What a gem: someone has produced a leaflet on a sculpture trail of artistic interventions.
The leaflet details the real life route of a three mile walk featuring 12 highlights such as an abandoned bath in a field, a derelict house and a collapsed wall, which have been attributed to fictional artists.
The abandoned bath is supposedly a piece called Wash Behind the Ears and is described as dealing with the "contradictory concepts of filth and cleanliness, typically by placing a familiar bathroom item in a countryside setting".
See more on the BBC website
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
'Popular Northern museums must stay open'
The Director of the Science Museum has suggested that, if budget cuts continue, he may be faced with the very real possibility of having to close one or more of his museum's outside London as he will be unable to continue with the commitment to allowing free entry. While this is a useful public negotiating tactic to avoid his budget being cut, it has predictably caused a storm of protest. The following letter appeared in the Times of 15 June.
Sir, We are former directors of the national museums currently under threat of possible closure because of budget problems within the parent organisation - the Science Museum Group. we believe there are powerful reasons why the National Media Museum (Bradford), National Railway Museum (York and Shildon) and the Museum of Science and Industry (Manchester) must stay open.
First, all are success stories. They hold collections of genuine international significance, have expertise which is respected worldwide, and are immensely popular - with more than two million visitors a year.
Secondly, they are vital in their host cities, providing cultural, educational and economic benefit across the regions. All three are crucial components of their local and regional economies, attracting tourists and prestige, and supporting jobs.
Third, and most importantly, they are examples of an important egalitarian principle - that the benefits of tax revenue gathered nationally should be spread nationally. Everyone from Islington to Inverness and from Camden to Camborne pays taxes and it is morally and politically right that the benefits of that tax revenue should be spread as far as possible around the country. The BBC has demonstrated this by the excellent move of a large part of its operation from London to Salford, spreading more of its economic impact outside the M25. Surely, at least some of our national museums should operate on the same principle?
Although the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) describes the issue as merely an operational matter for the Science Museum Trustees, the Government cannot shirk its responsibility. Party manifestos spoke of the right of free access to our national heritage but it is an empty right if the museum concerned has closed. To insist on further deep budget cuts and to maintain a policy of free entry, even though free entry might be a good idea in principle, feels like an untenable position.
Moreover, the Secretary of State has responsibility for tourism. What organisation charged with enhancing our national income from tourists can regard the closure of one of the North of England's greater visitors attractions as a sensible way out of recession?
We urge the trustees of the Science Museum Group and DCMS to consider the track record and value of museums in the North of England and to ensure that a solution is found to enable them all to stay open.
Signed by Colin Ford, Patrick Greene, Colin Philpott, Andrew Scott
But for some lingering doubt about the level of tax paid by the residents of Camborne, well said!
Sir, We are former directors of the national museums currently under threat of possible closure because of budget problems within the parent organisation - the Science Museum Group. we believe there are powerful reasons why the National Media Museum (Bradford), National Railway Museum (York and Shildon) and the Museum of Science and Industry (Manchester) must stay open.
First, all are success stories. They hold collections of genuine international significance, have expertise which is respected worldwide, and are immensely popular - with more than two million visitors a year.
Secondly, they are vital in their host cities, providing cultural, educational and economic benefit across the regions. All three are crucial components of their local and regional economies, attracting tourists and prestige, and supporting jobs.
Third, and most importantly, they are examples of an important egalitarian principle - that the benefits of tax revenue gathered nationally should be spread nationally. Everyone from Islington to Inverness and from Camden to Camborne pays taxes and it is morally and politically right that the benefits of that tax revenue should be spread as far as possible around the country. The BBC has demonstrated this by the excellent move of a large part of its operation from London to Salford, spreading more of its economic impact outside the M25. Surely, at least some of our national museums should operate on the same principle?
Although the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) describes the issue as merely an operational matter for the Science Museum Trustees, the Government cannot shirk its responsibility. Party manifestos spoke of the right of free access to our national heritage but it is an empty right if the museum concerned has closed. To insist on further deep budget cuts and to maintain a policy of free entry, even though free entry might be a good idea in principle, feels like an untenable position.
Moreover, the Secretary of State has responsibility for tourism. What organisation charged with enhancing our national income from tourists can regard the closure of one of the North of England's greater visitors attractions as a sensible way out of recession?
We urge the trustees of the Science Museum Group and DCMS to consider the track record and value of museums in the North of England and to ensure that a solution is found to enable them all to stay open.
Signed by Colin Ford, Patrick Greene, Colin Philpott, Andrew Scott
But for some lingering doubt about the level of tax paid by the residents of Camborne, well said!
Saying it as it is
Just occasionally we trip over someone saying just what we are feeling. This time it was Selina Scott who launched into the Heritage Lottery Fund at a reception in Yorkshire: What the Dickens! Selina Scott in novel row.
It was good to see such an articulate speaker highlighting the insulting and unhelpful adult-child mindset at the core of that organisation. Did anyone consider the heritage instead of whether the bid had been 'impressive' or not?
Oh to have been a fly on the wall.
PS: we have been a bit quiet recently: not through lack of ideas, simply lack of time. More follows soon.
Friday, 10 May 2013
Jargon
Saturday, 4 May 2013
Cause and effect
On the day after the government got a shock at the local elections, it is a pleasure to hear Ministers talking about 'listening more'. One of them went straight on to say '... and telling people what good things the government is doing ...' That is just what you want from someone who is really listening.
But the real joy is of course Mr Gove's antics. His Department is apparently in the doghouse for not responding swiftly enough to MP's questions. One wonders if it bothers to answer any at all since they seem to take no notice of anything anyone else says.
He has also had the results of a survey of Head Teachers and Teachers looking at GCSEs. 80 percent of heads said that they had less confidence in GCSE than a year ago, largely because of the marking fiasco when grade boundaries were moved (see previous posts).
The Department for Education draws the conclusion that this bolsters the need for reform of the exam along the lines of Mr Gove's non-modular proposals.
Er ... no. It is not the modular form of exam that caused the problem, it was the movement of grade boundaries and a useless marking system. You can change the structure however you like but if the marking system is rubbish then you you will get rubbish results.
Who worries what research actually says? It naturally concludes that I am on the right track. So much for a listening government.
But the real joy is of course Mr Gove's antics. His Department is apparently in the doghouse for not responding swiftly enough to MP's questions. One wonders if it bothers to answer any at all since they seem to take no notice of anything anyone else says.
He has also had the results of a survey of Head Teachers and Teachers looking at GCSEs. 80 percent of heads said that they had less confidence in GCSE than a year ago, largely because of the marking fiasco when grade boundaries were moved (see previous posts).
The Department for Education draws the conclusion that this bolsters the need for reform of the exam along the lines of Mr Gove's non-modular proposals.
Er ... no. It is not the modular form of exam that caused the problem, it was the movement of grade boundaries and a useless marking system. You can change the structure however you like but if the marking system is rubbish then you you will get rubbish results.
Who worries what research actually says? It naturally concludes that I am on the right track. So much for a listening government.
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Guerilla writing
The attached recently came through our e-letter box:
Not a formal training day but if you can spare an hour or so to get down to XXX where YYY will be on hand to discuss the hugely successful community engagement programme undertaken at the gallery over the last five years. Guerilla training as well as guerilla writing!
WHO MIGHT YOU MEET?
Five Go Guerilla at the XXX … 5 writers will be in residence at the XXX for just one day of guerilla writing activity.
They’ll be writing about the art and the Romans, meeting the public, versifying in the amphitheatre and generally celebrating 5 years of community creative engagement that has taken place at XXX.
The event marks the end of two important youth projects, Colouring the Canvas and ReHang:Reachout, which have both provided opportunities for members of ReHang, XXX's young curators group, to build skills and provide peer group activity for other young people.
It also signals the promise of more to come…
Since 2008, XXX has seen an exciting programme of youth and community engagement that has gone from strength to strength. From a programme of youth film making and conferences, the gallery’s work with young people and community group has developed to include the launch of ReHang (gallery youth panel), Dr Who screening with writer Q&A, sport events and live gladiatorial combat.
There are music, theatre and poetry performances, family days, photography and youth artfilm installations, political debates, swing dance and glamour evenings, and, recently, the launch of the Who Might You Meet? blog and an ever-growing and successful late night events programme.
The XX Art Gallery is fast becoming one of the most innovative galleries in the city in terms of seeking to engage people of all ages and abilities through a wide range of creative interaction and public events.
So, if you want to come down to the gallery to partake of a bit of guerilla writing activity, and be part of all of this good stuff by getting your writing posted to the youth and community arts blog, drop by on ... find the 5 writers in the gallery, and join them.
And to cap it all, there will be an informal sharing of the work of the 5 writers, followed by a Q&A somewhere in the gallery…
The CVs of the five writers are also illuminating:
One is described as a spoken word artist, photography enthusiast, poet, performer, writer and educator and co-curator of the very popular spoken word showcase
Another is said to hail from a land between spoken word, hip-hop, and theatre. With an eye for the often overlooked in the everyday, his work is entertaining and accessible but remains rooted in a love of the craft of writing.
Another is a poet and artist who works in video and visible verse, spoken word, hip hop and live art. Her work is street, visual, emotive and rhythmical. She is a published poet, a SlamBASSADOR UK Champion and a member of various writing and performance collectives.
No one could accuse the writer of over-statement. Suddenly we feel very old. To think that a poet might not also be a performer.
Not a formal training day but if you can spare an hour or so to get down to XXX where YYY will be on hand to discuss the hugely successful community engagement programme undertaken at the gallery over the last five years. Guerilla training as well as guerilla writing!
WHO MIGHT YOU MEET?
Five Go Guerilla at the XXX … 5 writers will be in residence at the XXX for just one day of guerilla writing activity.
They’ll be writing about the art and the Romans, meeting the public, versifying in the amphitheatre and generally celebrating 5 years of community creative engagement that has taken place at XXX.
The event marks the end of two important youth projects, Colouring the Canvas and ReHang:Reachout, which have both provided opportunities for members of ReHang, XXX's young curators group, to build skills and provide peer group activity for other young people.
It also signals the promise of more to come…
Since 2008, XXX has seen an exciting programme of youth and community engagement that has gone from strength to strength. From a programme of youth film making and conferences, the gallery’s work with young people and community group has developed to include the launch of ReHang (gallery youth panel), Dr Who screening with writer Q&A, sport events and live gladiatorial combat.
There are music, theatre and poetry performances, family days, photography and youth artfilm installations, political debates, swing dance and glamour evenings, and, recently, the launch of the Who Might You Meet? blog and an ever-growing and successful late night events programme.
The XX Art Gallery is fast becoming one of the most innovative galleries in the city in terms of seeking to engage people of all ages and abilities through a wide range of creative interaction and public events.
So, if you want to come down to the gallery to partake of a bit of guerilla writing activity, and be part of all of this good stuff by getting your writing posted to the youth and community arts blog, drop by on ... find the 5 writers in the gallery, and join them.
And to cap it all, there will be an informal sharing of the work of the 5 writers, followed by a Q&A somewhere in the gallery…
The CVs of the five writers are also illuminating:
One is described as a spoken word artist, photography enthusiast, poet, performer, writer and educator and co-curator of the very popular spoken word showcase
Another is said to hail from a land between spoken word, hip-hop, and theatre. With an eye for the often overlooked in the everyday, his work is entertaining and accessible but remains rooted in a love of the craft of writing.
Another is a poet and artist who works in video and visible verse, spoken word, hip hop and live art. Her work is street, visual, emotive and rhythmical. She is a published poet, a SlamBASSADOR UK Champion and a member of various writing and performance collectives.
No one could accuse the writer of over-statement. Suddenly we feel very old. To think that a poet might not also be a performer.
Monday, 15 April 2013
Counting what counts II
... a little PS to our last posting is inspired by a recent ten page questionnaire from Arts Council England - there are 24 pages of notes on how to fill it in.
This questions about the ethnicity of any permanent or freelance staff split by 'specialist staff', 'managers' and 'others'; and they want their ages too.
This questions about the ethnicity of any permanent or freelance staff split by 'specialist staff', 'managers' and 'others'; and they want their ages too.
It then asks us for a whole range of turnover figures which could be picked up from our published accounts if they bothered to read them. But what is this we see ... ah yes, they want those figures presented in a different way.
It might have been good if they had warned us in advance that they might want to know this. We don't collect the ages of freelance staff and such things.
Among a whole range of questions which are irrelevant for a museum -such 'how much of your work is 'touring activity' and 'attendance at film screening days' - is a real gem: 'Please indicate the hours worked by volunteers at your organisation in the last financial year. Round your answer up to the nearest hour.'
It is the last bit we really love. Anyone who has worked with volunteers knows that they do not keep regular hours and, although we do ask them to sign in and sign out, we do not waste our time totaling the hours actually worked 'to the nearest hour'. We know how many shifts they work; will that do?
Looked at another way, rounding up the time to the nearest hour gives an accuracy of about 0.005% or better than one part in 20,000. No, we have not made a mistake. What on earth are they thinking of, asking for that level of accuracy? What are they going to do with the answer? Why have they not asked how many hours our staff work which might at least have provided a useful comparison or ratio.
It is the same mindset that tells us that visitor numbers are 5.14% up. So nice to know that the figure is accurate to one left leg.
It is the same mindset that tells us that visitor numbers are 5.14% up. So nice to know that the figure is accurate to one left leg.
The questionnaire could only have been put together by someone with no concept of basic statistics or mathematics, or who has ever been involved in the real world.
It is that time of year and another questionnaire is waiting in the wings ... oh joy!
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