Sunspots

Mar
23rd

Mon

Recession Support: new site for Charities and Third Sector Orgs

Sectoral news, cost-saving tips, suggestions on fundraising in this bleak climate.

Feb
6th

Fri

Collaborative Working to Generate Income

NCVO published paper exploring models for how voluntary and community organisations can work together, rather than with public or private sectors, to generate income.

Jan
23rd

Fri

Warning about cuts in government arts funding in 2010, from Culture Secretary Andy Burnham

Get those contingency plans ready……

Jan
20th

Tue

AmbITion

a change programme for the arts and cultural sector – helping organisations achieve their 21st century sustainability ambitions through implementing integrated IT and digital developments.

Institute of Fundraising’s Gift Aid Mentoring Forum.

provides a platform for small organisations looking to maximise their Gift Aid income and share best practice.

Dec
18th

Thu

Democratic Culture: Opening Up The Arts for Everyone

This report looks at what ‘culture’ means today, and challenges audiences, critics and cultural professionals to change their attitudes in order to allow greater access and participation.

We can all now make YouTube videos and buy musical instruments, but this upsurge in ‘homemade’ culture should not blind us to the fact that access to publicly funded culture is still very limited, with only 4 per cent of the population enjoying the arts regularly. There is a thin line between defending quality and erecting barricades against outsiders, and it is not always clear where that line is. Sometimes ‘maintaining standards’ just means preserving status.

The report asks what a ‘democratic culture’ in the arts would look like, and finds the current system wanting in terms of legislative frameworks, representation, transparency, equality, and universalism. Culture should be something that we all own and make, not something given, offered or delivered by one section of ‘us’ to another.

Dec
17th

Wed

Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process

a method that nurtures the development of artistic works-in-progress through a four-step, facilitated dialogue between artists, peers, and audiences.

Jun
25th

Wed

Tory Arts Plans

Notably considered plans for shaking up the arts + culture sector if the Tories get back into power, as outlined by Jeremy Hunt, Shadow Culture Secretary. Intriguing particularly from a fundraising perspective, as Hunt seems to pick up on the way things are going - particularly in terms of philanthropy - and indicates he’ll smooth the path to take them further. Any substantial difference between the two main party positions gets harder to discern, and the Americanisation of the UK arts economy continues…..

Jun
13th

Fri

PicLens | Immersive Views Across the Web

free download of the month! immersive browser that massively speeds up image searching and looks gr8

Jun
9th

Mon

2gether08

a festival of ideas and technology for progress

Jun
8th

Sun

Creative Choices

site launched by Creative + Cultural skills offering professional development insights to creatives

Jun
6th

Fri

social startups versus strategic bankruptcy | internet.artizans

Dan McQuillan’s ace blog - the uk web2.0 startup scene’short-sightedness/inanity, yet there’s hope..

Jun
3rd

Tue

Graphic Leftovers

Professional designers and illustrators selling or donating their unused, unsold or unfairly rejected pieces of art online. A growing database of member-generated designs and illustrations. Find a logo, typography - or share some leftovers of your own.

May
16th

Fri

Chinwag

a focal point for digital media practitioners - aggregating expertise, connecting ideas and talent.

May
15th

Thu

plundr

worryingly addictive location-based swashbucklin’ on the GPS seas