Report wants arts funding run by a single organisation
A NEW arts strategy has been proposed and been endorsed by Education, Sport & Culture.
Today, the Arts Strategy Working Group published a report on the future of art in Guernsey.
It makes the case for a new strategy which will do six things:
n Secure sufficient and sustainable funding for the arts
n Ensure everyone has the opportunity to be creative, regardless of age or background
n Attract the widest possible audience for the arts including overseas audiences, helping to boost the economy and support tourism
n Help deliver all forms of art by connecting artists, arts organisations and businesses
n Improve facilities and resources for the arts and support artists in their creative endeavours
n Ensure strong leadership for the arts and ensure sector participants and stakeholders have a voice
To help achieve this, the report recommends re-invigorating the Guernsey Arts Commission, giving consideration to centralising arts funding, professionalising investment in the arts, creating new facilities for the arts and putting the arts at the heart of Guernsey’s brand.
The group’s chair, Dave Warr, said a better resourced, more autonomous Guernsey Arts Commission – which receives and redistributes all arts-related grants from the States – is key to a successful strategy.
‘Investment in the arts should be professionalised, with funding – whether from the States or from business – being linked to measurable objectives relating to health, wellbeing and community benefits.
‘This will encourage greater investment, help facilitate the creation of new and improved arts facilities and put Guernsey on the creative map.’
The group’s recommendations have been informed by multiple consultations, including a sector event at St James last year and a public survey.
An implementation group chaired by Wayne Bulpitt CBE will be established by ESC delivering on the report’s recommendations. Funded by the Community Foundation, the implementation group will be comprised of representatives from across the local arts spectrum.
Education, Sport & Culture president Deputy Matt Fallaize said: ‘When the committee was elected early last year, we were made aware of a widespread view throughout the arts community that greater support and co-ordination for the arts was needed and so we were happy to support the establishment of the Arts Strategy Working Group.
‘The report sets out clear and ambitious recommendations which will be invaluable to the committee when creating our plan for the arts, which we intend to complete before the end of 2019.
‘This will then be put before the States along with plans for sport, language, transforming education and heritage.’
He thanked members of the ASWG and implementation group for their work with the committee.
Implementation Group chair Wayne Bulpitt said the working group delivered a comprehensive report offering a clear vision and steps to get there.
‘We will make sure the report doesn’t just sit on the shelf – we will create a detailed action plan that, with the support of the States, will transform the wider arts sector for the benefit of the island.’
n The full Report can be found on the Guernsey Community Foundation’s website www.foundation.gg.
