Music and Politics more like!
If you’re Brassed Off with the Thatcher funereal histrionics? Here's Pete Postlethwaite at his sublime best.
Thanks to J.A. for the suggestion.
Prisoner Soul
In the 1960s and early 1970s, a number of U.S. prisons allowed inmates to form bands and produce commercially available LPs. Today, many of those records are collectors' items. Gary Younge tracks down some of the men who were in these groups, finding out how the music shaped their lives and hearing from those who supported this progressive initiative in the face of the old punitive regime. Click on the image below to hear this excellent programme.
Standardised Schools
Great article here from Rowan Moore about the new wave of Michael Gove’s ‘standardised, templated buildings for our children’s education.’ Click on the image below to read it.
Two Networking Events in the Pipeline
Some of you attended the networking event where Claire Ford presented her reflections and learning from time spent in the US as part of her Churchill Travelling Fellowship. I’m pleased that Claire has agreed to come to share some of her more recent work around the arts and dementia and her iPad engage project. I expect to announce a date for this evening session over the next couple of weeks. For now, and to whet your appetite, here is a small film that has been produced by my colleagues at the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies at Newcastle University. Although this doesn’t explore Claire’s work using digital technology, it is refreshing and informative and is a very English piece of work when seen alongside the Meet Me at MoMA film - a kind of Mike Leigh and James Cameron comparison perhaps, but do watch them both. They are equally splendid and impacting on the lives of people who could be so disenfranchised from wider society and specifically, from culture and the arts.
Some of you attended the networking event where Claire Ford presented her reflections and learning from time spent in the US as part of her Churchill Travelling Fellowship. I’m pleased that Claire has agreed to come to share some of her more recent work around the arts and dementia and her iPad engage project. I expect to announce a date for this evening session over the next couple of weeks. For now, and to whet your appetite, here is a small film that has been produced by my colleagues at the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies at Newcastle University. Although this doesn’t explore Claire’s work using digital technology, it is refreshing and informative and is a very English piece of work when seen alongside the Meet Me at MoMA film - a kind of Mike Leigh and James Cameron comparison perhaps, but do watch them both. They are equally splendid and impacting on the lives of people who could be so disenfranchised from wider society and specifically, from culture and the arts.
Watch the Meet me at MoMA film by clicking on the image below.
I’m also thrilled that my friend and colleague Sarah Lawton is going to share something of her time in India at a networking evening too. Here are some of her thoughts.
An alternative India Report
Santosh sabse bada dharm loi!!!
The presentation at the North West Arts for Health Network meeting will reflect upon the ‘senses’ and ‘impressions’ of cultural values in India. Sarah Lawton studied for five months at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and undertook a number of personally driven research projects for her MA in Textiles at Manchester School of Art. Engaged in a curriculum, which included the International Open Elective, ‘thrive after fifty five’, she enquired into the cultural differences regarding ageing in Gujarat for people living at different economic levels, in an emerging economy.
An alternative India Report
Santosh sabse bada dharm loi!!!
The presentation at the North West Arts for Health Network meeting will reflect upon the ‘senses’ and ‘impressions’ of cultural values in India. Sarah Lawton studied for five months at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and undertook a number of personally driven research projects for her MA in Textiles at Manchester School of Art. Engaged in a curriculum, which included the International Open Elective, ‘thrive after fifty five’, she enquired into the cultural differences regarding ageing in Gujarat for people living at different economic levels, in an emerging economy.
Her research is primarily focused on how engagement with print processes can benefit wellbeing. She is curious about how craft practice and industrial production methods impact on physical health and may benefit psychological balance. Participatory workshop concepts that had previously been tested in an NHS dementia assessment unit in the UK with patients, were revisited and built upon with older Rabari embroidery ladies in Sumrasar, Kutchi. In addition, Sarah worked with block printers in Vasna, carvers in Pethapur, tailors in Ahmedabad, herbal dye specialists in Lambha and applique artisans in Paldi. The research connected Sarah to people and helped her to understand place, powerfully grounding her practice. Key themes for her future work include ‘the social object,’ the nature of labour division and value of human inter-dependence. Her plan is to trial her Indian artisanal objects in participatory workshops and commercial settings in order to sustain connections between local and International partners.
Arts and older people in care commissioned grant
A £1million Arts and older people in care programme has been launched, jointly funded by the Arts Council and The Baring Foundation. We are seeking proposals from partnerships or consortia led by either residential care providers or arts organisations to deliver a three-year programme providing access to high quality arts experiences for older people in residential care. The starting point for Arts and older people in care programme is that people continue to be creative as they age but in some circumstances they may need specific support from arts organisations to unlock and develop these talents. Click on the photo below for more details of this important opportunity.
Articulate
Venture Arts Celebrates a Voice Through Art
The Lowry, Salford, Quays from 12th April 2013
Venture Arts are proud to announce their fourth major art exhibition ‘Articulate’ at the Lowry, Salford Quays celebrating the talents of their brilliant team of over 70 people with learning disabilities. This new project highlights the importance of personal expression and explores different forms of communication interpreted in creative ways. Many people who work with Venture Arts are non-verbal, have hearing impairments or find it difficult to express themselves through speech; ‘Articulate’ gives these people a Voice Through Art. Click on the image below by Tom and Stephen for more details.
The Wellcome Trust Broadcast Development Awards (UK)
The Wellcome Trust has announced that the next closing date for applications to its Broadcast Development Awards (BDA) is the 26th April 2013. The BDAs support the development of broadcast proposals in any genre that engage the audience with issues around biomedical science in an innovative, entertaining and accessible way. The Trust are interested in funding individuals and organisations with brilliant early-stage ideas for TV, radio, new media or gaming projects. The funding will enable these ideas to be developed into high-impact, well-researched proposals that can be used to secure a broadcast platform and/or further funding. Development funds might be used to undertake thorough research, create a taster tape, develop a script, or build a game prototype or mood reel. The project should primarily be aimed at a mainstream UK and/or Republic of Ireland audience in the first instance, although the subject matter can be international. Broadcast Development Awards are up to £10 000, for a maximum of one year. Read more at: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/funding/public-engagement/Funding-schemes/Development-Awards-Broadcast-Gaming-and-Film/index.htm
Funding for Links with Japan (UK)
The Daiwa Foundation which supports closer links between Britain and Japan is seeking applications under its small grants programme. Grants of £3,000 - £7,000 are available to individuals, societies, associations or other bodies in the UK or Japan to promote and support interaction between the two countries. Daiwa Foundation Small Grants can cover all fields of activity, including educational and grassroots exchanges, research travel, the organisation of conferences, exhibitions, and other projects and events that fulfil this broad objective. New initiatives are especially encouraged.
The next closing date for applications is the 30th September 2013. Read more at: http://www.dajf.org.uk/grants-awards-prizes/daiwa-foundation-small-grants
£100k Funding Available for Charities in Tameside
The Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales has announced that as part of its Community Programme it has over £100,000 available to award to charities working in Tameside that support disadvantaged people. The Foundation supports registered charities whose core work helps disadvantaged people to play a fuller role in communities. The Foundation is particularly interested in work that achieves this through improved social and community involvement; improved life choices and chances and helping people to be heard. Charities and take the short eligibility questionnaire or call 0870 411 1223. Read more at: http://www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk/PressandMediaCentre/Pages/TAMESIDESIGHTRECEIVES£19,700GRANT.aspx
Healthy Hearts Grants (UK)
Heart Research UK has announced the next funding round under its Healthy Heart Grants Scheme will open on the 1st July 2013. Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Grants support innovative projects designed to promote heart health and to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease in specific groups or communities. Grants of up to £10,000 are available to community groups, voluntary organisations and researchers who are spreading the healthy heart message. The closing date for this funding round will be the 31st August 2013. Read more at: http://www.heartresearch.org.uk/grants/healthyheartgrant
Thank you for visiting this blog and get in touch about anything...C.P.