EMVAN has a new website!

www.emvan.net is now live and is crammed full of useful information and bursting with great images of some of the vibrant and diverse visual arts activty that takes place and is made in the East Midlands. Check it out for research, toolkits, case studies, opportunities, events, news and announcements, a members' directory and more! To connect, share, learn, join, collaborate advertise, take a look at www.emvan.net and become a member, it's FREE! See you there! 

Future Proof?

A recent survey conducted by EMVAN into the views of its members has revealed significant concerns about the future for visual arts in the East Midlands.

98 individuals responded to the survey and the headline findings were that 48.4% of those surveyed said that the recent round of National Portfolio Organisation settlements carried out by Arts Council England had had a negative impact on their professional work and only 21% said that it had a positive impact.

This is not surprising given the tough economic circumstances the whole country is facing but for a fragile visual arts ecology in the East Midlands this represents very bad news. Indeed over 50% feel pessimistic about the future.

This comes on the back of the recent Arts Development UK survey of spending by Local Authorities which shows a 16% downturn since 2008 and that 93% of Local Authorities expect this to decrease even further. For more details visit:

http://artsdevelopmentuk.org/2011/06/arts-development-uk-local-authority-arts-spending-survey/

Industry magazine a-n Magazine’s recent research into funding for artists presents new and challenging times for artists in particular. The Survey “Ladders for Development” showed:

 “that a disproportionate number of artists’ membership and development agencies and practice-based organisations lost core funding.”

For more details visit:

http://www.a-n.co.uk/research/article/1300054/1224267

About EMVAN

EMVAN is the East Midlands Visual Arts Network and is a burgeoning network that aims to be the voice for the visual arts in the East Midlands.

How can EMVAN help?

In these difficult times it is imperative that the sector binds itself together. The East Midlands is an expansive landscape of visual arts activity of all types. EMVAN will shortly be launching a website which will enable those working within the sector to:

• ·         Create portfolios for practising arts and organisations
• ·         Market opportunities for events, exhibitions and festival
• ·         Advertise jobs, funding and commissioning opportunities
• ·         Create events which bring the sector together
• ·         Create an online resource for developing best practice.

For further information about EMVAN, its events and activity, become a subscriber.

EMVAN is developing a new website that will ‘go live’ in September. Keep an eye on www.emvan.net.

EMVAN seminar: 'The Art of Networking'

After its success in Derby this EMVAN seminar is back by popular demand at the New Art Exchange in Nottingham.

Date: Thursday 30th June 2011
Venue: New Art Exchange, 39-41 Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 6BE
Time: 4pm till 8pm
Cost: £5 to cover refreshments

Networking is the vital tool for artists and creative organisations to survive the challenges of the future. But networking is more than just standing around drinking cups of coffee at conferences, it's a powerful tool that can transform the way you work.

This is a half day seminar aimed at helping you network better. Working with Sue Pike you will be given tips, thoughts and insights into how to structure your networking so that you can be more effective in your professional world.

To book tickets follow https://uk.patronbase.com/_QD/Seats/NumSeats?prod_id=94F1&perf_id=1&section_id=M&seat_type_id=S or contact the QUAD Box Office on 01332 290 606

SUE PIKE

Sue is a coach and personal development specialist with practical experience of a wide range of market sectors and industries. Her passion is the release and realisation of untapped potential within organisations, teams and individuals.

Sue supports individuals and teams during periods of change and equips her clients to be more personally resilient and work more effectively with the challenges of their day to day working lives and relationships. She is also a founder member and partner in The Well Room corporate wellbeing consultancy.

Sue has an energetic and enthusiastic style which ensures that workshops are led in an open, creative and fully participative manner.

You can find out more about her from www.consult.uk/net/spike

Made in the Middle - deadline extended to Thursday 7 July

Made in the Middle is the Midland’s principal open selling exhibition of contemporary craft, which takes place every three years. It promotes the best of recent craft from makers with a regional connection and it is popular with audiences, galleries and collectors. Besides achieving an excellent level of sales, many makers gain from further commissions and exhibiting opportunities.

This is the seventh exhibition in the ongoing Made in the Middle series, originated by Craftspace. This year for the first time, East meets West as the exhibition will also feature work from makers based in or affiliated to the East Midlands, to reflect the skill and work available within the whole region. The exhibition will launch at mac birmingham on 21st January2012 and will tour for approximately eighteen months. Made in the Middle will launch in the East Midlands at The National Centre forCraft & Design.

Where: The exhibition will tour to 8 venues in the West and East Midlands with a potential South West venue.

Application Process: The application pack can be downloaded from the Craftspace website: www.craftspace.co.uk.  Documents should be returned to Craftspace via online submission no later than 5pm on Thursday 30th June. Further details about online submission are available within the application pack available from www.craftspace.co.uk. If you have any queries please contact 0121 608 6668 or info@craftspace.co.uk

Fee: There is a non-refundable application fee of £10. Payment details are included in the guidelines for online submission at www.craftspace.co.uk 

Key Dates: Deadline for Applications: 5pm on Thursday 30th June Selection dates: 26th or 27th July. Successful applicants will be informed by the end of July.

Exhibition launch: 21st January 2012

Update on Monday, July 4, 2011 at 3:42PM by East Midlands Visual Arts Network

Deadline extended to 7 July