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Interesting

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 | Interesting Organisations | No Comments

This is where we can share other interesting projects that are happening around the place. In particular it would be nice to know a point of view from the people who are running the projects and get insight from them… so if you see yourself on here, let us know your thoughts

Organisations such as:

Access Space: the UK’s first FREE MEDIA LAB. It’s a place where anyone can come and learn, create and communicate online. Access Space is designed to be as accessible as possible, welcoming beginners as well as experts - and it costs nothing to take part. Access Space makes the prospect of everybody moving from passive comsumer to active participant or producer serious and breaks down the digital divides through free and recycled computers and open source software.

a-n The Artists Information Company: focuses is on articulating the diversity and complexity of contemporary visual arts nowadays, through research, publications and interactive websites. Projects such as Interface (link is www.a-n.co.uk/interface) and Artists talking (www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking) acknowledge the strategic role communications technology plays in delivering platforms specifically for user-generated critical conversation around visual arts practice and its contexts and environment › Continue reading

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Tags: links, organisations, Resources

Manifestos

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 | Books / Magazines / Printed resources | No Comments

Manifesto of Possibilities: Rich resources at this wiki hosted by Birkbeck University, London: Increasingly, people working in diverse aspects of contemporary urban society, from developers to park wardens, are turning to the arts for new ideas, regeneration, problem solving and community bridge building. The employment of artists in these (traditionally non-cultural) fields, where there are other non-art issues and agendas at stake, is becoming the norm. This manifesto is a chance for you to address the uncertainties of commissioning art in areas of urban change, discuss crucial concerns, and devise tangible solutions, knowing they will be presented to key decision makers.

Personal, professional and policy factors within a community arts practice.

A great pdf report by Douglas Nicholson that can be downloaded here:

douglas-nicolson-personal-professional-and-policy-factors-within-community-arts-practice

Douglas Nicolson is a community artist with experience of project design, development and delivery. His interests lay in exploring artist role in varied organizational and cultural settings. He has previous experience in working within health, criminal justice, regeneration, intergenerational, education, gallery, international development and research focused projects.

As part of an MA in Community Art at Goldsmith he recently undertook a study of artists working in the social realm from the artist’s point of view. This was in part a response to the lack of artists voices within project evaluation. The aim of the study was to improve the knowledge base and therefore the practice of community arts through exploring the experience of the sample group of community artists, based in London, in relation to personal, professional and policy factors. By Identifying main factors that affect motivation within the field of community arts key recommendations for artists and policy are formulated.

Research methodology uses qualitative data from interviews of community artists, where the adaptation of a framework from a study by Herzberg et al (1959) is noted.

The study adds to the knowledge base on community arts, particularly concerning:

A lack of adequate management in the field.
A lack of recognition of the professionalism of artists, especially by social sector staff.
Artists have a lack of clarity over official aims and can focus on personal aims.
Artists have concerns over the instrumental aims of social policy.
Artists find grouping people by funding criteria problematic.
Artists have concerns over short term funding and lack of funded time allocated within projects.

A desire for a union to counteract negative managerial and financial factors is identified. The study also uncovers the importance of the self-actualisation effects of the work on the artists, particularly those linked with participants, as a major motivating factor. › Continue reading

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Tags: community

Web

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 | Web Resources | No Comments

Animarts: The Art of the Animateur: an investigation into the skills and insights required of artists to work effectively in schools and communities. Based on a series of action research projects undertaken by a cross-disciplinary team of artists and teachers, supported by Guidhall School of Music + Drama and Lift (formerly the London International Festival of Theatre). A rich report which considers the role of interpersonal skills and competencies - how to ‘be’, effectively, with others, in the context of collaborative creative undertakings - and draws on a range of research sources to support its findings.

Artists Professional Development Network: a UK-wide intelligence and exchange forum for organisations that are pro-actively developing information, advice, training and professional development services for visual and applied artists. APD operates informally, responding to needs by organising networking events and developing joint projects that strategically extend professional development opportunities for artists and trainers.

Oral History: Practical Advice: For those involved in arts projects involving oral history, clear and informed advice on recording devices, microphones, how to create the best interviewing environment, how best to structure questions and how to think about your manner during an interview.

mailout: national bi-monthly magazine for participation in the arts. mailout is the only national organisation with the purpose of supporting, advocating and developing participatory arts work in all art forms and a wide range of social and community contexts. › Continue reading

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Tags: artist

Toolkits

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 | Toolkits / Handbooks | No Comments

The toolkit: a website for people developing creative enterprises and community arts projects. Information on organisations, networks, training and funding, as well as as well health and safety, and child protection guidelines. Manchester focused.

The Digital Artists Handbook:

Produced by Folly, based in Lancaster, this is an introduction to different tools, resources and ways of working related to digital art. It aims to be a signpost, a source of practical information and content that bridges the gap between new users and the platforms and resources that are available, but not always very accessible. Positive Emphasis on Free/Libre Open Source Software.

Teamworks: working with new media and live performance: an online handbook about exploring the interface between media art and live performance, in the form of a series of lesson plans/schemes of work. A rare example of content in this particular area, informed by expertise from media artist Derek Richards and staff from the National Theater. There’s a particular focus on the creative use of the Isadora software programme developed by Troika Ranch dance company. › Continue reading

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Tags: Handbook, help, Resources, toolkit

Stacy

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 | Video | No Comments

Documentation of Stacy Makishi who performed at the On the Margins of Technology’ symposium at SPACE in February 2008:

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Tags: Democracy, performance, Stacy

If

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 | Video | No Comments

Lois Weaver’s presentation / performance at the ‘On the Margins of Technology’ symposium at SPACE in February 2008.

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Tags: Democracy, failure, if, Lois

Democratising

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 | Video | 1 Comment

Ann Light, researcher on the Demtech project linked to The Not Quite Yet, explains the starting points and ideas behind the research.

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Tags: Ann

Geezer

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 | Video | No Comments

Excerpts from the presentation by Loraine Leeson and the Geezers at the ‘On the Margins of Technology’ symposium at SPACE in February 2008:

Loraine introduces the project, asking “how can experience can be brought to bear on innovation?” and then introduces the Geezers, who worked with Loraine to explore the possibility of alternative tidal power on the Thames. Ray and Ted explain the exploration of Tidal power:

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Tags: Experience, innovation, Loraine