Small Grants for the Arts Available in Wansbeck

Arts for All is a small grants for the arts scheme operated by Wansbeck District Council which supports community based arts projects taking place in Wansbeck, Northumberland.

The new guidelines for Arts for All are now available. Please click on the link below to download the guidelines and application form.

www.wansbeck.gov.uk/index.cfm?page=single.cfm§ionid=884

Alternatively you can contact Katherine Lawson (01670 843401) or Dean Reay (01670 843401) to request a hard copy of the form.

Youth Arts Starter Kit from Artsplan

Launched by Artsplan last year, the Youth Arts Starter Kit has proven so successful that Artsplan is pleased to continue the offer this year.

The kit is designed for anyone who is starting to work with young people in the arts and would like a range of useful tools to support them in their work.

The kit has been produced by Artswork, the national youth arts development agency, as part of their Artsplan department and is currently available from Artsplan at a reduced price of £30 (incl. P&P).

For further details, or if you would like to purchase a Youth Arts Starter Kit please contact Jay Barron, Artsplan Development Manager on t: 023 8063 0960 e: artsplan@artswork.org.uk.

Full ENYAN members will receive an additional 5% discount off the total price of all Artsplan training and publications. For more information on membership visit www.enyan.co.uk.

Making Music Philip & Dorothy Green Award 2009: Applications Now Open

Applications are invited for the Philip & Dorothy Green Award for Young Concert Artists. Promising young musicians between the ages of 21 and 27 (for instrumentalists, or 31 for singers) who have left full-time education and are now embarking on their professional career are invited to apply for the award.

The prize comes in the form of professional engagements with Making Music's concert promoters, orchestras and choirs around the country.

Visit www.makingmusic.org.uk/ayca for more information and to download an application form. Applications should be received by 9 January 2009.

Advice surgeries for music groups

Making Music is offering free advice 'surgeries' for amateur and voluntary music groups in the North East. From choirs to orchestras, steel pan bands to promoting societies, this is a chance for groups to come and discuss their problems and concerns on a one-to-one basis.

For more information click here.

Clustering close in Alnwick

Building on the success of cluster groups in Newcastle and Durham, Making Music is now setting up a cluster of music groups in Alnwick and the surrounding area, together with the Bailiffgate Singers.

The group will decide its aims together but these might include:

• pooling publicity ideas and establishing where opportunities exist to work together to attract a wider audience
• anti-clash diary to avoid clashes of concert dates or repertoire
• collective bookings of soloists to reduce fees

An initial meeting will be held in Alnwick on an evening/weekend in either week commencing 18th August or week commencing 15th September to suit all interested parties. At that meeting groups will discuss what the purpose of the cluster should be, how often it will meet and so on.

At this stage we would encourage society chairs plus one other (possibly a committee member responsible for publicity, venues or dates) to attend, although you are welcome to bring more people if you wish.

If you are interested in coming along to the first cluster meeting or would like more information please get in touch (kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk, 07855 642308) or visit www.makingmusic-northeast.co.uk/cluster.

New child protection laws for 2009

The creation of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) is part of the biggest overhaul of vetting and barring arrangements ever undertaken in this country. It will cover 11.3 million people wishing to seek work or volunteer with children or vulnerable adults.

From 12 Oct 2009, anyone employed or volunteering to work with children or vulnerable people must apply to be registered with the ISA, in addition to the existing CRB checks. After this date it will be a criminal offence to employ anyone to work with children or vulnerable adults who is not registered. Applicants (apart from volunteers) must pay a one-off fee of £64 to register (£28 for registration with ISA and £36 for an enhanced CRB check).

Introduction to Sponsorship in the Cultural Sector

The Sponsors Club for Arts and Business will be delivering a subsidised seminar for everyone new to fundraising and business sponsorship, or thinking about ways to diversify income and optimise success in the sponsorship process.

The seminar will run on Thursday 12th June 2008 at Morpeth Mental Health Group, Morpeth High Street, from 9.30 - 1pm and is followed by lunch. The afternoon is then available for optional one to one sessions until 4pm to discuss your specific needs.

Further details are available here.

Training for the cultural sector

Northumbria University is hosting a series of networking days and training workshops on the following topics:

• Fresh Perspectives Networking Day
• Writing an Effective Press Release
• Community Interest Companies (CICs) and Cultural Enterprise
• Evaluation and Cultural Enterprise

Click here for more information.

Music cluster comes to Durham

Following the success of our pilot cluster group in Newcastle, Making Music is now setting up a cluster of music groups in Durham City and the surrounding area.

The group will decide its aims together but these might include:

• pooling publicity ideas and establishing where opportunities exist to work together
• anti-clash diary to avoid clashes of concert dates or repertoire
• collective bookings of soloists to reduce fees

An initial meeting will be held in Durham on an evening/weekend between 26 May and 8 June to suit all interested parties. At that meeting groups will discuss what the purpose of the cluster should be, how often it will meet and so on.

At this stage we would encourage society chairs plus one other (possibly a committee member responsible for publicity, venues or dates) to attend, although you are welcome to bring more people if you wish.

If you are interested in coming along to the first cluster meeting or would like more information please get in touch (kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk, 07855 642308) or visit www.makingmusic-northeast.co.uk/cluster.

ICT & the Arts: presentations, resources and audio interview available now

If you were unable to attend Voluntary Arts England's recent ICT & the Arts regional training events/national conference but would still like to find out how your art or craft group could benefit from information and communication technologies (ICT) then visit the previous events section of their website.

In addition to being able to download presentations, handouts and resources, you can also listen to an audio interview with Voluntary Arts England Coordinator Reemer J Bailey, recorded at the conference, looking at how the work of Voluntary Arts England has been enhanced by the use of ICT and how a new 'participation portal' will be of benefit to voluntary/amateur arts and crafts groups

www.vaengland.org.uk

Care to cluster?

Making Music is interested in setting up 'clusters', or collectives of music groups, around the North East. Clusters can be a really useful way to develop contacts with other groups, share ideas and experiences, make joint plans for the future and get support from other groups in the same position as you.

A pilot cluster of orchestras and bands in the Newcastle area has been running since autumn 2007 and two informal meetings have already led to collaborations on sharing sheet music, reciprocal website links, anti-clash, and finding new members. A joint publicity brochure is also planned for the 2008/09 season. The cluster has also proved to be an enjoyable opportunity for groups to catch up with each other in a relaxed environment over a cup of coffee.

We are now asking other music groups who are interested in establishing a similar cluster in their area to get in touch with the Regional Development Officer. Making Music will support the initial formation of the cluster, although clusters will ultimately be autonomous and will decide for themselves how often and for how long they meet, what subjects are relevant to them, and which of the ideas generated they want to take forward.

Clusters can be relevant to any music group - whether you are a choral society, a steel pan band, a promoting society, community choir or any other kind of music group, the benefits of talking to other like-minded groups are numerous.

For more information, visit www.makingmusic-northeast.co.uk/cluster or contact Kirsty McDowell, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk, 07855 642308.

Saturday Singing Classes in Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough Town Hall, 10.00am - 12.30pm

From 8 March 2008 Platform are holding singing classes for adults and children with an option to work on Vocal Technique or Just Sing for Fun. Open to all levels of vocal ability with tutors from a range of backgrounds including trained Opera Singers and Community Musicians. Classes will run every Saturday morning from March 8th. Whatever type of music you are into, come along and sing!

Sing for Fun classes are FREE
Vocal technique classes are £4 adult, £2 children
For more information visit www.platformteesvalley.org.uk or contact mail@platformteesvalley.org.uk.

Teaching Music Effectively (TME)

A short course for instrumental and vocal teachers
University of Teesside: 21-22 June and 20-21 Sept 2008

Platform is working in Partnership with the University of Teesside's School of Computing to bring the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music 4 day tutor training course to the Tees Valley.

Teaching Music Effectively covers the main issues that need to be explored as part of a career in music. It is designed to meet the needs of those relatively new to teaching who will benefit from support and guidance as they develop teaching skills and insights into learning. TME is also suitable for more experienced teachers in need of professional refreshment. The follow up weekend is scheduled for 20th/21st September.

For more information and a booking form visit www.platformteesvalley.org.uk or contact mail@platformteesvalley.org.uk.

New resources to help plan your repertoire

Our latest resource for member groups is a downloadable list of the notable forthcoming anniversaries of composers' births and deaths covering the next few years. This is intended to be a key component of an evolving toolkit that will help member groups in planning, giving you some ideas to consider for repertoire well in advance. Also, forewarned is forearmed - late planning may mean you find music scores for 'anniversary' composers in shorter supply, and also a probable glut of performances already scheduled across the region for pieces by that composer.

Forthcoming resources (in conjunction with the Dateline publication) will further help suggest uses of such a list (for example, thinking about alternative anniversaries or more obscure pieces, and planning and advertising dates well in advance) as well as other hints and tips on venues and promotion (some of which can be aided by use of this website).

For the downloadable list, check out the 'Other resources' section of the Training & Development area.

Free ICT training events from Voluntary Arts England

Newcastle, 26 February 2008

Workshop One: Is your art or craft group missing out?
More and more art and craft groups are using the web and computers to help their group and promote themselves - is your group missing out? This introductory workshop will guide you through the opportunities available to your group.

Workshop Two: Developing IT within your art and craft group
Masterclass exploring topics e.g. Web 2.0 and specialist software packages guiding you through the opportunities available to develop your IT capabilities.

Who can attend?
The events are primarily aimed at voluntary arts groups but are relevant to anyone involved in voluntary arts provision (national umbrella bodies, voluntary arts organisations, local authority arts officers, Arts Council staff, policy makers, consultants etc).

How to book
For more information and to book download the flyer and booking form from www.vaengland.org.uk or phone 0191 230 4464.

The Sage Gateshead's Early Years Network comes to Middlesbrough

Platform is bringing the successful Early Years Network for Music to Middlesbrough Town Hall on Saturday 29th March, 10am - 4pm.

Join The Sage Gateshead's Early Years Team, Tees Valley Music Service and Platform for a day of workshops, networking, talks and consultation. Meet other musicians, early years practitioners, music teachers, organisations and employers.

Take part in participative music-making workshops and have the opportunity to raise some of the issues that affect you in your practice.

Price: £20 including lunch

Contact Rebecca Pedlow, Platform Programme Manager on 01642 384687 or email mail@platformteesvally.org.uk for a booking form.

Primary Music Squad comes to Middlesbrough

Platform is bringing the successful Primary Music Squad, established by MusicLeader North East and designed by The Sage Gateshead, to Middlesbrough Town Hall on 25th February 2008.

Whole Class Singing, Information about the National Sing Up Campaign, Singing for Boys, Developing Music Policies, Good Partnership Practice, networking, learn new repertoire, develop new skills and all in one day of FREE training.

Tees Valley Music Service are running a session in the morning and The Sage Gateshead in the afternoon.

This day is open to anyone who works in Primary Schools, including teachers, musicians, parents who'd like to help with music in schools, teaching assistants, cleaners and so on.

The workshop is open to people from all levels of musical ability, from beginners to advanced, and will run from 10am until 3.30pm.

Contact Rebecca Pedlow, Platform Programme Manager on 01642 384687 or email mail@platformteesvally.org.uk for a booking form.

National survey into listening habits

Hear Here! is the UK's first classical music listening project, presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Classic FM, with support from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation launching in January 2008 with live performances, on air on Classic FM and online.

Hear Here! will develop month-by-month. Each month a different aspect of listening will be explored and investigated, to encourage us all to think about the music that we listen to in a completely different way.

A dedicated website at www.hearhere.org.uk will provide an interactive resource for the project with content changing and building month by month. Visit the website to take part in the national survey about your listening habits. You could even win a digital radio!

Get involved in the 2012 Cultural Olympiad

Voluntary Arts Network (VAN) recently published a special briefing - the first of a new series designed to keep you up to date with developments within The Cultural Olympiad, what's in it for the voluntary arts and how you can get involved.

London 2012's vision for The London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is to make them for everyone in some way - to extend them beyond London, sport and 2012. The Cultural Olympiad is an integral part of this vision, allowing people to take part in cultural events and celebrations in London and all around the UK. It will begin in August 2008, directly after the end of the Beijing Games, and last for four years.

The briefing is available to download for free at www.voluntaryarts.org/12092.

New community grants fund

The Cabinet Office today unveiled the name of a new, multi-million pound funding programme to boost local community organisations with much-needed access to small grants and long-term financing. It also announced the appointment of the Community Development Foundation as its lead national partner in delivering the scheme.

'Grassroots Grants' will launch in the new year with £130 million available from 2008-2011 to strengthen the community sector. It will be divided into two parts: an £80 million small grants fund for community organisations; and a groundbreaking £50 million endowments programme to enable local foundations to generate additional donations from the private sector on a matched basis and invest them in endowments, thereby building their capacity to provide long-term funding for frontline community organisations.

For more information click here.

New consultation aims to reduce reporting red tape for charities

Deadline: 31 March 2008

The Office of the Third Sector and the Charity Commission have jointly published a new consultation, examining a package of proposals to reduce the red tape involved in financial reporting for charities. The two bodies have claimed that the proposals would reduce the regulatory burden for up to 75 per cent of registered main charities, allowing them to meet their accounting and reporting obligations in a simpler, less expensive, way.

The actual proposals include:

• only registered charities with an income above £25,000 would need to prepare a Trustees Annual Return, currently a requirement for all registered charities;
• the income threshold of £10,000, above which charities must submit their annual accounts to the Charity Commission would increase to £25,000;
• the income threshold of £10,000, above which charities must have their accounts externally examined, would increase to £25,000;

The consultation closes on 31 March 2008. To take part, visit
www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/threshold.asp.

Making Music North East announces training events

This month, Making Music launches a new programme to help voluntary music groups and community musicians engage with young people, families and their local communities.

'Sound' will combine structured training sessions with related longer-term development projects. Workshops will run across the North East and Yorkshire from January to June 2008, covering topics such as fund-raising, project planning, legalities and good practice in working with young people, marketing and image, and coaching young people.

Full details of the training events can be found in our events listings on the Training and Development page.

For more information about the 'Sound' programme visit www.makingmusic.org.uk/sound or contact Kirsty McDowell, North East Development Officer on 07855 642308, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

Securing business sponsorship for your group

The Arts and Business (Community Foundation) is hosting a seminar on securing business sponsorship for your group. Further details below.


Seminar: Introduction to Sponsorship
Organised by: Arts and Business (Community Foundation)
Durham, 16 January 2008
9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: £15 (negotiable for voluntary groups if necessary)

An introduction to securing business sponsorship for your group.

For more information contact Ruth Raynor, rr@communityfoundation.org.uk, 0191 222 0945
www.sponsorsclub.org.uk

Cash boost for amateur music

Music making across the North East and Yorkshire this month received a boost with the award of almost £4000 from the Awards for All lottery fund.

The money, awarded to the umbrella group Making Music, will go towards subsidising training and offering project opportunities to voluntary music groups and community musicians across the region in 2008.

David Crookes, Chairman of Making Music's voluntary committee in the North East, said, "This is great news for voluntary music making in the region. With an already thriving live music scene this award will enable existing music groups to open up their range of work."

Steel pan bands, orchestras, choirs and brass bands are just some of the extremely varied music groups who could benefit from the new funding. With a membership of almost 250 groups in the North East and Yorkshire, representing over 10,000 musicians and tens of thousands of audience members every year, there is no doubt the money will reach a large number of people.

Making Music will hold a series of training events around the North East and Yorkshire in 2008, covering a range of issues helping music groups work with young people. A project, 'Sound', will also be launched later this year to promote interaction between music groups, communities and young people.

More information on Making Music's forthcoming projects and events can be found here on the Making Music North East website, or by contacting the North East Development Officer (kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk, 07855 642308).

Using the Arts with Young People at Risk

29th November 2007, 10.00 - 16.15
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art,
Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road, Gateshead NE8 3BA

Artsplan, the training and publications arm of Artswork, the national youth arts development agency, is pleased to be delivering the one day course 'Using the Arts with Young People at Risk' at the Baltic.

'Using the Arts with Young People at Risk' will run on 29th November 2007. The course explores what can be achieved when using the arts with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. It will cover many of the practical issues involved in using the arts with young people at risk, including current CRB child protection legislation.

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance upon successful completion of the course, and a wealth of practical resources. The full prices for the course, which includes lunch and refreshments, is £150 but bursaries are available to allow a small number of volunteers to attend for just £55 each.

For more information on the course and to book a place, please contact Jay Barron, Artsplan Development Manager, on artsplan@artswork.org.uk or call 023 8063 0960. To subscribe to ENYAN visit www.enyan.co.uk.

Funding from Wear1 in Sunderland and Wearside

The Sunderland Echo is launching its highly successful Wear1 campaign for the second year running. The campaign is run by the paper to raise local pride in Wearside.
As part of the Campaign, the Community Foundation manages the Wear1 Fund awarding small grants to community groups working in Sunderland and Wearside.
Application details are shown in the Sunderland Echo and will be printed from 17 October 2007 and run for the full duration of the Campaign.
Find out more by reading the Sunderland Echo article.

Making Music launches cluster group

To help groups work together towards shared goals Making Music and the Tyneside Chamber Orchestra are launching a 'cluster' group for orchestras in the Newcastle area.
The group will address subjects as diverse as shared publicity, anti-clash diaries and block bookings of soloists.

Members of all Making Music orchestras in the Newcastle area have been invited to attend the initial meeting, which will be held in mid-November.

There are then plans to roll the idea out across the North East in 2008.

If you would like to get involved in the Newcastle orchestra cluster, or if you would like more information about setting up a cluster group in you area, contact Kirsty McDowell, Regional Development Officer for the North East, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk, 07855 642308.

ENYAN Launches New 'Creative Youth Consultation & Participation Toolkit'

Do you want to find out more about how the arts can be used to consult with young people?

How do young people really like to be consulted with, how much does it cost and what are the challenges we face?

This year, ENYAN (English National Youth Arts Network) launched a national campaign, 'What Do YOU THink?'. As part of this campaign, and after much research and consultation with the youth arts sector, the network is delighted to announce the launch of the 'Creative Youth Consultation & Participation Toolkit', which has been developed to provide clarity and support for the youth arts sector in this field.

The toolkit is of value to you if you work with, or for, young people and would like to take a creative approach to consultation projects or want to encourage creative participation. It is also of great importance to funders and governing bodies and acts as an advocacy document to encourage additional support for this area in the future.

The toolkit is completely FREE! To request your copy email Lisa, Projects Assistant, at enyan2@artswork.org.uk or call 023 8063 0960 - you can request the resource as a PDF attachment or a hard copy. As an ENYAN member you can also download this new resource from the website at http://www.enyan.co.uk/uploadable_media/show/4513.

ENYAN membership is now completely free! Sign up at www.enyan.co.uk

Youth Arts in Focus: the 6 guideline collective

Artswork has published a '6 guideline collective', a set of comprehensive guidelines to help you explore and set up initiatives within the wide-ranging world of youth arts. Each pack compliments a same-named course in the Artsplan training programme so that theory can be put into hands-on practice.

Pack titles include:

• Creating Respect: using youth arts to develop an understanding of cultural diversity;
• Using the arts with juvenile and young offenders;
• Access all Areas: disability and youth arts;
• Working Together: using the arts with young people;
• Using the arts to work with young asylum seekers and refugees;
• Using the arts to work with young people at risk.

Each pack addresses specific issues within its topical area, such as focussing on the ways in which barriers to participation within the arts can be removed for disabled young people and young asylum seekers. For further details or to make an order, please contact the Artsplan Development Manager Jay Barron on 023 80630960 or visit www.artswork.org.uk/artsplan.

Awards for Young Musicians

Awards for Young Musicians invests £50,000 a year in talented musicians in the UK. Awards vary between £200 and £2000 and are available to young people aged 5 to 18 to contribute towards expenses such as teaching, course fees, travel and instrument purchases.

Applicants are required to:

• have achieved distinction in their last music exam, or, if they haven't taken exams, show evidence of this level of ability;
• be recommended by their music teacher;
• have their families show evidence of financial need.

Application forms for 2008 awards are available from October 2007 from www.a-y-m.org.uk.

Artsplan launch new Training Centre in the North East

Artsplan, the training and publications department of Artswork and the in-house training provider of ENYAN (English National Youth Arts Network) have just announced the launch of a new Artsplan Training Centre (ATC) at Baltic on Gateshead Quays.

The one-day courses, 'Using the Arts with Young People at Risk', and 'Get Sorted 2: budgeting and fundraising a youth arts project' have been chosen following a period of consultation of professional development needs in the North East.

'Using the Arts with Young People at Risk' will run on 29th November 2007. The course explores what can be achieved when using the arts with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. Starting with an explanation of the benefits of youth arts this session will cover many of the practical issues involved in using the arts with young people at risk, including current CRB child protection legislation.

'Get Sorted 2: budgeting and fundraising a youth arts projects' will run on 26th March 2008. This course is aimed at anyone who has a good idea for a youth arts project, but needs help in developing their budget and successfully securing funding for their project. Based upon years of experience of setting up and running successful youth arts projects in a variety of settings, Get Sorted 2 will take you through a step by step guide for planning and drafting your own budget, advise on the best way to fill in funding applications and suggest where you can go to find the funds you need.

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance upon successful completion of the course, and a wealth of practical resources. Prices for the courses, which include lunch and refreshments, range from £150 to £110, with bursaries available. Please also remember that ENYAN members receive 5% discount on all Artsplan publications and training.

For more information on the course and to book a place, please contact Jay Barron, Artsplan Development Manager, on artsplan@artswork.org.uk or call 023 8063 0960. To subscribe to ENYAN visit www.enyan.co.uk.

National study of voluntary arts activity in England

On 6 September 2007 Margaret Hodge today announced that DCMS is commissioning a new study which will produce, for the first time, a national picture of amateur arts activity in England.

Speaking to the National Association of Local Government Arts Officers (NALGAO) conference, she unveiled plans for the six-month joint Arts Council England research project. As well as trying to provide a national picture of the sector, the study will explore what prompts people to take part (and what barriers there are) and the impact voluntary arts groups can have in their communities. A second strand to the research will seek to determine the contribution Adult and Community Learning makes to public engagement with and participation in the arts.

The research is expected to be published in May 2008.

(from CNE Bulletin)

Understanding the web and making it work for your organisation

These FREE sessions are aimed at any third sector voluntary or community organisation, which is either considering developing a website or, which already has one but wants to make it more effective.

The sessions will cover everything from choosing a web designer, to understanding accessibility and search engines. They will be presented in clear simple English and include support materials. Additionally, we are running a day where you will have the opportunity of a consultation where you can discuss your specific web requirements directly.

These sessions will be held on November 1st and 7th at the VONNE offices.

More information: www.flatlinedesign.co.uk/training

BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year

Deadline: 18 November 2007

BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year is open for entries until 18 November 2007. Choirs of all sizes and musical styles are invited to take part, and there is no fee for entering. The first stage of the competition requires participants to send in recordings of their choir in action, followed by area and national selection. The competition culminates with six finalists performing at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 7 December 2008.

More information and application forms can be found on the competition website at www.choiroftheyear.co.uk.

New form for charity registration

A new streamlined application form for charities in England and Wales wishing to register with the Charity Commission will appear on 1 October 2007, and the old style will cease to be accepted after 30 November 2007.

For more information, visit www.charitycommission.gov.uk/registration/newregform.asp.

PRS Funding Opportunity

Deadline: 2 November 2007

The PRS Foundation for New Music is again providing £50,000 to inspire and stimulate the creation of an imaginative and original piece of new British music. The New Music Award is of up to £50,000 towards a new music project and will be decided in March 2008.
In order to be considered for an award, you are required to submit an idea which:

• Is and original piece of new music
• Is intriguing, inspiring, creative and of the highest possible quality
• Challenges the boundaries of musical performance in the UK today
• Has at least one guaranteed live public performance in the UK
• Has the potential to create a lasting musical impact and reach a significant number of people
• Has been created by composers / songwriters / producers etc. living and working in the UK

Music of any genre is welcome to be entered. The performance can be presented in any context or suitable media. The project must have a public performance/showing in the UK by 1 September 2009. Additional performances need not be confirmed when an entry is submitted, however the Foundation will be looking for projects which will have a lasting musical impact.

The Award is open to individuals, groups, organisations and consortia. Additional information and entry forms are available from www.prsfoundation.co.uk/newmusicaward/index.htm

Culture Awards 2007

The Journal is now welcoming nominations for their Culture Awards 2007. The new annual awards aim to recognise outstanding North East cultural contributions from performances to playwrights, events to exhibitions, musicians to museums, artists to actors.

To nominate, or for further information visit http://www.journallive.co.uk/cultureawards.

The Culture Awards 2007 will be held at Northern Stage, Newcastle on Monday, 31 March 2008.

(Article taken from Culture North East Bulletin)

Voluntary Arts Ambassadors - available to visit YOUR group

Voluntary Arts Ambassadors meet with voluntary and amateur arts and craft groups across the country highlighting the work of Voluntary Arts England

Existing Voluntary Arts Ambassadors have been locating groups in their area, meeting with those groups, passing on information, distributing resources e.g. leaflets and giving presentations about our work.

If you are based in the North East, South East, South West or East region and feel that your group could benefit from a Arts Ambassador visit to learn more about our work and the FREE information services that we provide then download the attached booking form or contact Paul Devlin on 0191 230 4464

If you would like to become a Voluntary Arts Ambassador then visit www.vaengland.org.uk to download an application form. Induction / training days happen 3 times a year with the net one being planned currently.

Click here for the booking form: Booking Form (doc - 36k)

(From Voluntary Arts England News)

BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2008 (Deadline: 10 September 2007)

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, and the search for new talent is on. Whether you are a soloist, duo or group, the BBC Radio 2 Mike Harding Show is looking for young people aged between 15 and 20 who perform folk, roots and acoustic music from any culture. This is a great opportunity for young performers to learn new skills from professional musicians, be taught the tricks of the music trade and immerse themselves in making music and song with other like-minded people.

To enter, each group, duo or soloist should send a recording of their performance along with a completed entry form to:

BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2008,
Mrs Casey Music,
PO Box 296,
Matlock,
Derbyshire DE4 3XU.

To request an entry form please email info@mrscasey.co.uk or call 01629 827012.
Alternatively you can download an entry form from the BBC Radio 2 website at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2. Entry forms and recordings must arrive by Monday 10 September 2007.

Entrants must live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. For information and full entry guidelines email info@mrscasey.co.uk or call 01629 827012.

(News item from Voluntary Arts England news).

New factsheets available

Two new factsheets have been added to the Training and Development section - one on Fund-Raising and Maximising Resources, and one on Strengthening Your Committee.
Both are available in PDF format for you to download and print or save.
Head over to the Training and Development page where you can find them listed under Further Information with a whole host of other useful resources.

TalkTalk Innovation in the Community Awards 2007

Many UK charities and community groups have recognised the power of the Internet for giving much needed support, from chat rooms on health issues to web-based support networks.

Broadband, mobile and other digital technologies are helping to provide essential lifelines. TalkTalk and Citizens Online have teamed up to help UK charities and community groups harness the power of the web. Thirty projects will benefit from £2,000 each, plus a year's free subscription to TalkTalk. The TalkTalk innovation in the Community Awards 2007 are open to community groups and registered charities in the UK that are seeking funding for new and existing Internet projects.

For more details click here.

UP FOR ARTS Festival

Are you up for some fun? For something new? For meeting people?

If so, take part in UP FOR ARTS - a six week fest of arts and crafts of all sorts in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber and London. It's all about taking part in voluntary arts and crafts. From painting to pottery, drama to dancing, there will be shows and activities at unusual or unexpected venues. The first event is:

The UP FOR ARTS Festival at the Metro Centre in Gateshead on 22-26 July 2007. Sunderland City Library and Arts Centre 27 July Washington Arts Centre 28 July

Actor Robson Green, who supports the campaign, says: "UP FOR ARTS is a great way to try something new and have some fun. Being a student at Backworth drama centre awoke something in me and that was knowledge through creative expression and as a result I realised what I wanted to do with my life. Drama and the arts allows us to realise our possibilities and exceed our limitations. Have a go at the Metro Centre or visit an event near you and be amazed at what it could do for you".

Whatever your background, qualifications or physical abilities, find out what's on offer. Challenge yourself and have some fun. And it's all for free. Keep checking out our website for regular updates - www.vaengland.org.uk/artsandcrafts.

Cobweb Orchestra Leader Training

The Cobweb Orchestra is looking for leaders (in the sense of facilitator/conductors rather than first violinists) who want to develop their skills working with amateur orchestral musicians. Once trained, there are opportunities for paid work with the newly independent and expanding Cobweb Orchestra as a regional group leader or on a sessional basis.

What the training offers: One day studying repertoire and methods with the chance to try out your conducting with the Guinea Pig Orchestra. One session running an orchestral rehearsal with follow-up tutorial to discuss further development.

Trainer profile: We are looking for musicians with a wide variety of skills. You may be a community musician with an interest (possibly slightly rusty) in orchestras, or you may be an orchestral player who would like to try conducting and know more about how to run a successful ensemble, or a choir trainer who wants to diversify.

You can read full details of this exciting opportunity and how to apply here.

Benefiting from the experience of others

Making Music members across the North East of England recently got the chance to take a closer look at their funding situation at two events entitled "Looking to the Future".

The events covered a wide range of ideas, and while the standard topics of applying for grants and looking for sponsors were covered, there was also a strong focus on being innovative in raising and using funds and maximising the resources you have. Getting endorsements from local celebrities, securing 'in-kind' support from rehearsal venues and offering a 'concert virgins' scheme (whereby anyone who has never been to a classical music concert before gets free entry) were just some of the ideas discussed.

As well as the opportunity to meet members of the North East committee and the Training and Development Officer, professionals from national concert venue The Sage Gateshead and lobbying organisation Platform Tees Valley were also present. Both spoke enthusiastically on the subject of fund-raising and maximising resources, and had a great deal of ideas and experience to share.

Making Music's own Paul McLaughlin was also on hand to offer ideas and advice to those present, and Kirsty McDowell (North East Development Officer) guided members through the many benefits of Making Music membership, helping them identify additional benefits they might have been unaware of. In addition there was plenty of time for members to discuss ideas and past experiences (both good and bad!) with each other over coffee, and delegates came away with a host of new ideas to try out in their own societies.

If you would like more information about fund-raising or maximising resources contact Kirsty McDowell at kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk.

Have Your Say

Making Music representatives should recently have received a questionnaire in the post asking you some questions about your society - what you have done in the past, what concerns you have for the future, and so on.

If Training and Development in the North East had a resolution this year it would be to get to know all our members in the region. Some societies we already know well, some not so well, and we want to correct this situation over the coming months to get a picture of all our members - what you do, what challenges you face and how we can help you overcome these difficulties.

We'll use the information we get from you to help us decide where to focus our efforts and how best to help you in the coming year so please make use of this opportunity to tell us what you want!

We're also interested in hearing about your past successes - have you commissioned a new work, run masterclasses, raised funds for new equipment or put on a special event? If so let us know about it!

If you haven't received your questionnaire contact Kirsty McDowell, Training and Development Officer North East (07855 642308, kirsty@makingmusic.org.uk).