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The Swindon arts scene is set for major development according to a new document launched this week by Swindon Borough Council.
Called Arts At The Centre, it's the result of an 18 month in-depth review by the local authority in consultation with partners and funders and forms a 3-year plan of action to develop arts activities. It will work alongside the Borough's "50 Promises".
Councillor Justin Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Recreation says "Our mission is to make the arts more visible, valued, enjoyed and easily accessed by the people of Swindon. This will be achieved through working with our partners to provide a broader range of opportunities for people to both enjoy and benefit from. Swindon Borough Council has a vital role to play as an enabler, bringing together hard work, enthusiasm and ideas to deliver dynamic and exciting arts for the people of Swindon".
Arts Services delivers a wide range of activities at The Arts Centre, cre8 studios at the Town Hall, as well as public and visual arts, festivals and events and encompasses partnerships with such as Sixth Sense Theatre Company, REACH Inclusive Arts, Swindon Festival of Literature and the Wyvern Theatre.
The review, which has already seen the introduction of a staffing restructure across Arts divisions, and the integration of Artscape within Arts Services, promises:-
- A higher focus on Public Art
- A new operations and business development team who will follow a programme
of continual development of services as well as planning, marketing and
promotion of events
- development of external partnerships
- New promotional initiatives encouraging wider participation and social inclusion,
equalities, access and community cohesion
- A programme of research and review
What does all this mean to Swindon? The Plan is a springboard to a range of benefits such as closer links with youth services, schools and community groups, more support for local artists and creative industries, more targeted projects to engage more areas of the community. It will also help increase cultural tourism, helping Swindon become a more dynamic and economically prosperous place renowned for its quality of life, wide variety of leisure opportunities and where diversity and tolerance will be properly valued.
Arts At The Centre is the first such cross-services development plan for The Arts. For more information about the proposals, contact Helen Miah Tel: 01793 466544.