AIR

The first meeting of the AIR Representation working group took place in Birmingham in September to discuss primary areas of research for an artists’ representation model.

Findings will help identify the most effective structure to communicate the interests of AIR members to others. As one AIR member survey respondent said: "AIR is a vital resource in presenting accurately the reality of living and working as an artist".

Abigail Branagan has been appointed as researcher to support the Representation working group’s fact finding. Originally trained as a fine artist Abigail now works for the creative business incubator Cockpit Arts and is a regular contributor to a-n’s Knowledge Bank on www.a-n.co.uk.

The Representation working group that includes Katriona Beales (Liverpool), Jack Hutchinson (London), Sally Lemsford (Nottingham), Claudia Pilsl (Bristol), Paul Scott (Cumbria) and Caroline Wright (Suffolk), has identified a range of representation models for in-depth exploration, to create a picture of what constitutes best practice. Abigail will be consulting international arts bodies and UK societies and associations to identify how they communicate their members’ views to wider government and development agencies. Consultation will also be undertaken with unions and pressure groups such as Amnesty International and Greenpeace, looking at operational structures and how they involve their membership in decision making processes.

Abigail will be canvassing thoughts, opinions and ideas at forthcoming AIR events. News and progress reports will be circulated across the AIR membership.

In the meantime if you belong to a group or society (arts or non-arts sector) that you feel is representing your views then we would love to hear more.

Please complete the 5 minute, anonymous on-line survey by 20 December Click here

First published: a-n.co.uk October 2009