UK - Important Arts Survey

Subject: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: johnadams
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 01:09 PM

--copied from SEFAN Bulletin

DCMS conducts first national study of voluntary arts activity in England
dates: 1-29 February

On 1 February, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be launching
the first ever national survey of amateur arts groups in England.

Groups of voluntary and amateur participants from all artistic walks of life
– from music, dance and crafts, to theatre, visual arts and literature - are
being encouraged to participate by going to www.artsurvey.org.uk and
completing a short online questionnaire before 29 February 2008.

(going live 01.02.08 according to website)

Culture Minister, Margaret Hodge, said:

The arts are a really important part of so many people's lives. Taking part
in local voluntary arts groups is rewarding, fascinating and fun. This
survey is the first step to connect with those involved. Over 70% of people
in England take part in artistic activities in all their many and varied
forms - but for too long, local arts groups have not been fully recognised
as an important part of our thriving arts scene. This survey will try to map
voluntary and amateur arts groups and look at how they are supported and how
more people could be encouraged to get involved.

The results will be published in the summer.

----------------------
SEFAN adds...

We should strongly encourage EVERYONE in folk and trad.arts to fill this in
when it's up.
Folk is hugely under-represented on Government radar. HMG / ACE really have
no idea of how big the sector is. Lets get us noticed!!

Please forward this one to as many contacts as you can.
(I have already passed it on to FAE newgroup and the Morris Fed.)

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 07:39 PM

Folk-culture and anecdotal evidence indicates that a thread at mudcat with two posts is much more likely to be read than one that gets half-way down with only one.

A third post (if needed) may actually get people curious enought to look.

As a public service, I'll offer the opinion that this deserves a click, even if I can't contribute to the survey.

John

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Jan 08 - 08:15 PM

I will bring this to the attention of Admiral - he can post on behalf of the membership of Maidenhead Folk Club .

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 08:19 AM

I'll alert Cornwall Songwriters and they can spread the word too.

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: Banjiman
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 08:33 AM

....and here's the link, get clicking!

http://www.artsurvey.org.uk/

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: Rasener
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 08:45 AM

And then wait for PRS, PEL and Gordon Brown to tax you to the hilt.

Or am I mistrusting our wonderful Labour government!!!!!

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: Mr Happy
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 08:49 AM

.........took the words out of my mouth!

Pay to entertain yourself!

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: GUEST,Chris P.
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 09:54 AM

Yes Mr Happy, I'm half afraid you're right. However, when we protest at being damaged by government policy, it may be to our advantage for them to understand what a large constituency we are. (On the other hand they may merely see a bigger pocket to dip into!)
Chris P.

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: johnadams
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 10:42 AM

I agree that we have to be careful what we own up to if things might be jeopardised by PEL, PRS etc. but there's plenty going on above the parapet that can show what a large, active and richly varied mix we have on the folk scene.

I agree to some extent that we should 'pay to entertain ourselves' but that doesn't support all the schools work that goes on in the capable hands of our professional and semi professional colleagues - the Coes, Anne Lister, Eddie Walker, Barry Goodman, Pete Castle, to name just a few off the top of my head. That's where this sort of survey can help.

I'm in favour of waving the flag!

J

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: Tootler
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 06:05 PM

And then wait for PRS, PEL and Gordon Brown to tax you to the hilt.

Or am I mistrusting our wonderful Labour government!!!!!

They have the wonderful (!!!) flair for saying they want to encourage xxx, then doing the very thing that will discourage xxx

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: Folkiedave
Date: 28 Jan 08 - 06:54 PM

I am as suspicious of the government as anyone.

BUT - whilst I imagine there are similar discussions to ours going on amongst amateur drama, music making, painters and decorators groups and so on - let's get in there and worry about that later.

We can always lie if we are taxed. After all if it's good enough for M.P.s then it's good enough for us.

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: GUEST,The black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 07:33 AM

I must say that my interest in this thread was generated by the use of the words "UK" "Arts" and "Important" in one sentance without the word "not".
Must find an anti-cynic pill:).

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: The Admiral
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 07:39 AM

How can we be expected to be taken seriously as an 'Arts' movement if we continue to remain underground? It doesn't appear that the survey will be going 'live' until Feb 1st but I for one will be participating (thanks for the 'heads up' Leads) and encourage everyone else to do so.

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's Apprentice
Date: 30 Jan 08 - 11:20 AM

I personally can't the "arts movement" ever being taken seriously, which is sad but realistic.

Charlotte(checking her handbag for anti-cynical meds)

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: The Admiral
Date: 31 Jan 08 - 09:24 AM

Why is it, everytime I post, the thread dies?

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 07:09 AM

I've just completed the survey and it took no more than 5 minutes, as long as you have the info at hand.

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: Willa
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 09:41 AM

Have passed this on and will continue to do so, despite the understandable scepticism.

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: TheSnail
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 07:15 AM

I'm having trouble fitting the questions to the way we work. For instance they seem to regard the "audience" and "members of the group" as separate categories whereas it's in the nature of folk clubs that they are a continuum. How's anybody else managing?

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: TheSnail
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 02:28 PM

IS anybody else managing?

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: GUEST,Pikey
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 04:57 PM

Just completed it on behalf of our 10 member Mummers Play

Felt great to say that the license law is carp

Subject: RE: UK - Important Arts Survey
From: Surreysinger
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 06:34 PM

Something fishy there ... do you normally refer to the law as being carp ... I'm aware of the law being referred to as "A ass" ... but never a fish!!

Sorry - couldn't resist!!