1. INTRODUCTION

Explanation of my own role & responsibilities Respective roles of English local / national government in the arts

2. OUTLINE DESCRIPTION OF BIRMINGHAM

* City of 1m people, in conurbation of 2.5m,
* The Centre of a region on 5m
* 2 hours drive from London
* region polarised 1/2 & 1/2, rural / urban

More than almost any other English city transformed in last decade:
* ECONOMICALLY
* PHYSICALLY
* CULTURALLY
* POPULATION MAKE-UP

All brought their own cultures ; religions, trades & social traditions

Birmingham is now a Rich religious mix, containing Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus some Buddhists (beside Christians )


2a. BRIEF INTRODUCTORY VIDEO PORTRAIT OF BIRMINGHAM


3. HOW BIRMINGHAM'S ARTS / CULTURAL SCENE HAS CHANGED IN LAST DECADE
[drawing out strategic threads]

1990

Brief account of the situation 10 years ago
* Several smaller organisations, working separately, vulnerably, in isolation, with limited artistic sight and profiles
* Weak promotion and
* particularly low visibility of black culture ; not in mainstream, marginalised

1999 - that picture entirely changed - I'll account for it through the developments of

a) buildings
b) organisations
c) projects

BUILDINGS

PERFORMING ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
ARTS CENTRES

* multi - artform
* mission includes participation / education

IMPORTANCE OF PEDESTRIANISATION
* Public realm reclaimed for local people (after car)
* opportunities for public art and for free performance

ORGANISATIONS



3a. STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF 4 SEMINAL 1990S PROJECTS

Which made key contributions to opening flood-gates to collaborative working methods, then joint projects, then mature relationship.
* The 10-year festival of the 20thC, 'TOWARDS THE MILLENNIUM'
* UK CITY OF MUSIC 1992 * MUSIC LIVE 95 plus new last year :
* ARTSFEST
* GALLERY 37
* ARTSITES
* 2000 PROGRAMME will build on all those


4. EDUCATION / COMMUNITY WORK

Required of all supported organisations Importance of Education / outreach :
* Curriculum (artists NOT substitute teachers)
* Extra-curricular
* Instrumental (behaviour, London kids / Police youth clubs)


5. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ARTS LOTTERY

Arts funding portfolio has developed organically over 20 years Arts Lottery has added equivalent sum over 3 years

structural problems :
* Lottery application driven, not strategic
* at first all for buildings, not activities


6. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - WHAT IT DOES IN THE ARTS

* Differences between national and local government
a) Most local spending under direct political control
b) National government more restricted to giving financial support, not actual programme interventions * Local government management of cultural services

Hands on / Hands off
* Advantages and disadvantages of direct local government management
* Rich potential at the boundary


7. BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL - STRATEGIC APPROACH TO ARTS

How BBC management strategic management system for the arts works, explaining why the arts are different from other local government issues - This is particularly covered in the EJCP article
(see covering letter)

Core Values :
* Quality of Life
* Access
* Educational
* Cultural Diversity * Economic Development
* Tourism

8. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ARTS IN THE 19890s
Brief contextual background to Economic Impact theorising

9. WHERE NEXT?
and Conclusions