An email from the Arts Council tells me that:
The first ever arts engagement campaign delivered against Arts Council England’s mission of great art for everyone goes live as a national pilot in September
I went along to a thing about this in November last year. The focus in this part of the world will be on the Black Country and the Arts Council have given Audiences Central some cash to run some trials over the summer:
- Wolverhampton where The Shape of Things touring craft exhibition was held at Bilston Craft Gallery May to July. It focused on family and community and mid-life hobbyists. It included family friendly events and participatory activity.
- Sandwell where the Sandwell Arts Festival during the last two weeks of July was developed as a flagship for the area. It was timed to coincide with the Cultural Olympiad Weekend. It included: a children’s music festival; theatre for all generations, a tea dance and arts workshops; Bollywood Brass Band; dance events; an art exhibition and young people’s music at the Public; outdoor participatory performances by Multi-Storey and Black Country Touring.
- Dudley where their successful Artspace project involving empty shops has been developed. The original project worked with Adult Learning and Dudley and they have used the experience to create an initiative for Arts Nation involving many organisations. It will target families and communities as well as mid-life hobbyists.
- Walsall where they have set up an Arts Nation steering group of local arts organisations. They are also carrying out research to find out how arts and culture is delivered through services including health, social services, sport, children’s services and The New Art Gallery
More info will be at Arts Nation West Midlands.