Our Creative Talent

A major national conference, entitled ‘Our Creative Talent’ was hosted at the Barbican centre, London on 1^st & 2^nd July 2008 by DCMS, ACE and VAN. The focus of the event was to launch new research that looks in detail at the size make-up and impact of the voluntary arts sector and its potential for growth. On the agenda were also discussions and presentations about the significant contribution that participation in the arts makes to local communities. Of course brass bands are right at the heart of many of our communities and that is why I attended the event.

 

The keynote speakers were Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, Minister for Culture; Alan Davey, Chief Executive, ACE; Robin Simpson, Chief Executive, VAN and Feargal Sharkey, Chief Executive, British Music Rights.

 

Much of Margaret Hodges’ presentation was centred on the recent MacMaster’s report and the notion of excellence. She made a welcome distinction between excellence and elitism and spoke about our nation’s social capital, support for the arts from ACE and local authorities, and the diverse ways in which we all communicate and network in this electronic age.

 

Both Robin Simpson and Feargal Sharky called for the recognition that arts groups, including bands, crave for, as well as asking the government for better communication and involvement, support with capacity building and improved innovation and challenges for the sector.

 

So what of the future? Emerging proposals for arts and culture in the 21^st centaury are gathering around the provision of ‘informal adult learning’, that is, finding a balance between the provision for skills and qualifications and the funding of activities for community development. Government, both local and national will be searching for a framework of values that will include the broadcasting media, the use of public spaces and consultation with the voluntary arts sector. A further government report is expected in September 2008 followed by a policy paper that will set out the future vision for Informal Adult Learning.

 

This was truly an inspiring conference. VAN is certainly centre stage to represent the arts at national level, quite rightly so. The brass band sector should be in full support of VAN and congratulate them on a superb event. It was an important day for the voluntary arts, brass bands included, what a pity that none of our so-called band press were there to cover such a significant meeting. Such influential events are vital to the development of banding in the UK.    

National Government & Brass Bands

(1) Arnold Tattersfield and I held a meeting with Mr J Ennis, MP for Barnsley East and Mexborough, on Friday, 7^th March 2008 at the National Office. Matters discussed included:

• The role of BFBB 
• Mr Ennis’ recent delegation meeting with the Minister for State for Culture Media & Sport 
• Funding issues for brass bands 
• The direction of further funding campaigning
• A forthcoming meeting arranged with the Director of Yorkshire Forward 
• The Voluntary Arts Network (VAN) 
• 2012 Cultural Olympiad

 

Following the successful meeting Mr Ennis asked a question in the House of Commons on Monday, 10^th March 2008, which was subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 4:

 

          Jeff Ennis (Barnsley East and Mexborough) (Lab):

Does the Secretary of State agree that the British Federation of Brass Bands, which is based in Barnsley … will play a vital role in making a success of the Cultural Olympiad?

 

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Andy Burnham): It absolutely will … On brass bands, I am absolutely confident that the rich heritage that my hon. Friend describes – celebrated in the film “Brassed Off” – will play a very important part in our Olympic celebrations.

 

(2) I was then invited to join Mr Ennis’ delegation to meet The Director of Yorkshire Forward. The meeting was held in their offices in Leeds on Monday, 17^th March 2008. Issues discussed were:

 

• Justification for supporting bands
• Business Models for bands
• 2012 Cultural Olympiad
• Youth bands/KS2 (Barnsley’s £250,000 programme and the infrastructure required to deliver in the future)
• University selection/Fairness in higher education/Widening participation agenda
• Loss of sponsorship for Championship bands

 

Once again this was a meeting with some success. Yorkshire Forward will fund/advise (probably BFBB) on a programme of Business advice and planning for brass bands. Also funding for some events connected to 2012 Culture Olympiad (through Yorkshire Culture). In a surprise move Yorkshire Forward said they would fund Grimethorp Band to the Europeans this year at £20,000 and for a further two years if it is a Yorkshire band that represents England.