|
|
 |
| homepage > our work > news > drama & dance > Escalator to be major driving force for the development of new arts talent in the UK
|
 |
|
Escalator to be major driving force for the development of new arts talent in the UK |
|
 |
On Wednesday 12 May 2004 The Junction and Colchester Arts Centre will reveal their plans for Escalator, an ambitious new Arts Council England, East initiative which aims to make the Eastern region THE major driving force for the development of new arts talent in the UK.
Through Escalator, mentors and facilitators will help emerging artists to realise their full potential and to produce professional results. Whether they be actors, dancers, writers, theatre companies, directors, singer-songwriters, live artists or those working with art and new technology, any ambitious regional performing artists with clear talent and a strong desire for professional development stands to benefit.
Over 30 regional arts organisations will contribute to Escalator and will help discover, recommend and support artists who fit the criteria.
Escalator will support a broad range of performing artists at different stages in their careers, providing coaching, training and funds as well as joint promotion, performance and networking opportunities. The development of partnerships and exchange projects will allow Escalator to enhance the profile of artists at both a national and international level.
Paul Bogen, Director of The Junction explained “This is the first time that the most promising artists from any performing arts discipline have been able to look to a single regional initiative for support. The emphasis will be on giving encouragement and providing access to the kind of training, professional guidance, opportunities and resources which could easily accelerate an artist’s development.”
As part of the launch event, artists will be invited to an open seminar to find out more about the funding opportunities and development schemes available to them. Led by Paul Bogen (The Junction) and Anthony Roberts (Colchester Arts Centre), this session will introduce the scheme and outline the help it can offer to performing artists living in the region.
From 6pm onwards artists and organisations from the region are invited to help launch the Escalator strategy with drinks, refreshments and live art by the Ipswich-based collective 'Breathe'. This will be followed by speeches and performance poetry.
Escalator will be run by a team of regional arts organisations, producers, artists and the Arts Council England, East. It is being co-ordinated by The Junction (Cambridge) and Colchester Arts Centre.
The free artist seminar will take place at 3.30pm. To book a place, artists should contact the box office on (01473) 295900. The Escalator launch will take place at 6pm.
Both events will take place on Wednesday 12 May at New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich as part of the theatre’s ‘Pulse Festival’ – itself a showcase festival for emerging artists.
Notes to editors
Criteria for Inclusion in Escalator
To be included in Escalator there must be a clear demonstration of a desire for appropriate professional development. Inclusion will be based on talent, potential, quality of work, and clarity of aims rather than artistic or ethnic background, education and experience.
Escalator artists do not have to be working professionally at the time of their inclusion in the programme, or seeking to develop their careers along the more traditional and mainstream paths within the performance arts. The key criteria will be potential, quality and the desire to develop.
Escalator Programmes
Escalator programmes will include:
• Developing the Ipswich based Pulse Festival into the region’s showcase event for emerging, developing and established artists.
• Establishing Escalator venue circuits to present emerging artists
• Artists coaching, training and professional development
• Commissioning new work
• Promoting regional artists at national and international events such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
• Developing artist collaboration and exchange projects with national and international arts organisations
• Supporting the development of producers working with regional artists
Sourcing of artists, stock takes and coaching will be financed through a core budget. All other programmes will be financed through Grants for the Arts.
Pulse Festival
The Pulse Fringe Festival is an annual three week event aimed at giving a platform to the region’s performance artists at the New Wosley Studio, Ipswich. For more information please contact Julia Donat on (01473) 295900 or email jdonat@wolseytheatre.co.uk.
www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
Arts Council England, East
As part of their corporate planning, Arts Council England, East has identified the need to place further investment in to the regions emerging and developing artists. In order to do this they will be working with their specialist arts agencies and organisations to determine the needs of artists and the best ways to deliver support.
The Arts Council are currently developing two further strands aiming to develop talent in Visual Arts and Literature (co-ordinated by Commissions East and The New Writing Partnership, Norwich).
Junction Vision
Escalator is an excellent fit for The Junction’s vision of the Eastern region becoming a net exporter of the arts rather than a net importer. Over the coming years, helped by Arts Council England, East, The Junction aims to see more of the region’s talent (bands, actors, promoters) travelling outside the immediate locality. The aim is to be instrumental in increasing the output of the region’s creative industry, from events through to areas such as advice and good practice.
(ends)
For more press information, photography or interviews contact:
Cat Moore on 01223 57 8000 or email cat@junction.co.uk
For more information about The Junction see www.junction.co.uk
|
|
|