Arts Council Funding for EFDSS

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: johnadams
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 08:59 AM

Amen to that sfmans! During the EFDSS absence from mainstream folk activity there has been a wealth of development in the regions including our own Ryburn 3 Step. During my 8 years on the National Council (2000 -208) I did all I could to stimulate the formulation of a regional strategy but aspirations were always foiled by funding shortfalls. Some of this new funding could be used to provide a network and infrastructure within which the local providers could operate and inform each other - training, good practice, interactivity of tutors, etc. etc.

Comhaltas does a good enough job but it is not the model that EFDSS could or should emulate. Folk Arts England has provided a lot of leadership in the important areas and given the changes in FAE future emphasis, EFDSS could look at extending and enhancing those area of activity while also bringing its own ideas to bear.

Congratulations to all the people in the background who have made this funding possible with months/years of networking and lobbying. Chief Exec Katy Spicer is fortunate to be inheriting the fruits of this labour and I am confident that she will be able to optimise the opportunity and make a difference for the society and the folk scene in general.

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 09:15 AM

Comhaltas does a good enough job but it is not the model that EFDSS could or should emulate.[quote]why? it is successful.
do you have an alternative thats better
JIM,I have been asking this question[Not having a little rant,that is a patronising remark]the question is do efdss provide national tuition[the answer looks like no]
next question,if not why not,is it lack of money?it is their brief to promote traditional song and dance,just as comhaltas have a brief to promote irish traditional dance and song.
Ruth, suggested I join EFDSS,no ,my money is better spent going to Comhaltas who teach traditional music,If EFDSS were to provide comprehensive tuition[IN any form] I would consider joining ,In the meantime Comhaltas with all their faults,gets my money.

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: johnadams
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 09:54 AM

Dick, Comhaltas is undoubtedly successful in what they do but yes, there are alternatives that will likely be more suitable to the EFDSS financial and structural makeup (and therefore better).

The trustees spend time going to conferences, attending meetings, reading minutes, checking government policy documents etc. getting themselves well informed so that they can be in a position to take advantage of opportunities. Such an opportunity has arisen at last and rest assured, if Comhaltas provides the optimum model, EFDSS will probably consider adopting it. Or there may be bits of good practice which they could adopt.

The society will, however, be starting from where it is and getting to the next stage rather than trying to re-invent itself in another society's image, no matter how much you champion their cause.

Although your opinion is as valid as anyone else's on this forum, you are not as well informed as some of the people who have devoted their time, energy, social life and often money to solving the problems. I think they've done very well thus far and I am happy to trust them to develop their strategies further.

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 10:33 AM

well an obvious suggestion,would be to extend the tuition and school projects using cecil sharp house as a base.
your post rather implies I do not know what I am talking about.
my information is correct about the lack of comprehensive regional tuition by the EFDSS compared to Comhaltas,My opinions are well informed.
I was not suggesting that Comhaltas should be slavishly copied,I was suggesting that they should be studied [for their strengths and weakness]and some things that they do could be adopted, particularly childrens tuition[this does not have to be competition orientated].
I understand that these things have to be done gradually,but an extension or adaption of the schools projects would be money well spent.
using CECIL SHARP HOUSE as a base is a good business idea,think of the building as a shopkeeper might his shop,the ultimate aim being to get people [particularly young children] visiting the house regularly.
to   quote the old jesuit phrase,get a child before he is eight and he is yours for life.

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: johnadams
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 11:39 AM

Sorry but sounds really confused - regionality AND centralism?

You don't seem to be able to talk about strategy and what about sustainability? - £200,000 is a start but it won't stretch that far these days.

Enabling the existing tutors is probably the best approach and contrary to what you seem to think, there are lots of them working in schools all over the country. They are independent of the EFDSS but they could still benefit from a strategy that provides support and information, the sort of thing that sfmans and others describe.

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 11:50 AM

regionality or centralism,thats for the members to decide,both have advantages or disadvantages ,but for heavens sake start doing something.
[They are independent of the EFDSS but they could still benefit from a strategy that provides support and information, the sort of thing that sfmans and others describe.] QUOTE
Here we go again,you will be telling me next its not EFDSS responsibilty to provide tutors or promote tuition.
with the money THEY have received EFDSS, should be spending on extra tuition.
this money should go directly to tutors so that more children can benefit from extra tuition,it should not go on bureaucracy.

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 12:33 PM

Comhaltas belongs in Ireland, the EFDSS belongs in England.

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 12:58 PM

as far as I am concerned,any tuition in traditional music is welcome.
the more different people doing it the better,be it EFDSS OR Comhaltas the better,because there will be varying styles,and different approaches.

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 10 Oct 09 - 01:08 PM

"Folk music IS meant to be local/regional/national" (here)...and please don't get me wrong, GSS, I definitely do enjoy listening to some Irish music - but I'd never practice/perform it because I am English, and because I love our world being multicultural.

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: Folkiedave
Date: 29 Oct 09 - 05:09 AM

I suspect this has been said but let me try again.

When making applications for this sort of money you have to say in advance what you are going to use it for.

They check you are using it for what you said you are going to use it for.

Therefore the money is already allocated. Had it been allocated for tutoring I suspect the EFDSS and Arts Council might have said so.

The way to influence the way it is spent is to join the society.

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: mattkeen
Date: 29 Oct 09 - 06:15 AM

Its strategic money for development.

Fortunatly the EFDSS is now staffed and run by professionals who know what they are doing.


Some of us work in the professional arts and fund raising world.

Looking forward to Nick Hallam's work - I know Nick and spoke to him at Sidmouth this year - a great move to get a marketing and communications professional in and to build that department.
For a long time I have felt that one of the big problems we face how to get people who have never experienced the music to get beyond their preconceptions

Subject: RE: Arts Council Funding for EFDSS
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Oct 09 - 06:40 AM

Dave,I feel my money is better spent going to Searchlight,and to Comhaltas[for all their faults]
However, you are a member, perhaps you could suggest my idea for future consideration.perhaps you could also nominate Vic and Tina Smith,and Ron Angel for gold badges.