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So what happens next
In 2001 [ now 7 years ago ] Cumbria was devistated with Foot and Mouth.
Shortly after, a rake of money was injected into the county to help rebuild / regenerate the ecconomy. Various initiatives were funded some in the arts [ festivals, arts projects, individual artists ]. However being economic regeneration the bottom line was always " how many jobs were being created ". Rural Regeneration Cumbria produced a document to help successful grant applicants to write reports justifying these regeneration requirements. Most artists are artists because they don't think in straight lines and find these [ more scientific tasks ] difficult to the point that they'd rather get on with what they do best and make art instead.
However the money was there with people tasked to spend it so strategies were developed by on the whole straight line thinkers. Since 2001 there seems to have been a whole industry developed in Cumbria for strategic thinking. Rural Regeneration Cumbria came to an end but Cumbria Vision, West Cumbria Renaisance, Culture Cumbria, and probably others I don't know of came into being. Cumbria County Council's cultural strategy was produced. Some of the strategies produced in the early days have been modified or even rewritten in recent years some are probably being written as we speak but nothing seems to be happening.
Some are on a three year plan towards 2010. Some are looking to 2012 and the London Olympics. I know that Culture Cumbria's vision is working towards 2020. Plenty of jam tomorrow then.
This network is full of real people who are working now, today.
The energy [ often frustrated ] coming off these pages is palpable so what are we going to do?.
The hubs are up and running. The communication facility is in place. Most artists are anarchists at heart so why are we all looking to outside bodies for a lead.
Perhaps we shoulld forget about the big picture [ strategy ] and big up all the small projects that are happening on an individual basis.
Maybe what's required is a bit of hub envy. If each hub reported on the projects of it's members we'd all be more aware of what's realy going on in the Cumbrian art world without external funding.
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Comments
already happening
Well put Geoff.
Over in Kirkby Stephen we've had a 2-month programme of video-works projected in the window opposite the Chinese Takeaway by artists from all over the UK. Next up is a series of exhibitions created and curated by artists, again, from all over the UK and coming to our little market town. Fold may be an arts organisation, but we haven't had any funding for over 6 months now, and that doesn't stop us just doing stuff.
On a personal level, I'm showing work in 4 countries this year and creating new work all over the UK. I'm also working with other rural artists all over England and Scotland to develop an artist's networking scheme - all unpaid, but it's great for making contacts outside my home town.
Anyone up for occasional pub sessions in the Upper Eden Valley? No plans, agenda, constitution or ambition - just talking nonsense and sharing stories. Let me know.
What's everyone else up to?
what's everyone else up to ?
Potfest in the Park and the Pens are now both fully booked with over 200 potters - the website now has slide shows for those who have never been [www.potfest.co.uk]. What we want to do next is have something more interactive in place during the week between the two.
One idea would be to have a few tonnes of clay delivered to a site and invite everybody from the Network to come and make something over a few days. They don't have to be potters - it would be more interesting if they weren't. Don't know what would be good to make. Maybe buildings - wattle and dawb, adobe. Maybe something else.
It wouldn't need funding maybe just a small group to co-ordinate.
Could be a Penrith hub project.
Maybe we should do something sooner as a trial run.
Geoff