2009-2011

‘do not wait to strike till the iron is hot,

but make it hot by striking’

W. B.Yeats

supporting arts and culture in down district

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.    CHAIRPERSON’S INTRODUCTION

2.    BACKGROUND TO FORUM AND ACTION PLAN

3.    MISSION AND GOALS

4.    KEY ACTIONS AGAINST GOALS

5.    MANAGEMENT AND REVIEW OF ACTION PLAN

1.                  Chairman’s Introduction

A very warm welcome to Down Arts Forum.

We are an independent voluntary group of people who live and work in Down District and who care passionately about the arts and culture. First established in January 2002 under the auspices of Down District Council and supported by the Council’s dedicated Arts Service, Down Arts Forum acts as an advocate for the best arts and cultural provision possible within the Down District Council area.

We strive to ensure that the arts and culture in Down District are valued as an important social, cultural and economic force.  We do this through advocacy, networking, PR and audience development. Our aim is to generate and sustain an awareness and appreciation, at all levels, of the contribution that arts and culture can make to the well being of individuals, the attraction of the area and its economic welfare and vibrancy.  In this we see that our efforts are supportive of those of the Down District Council, and many others aiming to improve the quality of life for the inhabitants of, and visitors to, the Down District area.

Issues currently being highlighted by the Down Arts Forum Committee include:

•      raising the profile of the wide ranging contribution made to the cultural life of Down District by the work of the Down Arts Centre, particularly in the light of the new council boundaries which come into operation in 2011, through lobbying policy/decision makers.

•       raising awareness of the development of Downpatrick’s Cultural Quarter through ‘Art on the Railings’

•       recruiting new members to the Down Arts Forum

•      networking at Down Arts Centre Events

•      creating a more visible presence of the work of the Arts Forum in the Down Arts Centre

•       lobbying SERC to share the arts resources of their new building in Downpatrick for the benefit of the community in Down District

We welcome the views of all and especially our members.  Those views are our lifeline. They not only influence our lobbying, but also our strategic planning, and we encourage you to continue to tell us what you think.  This is particularly important in the present economic situation where private and public sector funds are under severe pressure and where arts and culture activities, at little cost, can contribute so much to feelings of well being at the individual and community levels.

We very much hope that you continue to attend and participate in Members’ Events to exchange views, build useful and meaningful networking opportunities, as well as enhancing arts and culture provision in this beautiful part of Northern Ireland.

Membership of the Down Arts Forum is open to everyone and we encourage you to join so that you can contribute to the Forum’s aims and objectives, whilst enjoying yourself at the same time!

Jenny Long

Chair, Down Arts Forum 2008/09

2.                  BACKGROUND

2.1       Down Arts Forum

• Down Arts Forum was first established in January 2002 under the auspices of Down District Council Arts Service. 
• In February 2003, it launched a new on-line directory of cultural organizations, groups and practitioners, called ‘the art of down’. 

• In December 2003, the Forum began to recruit members who could vote at the AGM and become part of a growing network of people with the ability to influence key decision-makers and funders on arts and cultural policies and provision. 
• In September 2004, the committee also worked with a consultant to create a 2 year action plan for the Forum, ensuring that the voluntary commitments of the committee and its members become more focused and effective.

Achievements following the 2005/2006 Action Plan.

Young Bands

• The Down Arts Forum bands sub-committee traveled to the Nerve Centre, to investigate the systems in place and ways of translating these to Downpatrick.
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Public Art

• The committee successfully lobbied East Down Institute of Further and Higher Education, Down District Council and the Downe Hospital for public art provision.

Individual Artist

• The Forum was successful in lobbying Down District Council for support for the Individual Artist - £2000.00 was allocated.

Web-site/communication

• Down Arts Forum launched a new web-site at the AGM in February 2006 to facilitate membership application and a Forum discussion area.  
• Down Arts Forum have a new logo, suite of stationary and leaflet to recruit new members.
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Networking

• Down Arts Forum committee members attend performances and exhibition openings to recruit new members.  

Audience Development

• Down Arts Forum initiated the young audience scheme with Arts Service in 2005 to encourage young people to attend theatre.
• In conjunction with Accessible Community Transport the forum launched a free theatre bus from Newcastle and Ballynahinch.

Achievements following the 2007/2009 Action Plan.

Downpatrick Cultural Quarter

Two Public meetings were convened by the Down Arts Forum Committee to give the public and interested parties a platform to express their views regarding the plans of Down District Council to develop a Cultural Quarter. Following the first meeting, key conclusions from the meeting were communicated to the Down District Council and the Committee’s interest in the project was conveyed. At the second public meeting, Dave Lewis, Managing Consultant, Haley Sharpe Consultants, gave an interim presentation of the proposals. Queries were raised by both members of the public and the Down Arts Forum Committee as to the extent of the proposals and the inclusion of conservation area assets, rather than concentrating on cultural aspects. Responses from the meeting were duly conveyed by the Committee to DDC.

Review of Constitution

The Committee felt that the Down Arts Forum Constitution required modification and simplification. To that end, advice was sought from Voluntary Arts Ireland. Chief Officer, Brenda Kent appointed Arts Learning Links Officer, Phil Nicholls to assist DAF in the completion of the revised Constitution. Key changes include: revised retirement and election provisions and the addition of limited powers to raise funds, subject to the election of a Treasurer as and when required.

Art is Good for Your Health

Down Arts Forum Committee organized and hosted a showcase of exhibits and presentations on Sunday 27^th April 2008 in Down Arts Centre to promote and highlight the benefits of art for everyone’s health and well-being. The Keynote Speaker was Lorna Hastings, Director of Artscare, who gave a talk on how Artscare facilitates, promotes and inspires the use of art in health and social care settings.

Legends of Down

The Down Arts Forum Committee highlighted the work of Ultach, an independent charitable trust set up to promote the Irish Language throughout the community in Northern Ireland. The research of Aodan MacPoilin was of particular interest as he collated and translated many of the Irish Legends from our local area of Down District. Several meetings were held to which members of Down Arts Forum and guests were invited to hear more about this project and the Legends of Down was the theme of the Down Arts Forum AGM in September 2008.

2.2       Review and Action Plan

The new committee has initiated a review of the Forum’s priorities, seeking to create a stronger identity for the group, and an effective campaign to recruit an extensive membership base.  The action plan draws strongly on key strategic objectives of other plans and strategies that impact on the area, including the district’s local Down 2010 strategy.  The committee see the action plan more as a ‘starting point’, and through ongoing consultation with members and member groups, the priorities and needs of the action plan will shift and develop as new gaps in existing arts and cultural provision are identified. The committee considers that success in developing existing interest in, and provision of, arts and cultural activities will come from increased awareness of their social and economic benefits.

3.         MISSION AND GOALS

GOAL 1: Advocacy

To act as an advocate for local arts and cultural development for the community and visitors of Down District, through the lobbying of policy/decision-makers and funders. 

GOAL 2: Networking

To work towards improved communication between all of the existing arts and cultural partners in the district, facilitating the sharing of information and views through maintaining and developing links with other bodies with similar arts and cultural goals.

GOAL 3: PR

To create greater levels of awareness with regard to existing arts and cultural provision and also the important supportive role and activities of Down Arts Forum.

GOAL 4: Audience Development

To engage in activities that support the growth of audiences and accessibility for the arts in Down District.

4          KEY ACTIONS AGAINST GOALS

KEY ACTIONS:

1. To raise awareness of the Cultural Quarter in Downpatrick in conjunction with other service providers and stakeholders, by participating in the public consultation and creating an arena for the arts in Downpatrick through ‘Art on the Railings’, displaying artwork in public areas and other means as they arise.

2. Present to the local Business Forum for murals on the shutters of local shops.

3. Lobby South Eastern Regional College to share its arts resources.

4. Continue to lobby for public art, in particular at local institutions where a new build or refurbishment funding has been allocated and can incorporate a percentage for arts scheme.

5.      Lobby policy/decision makers to raise the profile of the contribution made to the cultural life of Down District by the work of the Down Arts Centre, particularly in the light of the new council boundaries which come into operation in 2011.

KEY ACTIONS:

1.      Write/contact all of the existing art of down registrations to up-date their details, and invite them to become a member of Down Arts Forum.

2.      Update the Down Arts Forum website as a static site.

3.      Organize a campaign to recruit new members through regular press releases and attending arts centre activities to actively recruit new members.

4.      Undertake surveys on local needs and aspirations regarding arts and                                                                 cultural provision through questionnaires and lobbying local papers.

5.      Inform the Arts Centre staff of any developments associated with the Forum. Create a visible presence in the Arts Centre.

1. Build relationships with other public and private groups, who are working towards the improved social and economic well being of the people and the area.

2. Communicate with existing members and update database through the Ultimate Guide, regular mailings and networking at events.

3. Use key local events to promote the Forum and recruit new members.

4. Produce an annual report for the Down Arts Forum to be presented at the AGM.

5. Produce at least 3 press releases per year on the work and events of the Down Arts Forum.

6. Organize at least one event for members annually.

1. To ensure all Forum members are regularly notified of arts and cultural events in the area through Down Arts Centre’s free mail service and other brochures.

2. Organize a number of the Down Arts Forum Committee meetings in towns throughout the district, using this as an opportunity to showcase the artistic and cultural resources of the area.

3. Work closely with Down Community Arts to bring community groups to the Arts Centre.

4. Seek to identify groups with similar arts and cultural goals in order to share information and widen participation and accessibility of arts and cultural activities.

5.         Review of the Action Plan

The Action Plan will be managed on behalf of the Forum by the Management Committee and will be a constant feature of monthly agendas. For the next annual report of the Forum, there will be a section dedicated to progress in the development of the Action Plan.  The Forum will communicate regularly with members with regards to progress on delivering actions within the plan by using the web-site and Ultimate Guide.

A meeting for all members will be convened in September 2010 to review the priorities of the Action Plan and look at any new arts and cultural needs that have emerged in the intervening period.

Appendix 1

Down Arts Forum Mission Statement chimes with the aims of others whose appreciation of the benefits of arts and cultural activities is documented in their public statements:-

• The Northern Ireland Arts Council  - 2007-2012 Strategy

Mission: ‘To place the arts at the heart of our social, economic and creative life.’

In its 5 year strategy the Arts Council states that, ‘the arts give people confidence and skills which contribute to their employment. They attract investment, boost the country’s profile, give the community a greater identity and attract visitors from elsewhere.’

•        The Down District Council Corporate Plan 2006 -2009

The DCC includes as its mission: ‘Improving the quality of life for all of our people.’ (In its Economic Development Strategy for 2001 – 2006), the District Council noted: ‘The importance of the Arts in developing the economy of this District is more pronounced than virtually anywhere else in the North.’ 

In addition, whilst referring to ‘recreation’ in its Draft Recreation Strategy to 2018, the Council includes a description of recreation, which could readily be read across to arts and culture - as these activities, in so many instances, are recreational activities: ‘Recreation is a keystone to improving the quality of life for all our people through community empowerment, provision of facilities and life-long education, resulting in better health, social inclusion and safer communities.’