a pleasure to work with Ellen as she's developed The Spark into the largest independent children's arts festival in England and Wales. The festival is a major part of the cultural scene locally and has a well-deserved national and international reputation. I would like to wish Ellen all the best for the future.'

For more information about The Spark visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk.

New website post: : Big Society Meeting Notes http://t.co/0BJEZZyG

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 03:09 AM PST

New website post: : Big Society Meeting Notes http://t.co/0BJEZZyG

Wishing You All A Merry Christmas

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 04:03 AM PST

We would like to wish you a most Happy Festive Season and look forward to working with you all in 2012 - great things are afoot!

Turning Point West Midlands

We would like to thank Worcester-based artist Vered Lahav for her kind permission in allowing us to use her image Anatomy of Time 22.

Artists' News & Opportunities Bulletin 31

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 04:00 AM PST

Click below to view our last Bulletin of 2011...our next one will appear early in the New Year.

Bulletin 31

Little or large? Gillian Bates on hurdles for artists levering grants and whether chances are loaded towards arts orgs http://t.co/kRb6hBK5

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 04:19 AM PST

Little or large? Gillian Bates on hurdles for artists levering grants and whether chances are loaded towards arts orgs http://t.co/kRb6hBK5

Seasonal cheer from everyone at a-n! View our animated message here: http://t.co/GQyknBAa

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 04:08 AM PST

Seasonal cheer from everyone at a-n! View our animated message here: http://t.co/GQyknBAa

Own Art can bring in business for galleries

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 04:28 AM PST

If you are a gallery or arts organisation based in England and are interested in becoming a member of the Own Art scheme, you'll be pleased to know that Arts Council England is now inviting applications for membership.

Buying contemporary art made easy and affordable

Own Art makes it easy and affordable for people to buy contemporary art and craft by allowing them to spread the cost of their purchase over 10 months with an interest free loan. It's currently operated through over 250 member galleries across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, providing plenty of opportunities for people all over the country to start a collection of their own from as little as £10 per month.

Encouraging new audiences and buyers of contemporary art

Own Art membership can be a valuable tool for galleries in encouraging new audiences and increasing sales. 52% of member galleries surveyed at the end of 2010/11 said that the scheme had made a 'significant impact' on their business.

To be eligible for membership, galleries must have been trading for a minimum of 12 months, hold (or be willing to apply for) a Consumer Credit Licence and operate a UK bank account capable of accepting payment by BACS.

Membership of the scheme is also open to art colleges and universities for the promotion and sale of work by graduates at their degree shows and to other appropriate establishments such as artist co-operatives and studio groups.

Next steps...

If you are or know of an arts organisation or gallery that you think might benefit from joining the Own Art scheme, please contact us and we'll be happy to talk through the application process. The closing date is Monday 6 February 2012.

For more information and the application forms visit the Own Art website.

Creative Midlands