AIR

Turning point widens communications

By: a-n

Arts Council England convened a meeting between regional Turning point groups and national visual arts organisations in July, with representatives from a-n, AIR, Axis, Contemporary Art Society, Engage, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and National Federation of Artists Studios Providers invited to attend.

AIR Artists Advisory Group member Mitra Memarzia was one of only two artists present. Stephen Turner, member of AIR and the Arts Council South East's Board, made up the artist contingency. The meeting was framed by a presentation outlining the background and context for the network, followed by progress to-date within each of the regional groups in the South East, East Midlands, North East, East and London. Whilst some regional networks had well developed business plans, had secured funding from Grants for the Arts for projects and were establishing forums to widen participation, others were embryonic or nascent. Issues raised included how Turning point would fare in the context of the recession. Susan Jones (a-n) commented that as money would be tight and in particular that there was likely to be a reduction of 44% in payments to artists for work during 2009 that a structure was needed that is inclusive "so the wider visual arts community can sign up to Turning point values and not feel excluded". Jane Sillis (Engage) pointed to the need to map existing activity - national and regional - with regions delivering to strategic agendas, avoiding duplication. Artists'...

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