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.    

Barnsley Council and Brass Bands

On Wednesday, 12th March 2008 I had a meeting with Mr G Noble, Chief Officer for Culture Media and Sports at Barnsley Council at the council offices. Also present was Ms Helen Ball, Arts & Culture Strategy Manager for Barnsley Council. Items discussed included:

 

• The role of BFBB
• National matters for brass bands
• Local bands and their activities
• Local government funding issues for the Arts & Culture in general and for brass bands in particular
• Cultural action in schools and education and how brass bands may be involved
• The new initiative to ensure that children receive five hours of cultural education each week
• The idea of a Youth Development Plan for brass bands possibly linked to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
• An inclusion of brass bands/brass music education/brass band events in the Arts & Cultural Strategy of Barnsley Council (Currently under review and being re-written)

 

I was pleased to received an undertaking from Ms Ball that BFBB will be asked to all relevant meetings/events held by Barnsley Council regarding Culture, Heritage and Music in the future.