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BP gives cash to the Arts

Alan — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:04:18 +0000

Last year BP was responsible for the worst oil spill in the history of the United States and in order to help repair its corporate image the company has pledged to give £10 million to cultural institutions over the next half decade. The company is backing programmes by Tate Britain, the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Opera House.

Head of the marketing unit at BP is Iain Conn who has said, “We always looking for ways to reach out into the community and not just with our energy products. We want to make a meaningful contribution to society and this pledge is just a small part of that.”

The culture minister has welcomed the contribution saying, “BP has been a business leader for a very long time and it is fantastic to see them getting involved with the support of the arts.” Government funding for arts was cut significantly earlier in the year and this contribution is going to help ease some of the fallout in the area.

Many protests against BP have been based around the Tate Britain and back in April to mark the one-year anniversary of the spill, a naked young man had black oil poured over him as he lay on the floor of the art gallery. BP has never publicly announced how much they donate to culture in the UK every year but it is estimated to be more than £1 million. The company have long been a supporter of the Royal Opera House and have been involved in helping to pay for exhibitions at the Tate Britain for a long time. The National portrait Gallery has also received money from BP.

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The Becks Green Box project video

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:37:52 +0000

The Becks Green Box project was launched in 2011; this global fund was created to give the help and support needed by independent talent in the worlds of music, design, fashion and art. This fund is intended to inspire them, celebrate their talents and very importantly, financially support them as they go down the long road to hopefully find great success in their chosen field.

Becks, over the next three years and through the Green Box project are hoping to showcase and fund 1000 projects from individuals who show that they have both a creative and unique vision. The resulting pieces of artistry will be there on display in augmented reality Green Boxes which will be located across the globe, and also permanently on display in the projects virtual gallery.

To kick off this great project, Becks are releasing 30 Green boxes in the UK, Italy and the US which will each contain exclusive virtual pieces by famed artists. To showcase the Green Box project, a great new video has been released to tell you more about the project and how it works.

It starts with a brief synopsis of what the project is all about and also showcases the Green Box project app that you can download. You see two hands holding a rectangle shaped frame and through that we are taken on a virtual tour of places such as New York and Milan to show the global appeal of this project. It is all shot very artistically and in a very creative manner to emphasises what is at the heart of the Green Box project.

By logging onto the Becks website you can connect with Facebook as well as getting the full information you need to submit your ideas if you want to be one of the lucky ones to see their dreams turned into reality thanks to the Becks Green Box project.

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Bjork one of the main attractions at the Manchester International Festival

admin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:10:29 +0000

This year’s Manchester International Festival boasts an impressive array of musical, theatrical and cultural events. The festival began on the 30th of June and continues through July 17th. In addition to Björk, the festival’s musical line-up includes Snoop Dogg, WU LYF, True Faith, Rickie Lee Jones and Sinéad O’Connor.

Theatrical events include a Dr. Who themed performance by the award-winning theatre company Punchdrunk, a performance of Wagner’s Die Walküre, the world premiere of the stage play The Life of Marina Abramović featuring Marina Abramović and Willem Dafoe and the premiere of Damon Albarn and Rufus Norris’ highly anticipated opera Dr Dee.

Since 2007, the biannual Manchester International Festival has been one of Britain’s premiere international cultural festivals. This year promises to be a continuation of the MIF’s history of providing a diverse and accomplished array of cultural events across many mediums. In addition to the main festival, a fringe festival known as “Not Part of Festival” provides a complement of musical and theatrical performances and visual arts exhibits.

Björk is one of the festival’s most anticipated performers. Her singles “It’s Oh So Quiet,” “Hyperballad,” and “Army of Me” all made the UK Top 10 charts. She has been nominated for 13 Grammys, one Academy Award and two Golden Globes. In 2000, she took home the award for Best Actress from the Cannes Film Festival for her lead performance in Dancer in the Dark. Björk will be at MIF for three weeks and will perform six shows at Campfield Market Hall, her first performances in the UK in over three years. The show is designed to introduce Biophilia, a multimedia venture that includes music, installations, live shows and apps.

The show is an exploration of sound’s place within the natural world. In addition to introducing her newest material, Björk’s performances will also include songs from her previous albums and will incorporate collaborations with a variety of musical guests, including an all-female Icelandic choir.

In addition to playing host to the MIF, Manchester boasts a lively independent music scene, a vibrant nightlife and several renowned museums and performing arts venues. Due to the incredible popularity of the International Festival it is wise to book accommodations at hotels in Manchester in advance.

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FfotoAber: New Aberystwyth Photography Festival for October 2011

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:36:57 +0000

Arrangements for a new festival in mid Wales are well underway. During October and November 2011 FfotoAber will be celebrating the art of photography through a series of exhibitions and events in Aberystwyth.

FfotoAber is the first festival of its kind for Aberystwyth, if not Wales, and is arranged by residents of the town for residents of the town, the local area and visitors from all parts of Wales.

Catrin M S Davies, one of the festival coordinators explains: “During the past few months, a group of local business people, photographers and volunteers have been meeting on a regular basis to arrange an event which celebrates photography here in Aberystwyth. All members of the local community are invited to participate in the range of events and exhibitions currently being organised. This annual festival will start during October half term and conclude with the Lens festival at the National Library of Wales on the 18-19 November. We hope that it will provide a focus for the town during the autumn and, in time, bring significant economic, cultural and community benefits to the area.”

FfotoAber will be an opportunity to view photographs in familiar and unfamiliar locations, in galleries, cafés and on the street, whilst also providing plenty of opportunities to participate in entertaining workshops with expert photographers.

Deian Creunant, a member of the coordinating team said: “Photography is an extremely accessible art form and we’re hoping that everyone will want to participate. We’re encouraging professional photographers, amateurs and those who simply fancy having a go at taking photos to be part of the festival. Whether you own a top of the range camera or have a camera on your phone, all contributions to the festival will be encouraged and celebrated through the various channels. Whilst arrangements for the festival diary are being finalised, a photography competition for primary and secondary school pupils, arranged in collaboration with the Rotary and the Cambrian News, is currently underway and the winning images will be exhibited during the festival at Canolfan Arad Goch.”

Individuals and organisations wishing to be part of this new venture are encouraged to keep an eye on the FfotoAber website at www.ffotoaber.com, follow on Twitter (twitter.com#ffotoaber) or join the FfotoAber Facebook page.

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Covent Garden’s cultural history

Alan — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:28:56 +0000

Colloquially know to us as Covent Garden, it is the site of the home of The Royal Opera, the Royal Orchestra and the Royal Ballet. They are all housed in the performing arts centre that is the third building to have stood on this site in central London. The district that surrounds the area hosts a large number of upscale shops in the setting of an open air market. The first performance on this site was a ballet that was performed in 1734.

G.F. Handel was the composer and he produced the entire season of oratorios and operas the following year. In 1808 the first structure was destroyed by fire and in 1857 another conflagration leveled its successor. The building that stands today has a façade, foyer and auditorium from the construction of 1858 but all the rest was remodeled in the 1990s.

Among the many operas that premiered here in the Royal Opera House in the first years of Handel being music director included Atalanta, Alcina, and Ariodante plus is own oratorio Messiah.

Besides opera the house served as a venue for theatrical dramas, ballet, comedy acts and pantomimes. Throughout much of the 1800s composers and others from Europe such as Verdi, Rossini and Puccini would come to see London and oversee the productions being performed for the first time in Britain.

Not until 1892 did the name Royal Opera House appear on the building. There were summer and winter seasons for operas with the theatre empty during the dark months. The British government used the main auditorium during much of WWI to store furniture and in the Second World War it was used as a dance hall.

Following the end of the Second World War the opera house was restored to its original purpose. The first post war production was Sleeping Beauty in 1946 that starred Margot Fonteyn. The next year was the first resident company presented their first ever production of Carmen.

The National Lottery helped give the building a much needed face lift in the late 1990s and nearly ₤60 million of the total ₤178m used for the face lift came from the National Lottery. The rest of the funds were received through private individuals, corporate donations and grants from the government. Added in the reconstruction were modern rehearsal facilities, a complete makeover of the public area and a second auditorium to provide an intimate setting for smaller productions.

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Wembley to Soweto

Alan — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:11:06 +0000

Wembley to Soweto

An extraordinary photographic journey is being exhibited on the South Bank at the gallery@oxo. Wembley to Soweto consists of over 60 photographs that have been taken by the disadvantaged teenagers from the townships in Johannesburg. These pictures not only capture the spirit of their life in South Africa, but also show the diversity of society and culture in this country.

There are pictures showing their home surroundings, celebrations in their Baptist church, the street markets of Johannesburg and the opening ceremony of the World Cup, as well a many other poignant images. The project dates back to 1988 and there is a shot by John Cole of the ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ concert that was held at Wembley Stadium. This image actually hangs in the home of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg.

Twenty one years later, and inspired by his image, John Cole has joined forces with David Westhead from Wilton Pictures to set up a course to teach 8 teenagers from the Umuzi Photo club in Soweto the fundamentals of great Photography. The project is backed by Kweku Mandela, Nelson’s grandson.

Now a second iconic stadium image, this time of the 2010 South African World Cup kick-off Concert, at a packed Orlando Stadium in Soweto, shot by Wembley to Soweto students, has taken its proud place next to John Cole’s image on Nelson Mandela’s wall.

Involvement with the project has helped empower the young people to fulfill their hopes and dreams. Participants have been awarded full scholarships and bursaries to photographic colleges, had work published in magazines including Marie-Claire, have completed shoots for Vodacom and the South African Parliament and had images exhibited in top galleries in New York, Antwerp and Johannesburg.

“I really wish and hope that Wembley to Soweto can be a big tree that grows a lot of branches to let the world know about photography, and how what we experience in our everyday life can be interpreted through pictures” Tshepang Masemola, 16.

“I feel hugely privileged to have worked with these very talented young people and without a doubt this has been one of the most rewarding, satisfying and absolutely fun projects that I have ever worked on” says John Cole.

Kweku Mandela says: “There’s no better way to communicate across cultures than with images which take your breath away. One photo can change a life – these kids are an example of that.”

7-24 July 2011, 11am-6pm daily
gallery@oxo, Oxo Tower Wharf,
Bargehouse Street, London, SE1 9PH

FREE admission
Nearest train/tube: Southwark, Waterloo

Information line: 020 7021 1686

www.wiltonpictures.com

www.coinstreet.org

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Tatton Old Hall becomes arts venue for the summer

Alan — Sat, 28 May 2011 15:32:31 +0000

Tatton Old Hall, the Cheshire stately home plays host this year to four productions with Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirate’s of the Penzance and Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox brought to the stage by Illyria the international touring company.

Mucho Ado About Nothing, the Shakespearean comedy will be presented by Theatre Set Up in the Great Hall while an adaptation of Cranford, an Elizabeth Gaskell novel will be put on by Chapterhouse Theatre Company. Mick Ricketts, Old Hall steward said they are looking forward towards the fantastic productions at the Old Hall this summer.

This historical site is a great setting for comic capers and high culture. Much Ado is already sold out so we suggest booking as soon as possible. Visitors can bring their own low back chairs and blankets for picnics for the open air performances and of course dress warmly, whatever the weather the performances will go on, safety of all permitting.

David Wood, children’s playwright, has adapted his production of Fantastic Mr. Fox for the stage telling the tale of the animal whose aim is to feed his family. He then finds himself against the likes of Bean, Bunce and Boggis the most ruthless and cruellest of all farmers who want to end his thievery.

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Manchester Roadshow for peforming arts academy educators

admin — Fri, 13 May 2011 10:01:17 +0000

Combining innovation, inspiration and technology, the Academy Roadshow 2011 brings you an unforgettable showcase of the latest management solution for performing arts educators from the UK’s leading supplier.

What’s on at the event:

If you are involved in the management and administration of a performing arts academy then you will benefit from a visit to the roadshow. The session will provide managers with an overview of the Academy software solution and you will be able put your questions to the experts, update your product knowledge and gain practical advice. Complementary refreshments and a delegate bag will be provided.

Manchester MacDonald Hotel – 17th & 18th June 2011

The two events will be hosted to launch the Manchester Academy:

· Friday 17th June, 2pm—4pm

· Saturday 18th June, 10am—12pm

To book a free place:

Places are limited and will be secured on a first come first served basis. Make sure you book early to avoid disappointment. Either email: roadshow@paritor.co.uk or call one of the team on 01395 445092.

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MANCHESTER LAUNCHES NEW CREATIVE ARTS MAGAZINE

Alan — Tue, 03 May 2011 00:11:56 +0000

Capitalizing on their success in Nottingham, Freeq the magazine has decided to expand their publication to Manchester to in an effort to capture the attention of the city’s notorious creative industry.

Freeq first launched in Nottingham in 2008 as a magazine that highlighted the creative arts, music, and social conscience and since then has worked alongside some of the largest artists and charity organizations.

While most paid for magazines are watching their subscriptions dwindle high quality free magazines are reaching high levels of success due to their avid readers and eager sponsors. Freeq is known for its high design and copy styles and its distinctive cover art which features work from illustrators and artists handpicked by the Art Director for the magazine, Mellisa Harrison.
World famous doodler and illustrator Jon Burgerman has twice contributed cover artwork to the magazine as a sign of his support and the first ever photo cover was provided by renowned rock photographer Jill Furmanovsky after meeting Editor Sam Borrett at Glastonbury in 2009.

On the magazine’s most significant advancement since launching Sam Borrett said: “We know Manchester and the surrounding area is a hotbed for creative individuals all contributing to a cottage industry that benefits from high quality media exposure such as that we and other outlets can provide. There is often no outlet for up and coming talent and we continue to spotlight relatively unknown artists alongside coverage of more established creatives and musicians.

“Our unique social conscience aspect of the magazine brings important current affairs onto the radar of people who wouldn’t necessarily hear about these issues through the mainstream media. We’ve helped educate people about ethical fashion, climate change, the work of Christian Aid and Oxfam among others.”

Freeq magazine will be working with Arts Council North West to promote their funded projects and is looking for other suitable partners for sponsorship and cross-promotion in an effort to further develop Manchester’s creative infrastructure.

For any advertising, contribution or editorial queries please email press@freeqmagazine.com or visit www.freeqmagazine.com

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Arts black funding day arrives

Alan — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 02:20:04 +0000

The news of funding levels from Arts Council England (ACE) is being released all up and down the country making it a day of radically mixed fortunes. There are a total of over 630 organizations that applied for funding were disappointed as news entered email in boxes early this morning and of those 206 were formerly funded regularly from ACE.

Chief Executive of the organization, Alan Davey mentioned agonizing and painful outcomes, that the have not been able to fund good organizations emphasizing that there had been a transparent process and a clear intellectual framework.

First time organization to be brought in to ACE portfolio number 110 and some of those included the Manchester International Festival, Birmingham’s live art Fierce festival and HighTide Festival Theatre.

As a whole ACE passed on a 15% cut in arts even though they received an almost 30% cut in grant-in-aid from the government. Places like Derby Theatre and Exeter Northcott Theatre lost their entire funding as well as Arts and Business which is in the business to help arts organizations to raise funds. Others disappointed with the announcement include Riverside Studios and Shared Experience theatre company both in London.

The National Theatre, the Royal Opera House and the Royal Shakespeare Company large national organizations, all took real cuts of some 15% over the next period of 2012 – 2015. Chief Executive of Royal Opera House, Tony Hall says it fair the larger take the cut can in order to allow those smaller to survive and produce great things.

Visual arts took cuts including a heavy 40% cut by the Institute if Contemporary Arts. Galleries were positive for the most part with the announcements like South London gallery that received over a 100% increase as well as three new galleries that received anywhere from 7% increased to 17%.

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