Swindon Borough Council

Arts Services
Strategic Business Plan
2005/08

Arts at the
Centre
Our mission is to make the arts
visible, valued, enjoyed, and easily
accessed by the people of
Swindon. I am passionate that
this will be achieved through
working with our partners to
provide a broad range of
opportunities for people to both
enjoy and benefit from the arts.
Swindon Borough Council has a
vital role to play as an enabler,
bringing together the hard work,
enthusiasm and ideas, helping
deliver broad, dynamic and
exciting arts for the people of
Swindon.
Art in the streets
Imaging Festival 04
Cllr. Justin Tomlinson
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Photo: Copyright Swindon
Culture and Recreation Borough Council

Page 1
Contents
Introduction Page 3
Mission Page 3
What do we do? Page 4
The Arts Centre Page 4
cre8 studios Page 5
Exhibitions Page 5
Festivals and Events Page 6
Public Art Page 6
Our values Page 6
What is meant by the arts? Page 7
Why do the arts matter? Page 8
Our vision Page 9
Issues that inform this plan Page 10
Arts key themes 2004/08 Page 10
Quality assurance Page 11
Targets and performance indicators Page 11
Budget summary Page 12
Funding to arts organisations Page 13
Key strategic partnerships Page 14
Strategic objectives 2005/08 Page 20
Staffing structure Page 22
Staff contact information Page 23
Priority projects and initiatives 2005/06 Page 25

Appendix 1
Arts Services Action Plan 2005/06

Abbey Meads pupils take part in National

Poetry Day
Photo: Roger Ogle
Page 2
 Open Studios Family Painting Day
Photo: Richard Wintle

Introduction
Arts at the Centre sets a strategic framework for Swindon Borough
Council Arts Services 2005/08. It has been developed by the Arts
Services Team in consultation with key strategic arts organisations,
funders, partners and stakeholders. It is the outcome of an 18 month review
of Swindon Borough Council’s arts provision and has been accompanied by
a staffing restructure.

Arts at the Centre is underpinned by a commitment to develop an enabling

and customer centred approach to service delivery.

Arts at the Centre takes into account local, regional and national priorities
and opportunities in both the arts and local government.

Helen Miah
Arts Services Manager

Mission
July 2005

Arts Services exist to make the arts

visible, valued, enjoyed, and easily
accessed by the people of Swindon.

Page 3
What do we do?
Arts Services develop, support and deliver a wide range of arts activities and
events and encompass The Arts Centre in Old Town, cre8 studios at the
Town Hall, Public and Visual Arts, Festivals and Events. We manage a
number of key strategic partnership agreements with local and regional arts
organisations including Sixth Sense Theatre Company, REACH Inclusive
Arts, the Swindon Festival of Literature and the Wyvern Theatre.
Arts Services provide an artistic programme for Swindon which includes the Swindon
annual Summer Street Festival, The World Music Series at the Bowl, exhibitions at the
Great Western Hospital and the Wyvern Theatre as well as a programme of music,
comedy, film, art, drama and exhibitions at the Arts Centre. We develop and deliver
workshops, short courses and bespoke projects, including the delivery of the Council’s
Public Art Policy, across the full range of art forms and with a variety of community
groups, schools and colleges.

The Arts Centre

Situated in Old Town The Arts Centre is a 212 seat theatre and art gallery
which stages more than 200 professional and community events each year.
One of the oldest municipal arts centres in the country the Arts Centre
celebrates 60 years of existence, and 50 years in the current building, in
2006.
The programme covers music, drama, comedy, children’s events, live literature, films and
exhibitions. Additionally, the Arts Centre is home to three local drama companies, a
number of local societies, the annual One Act Play Festival, the Swindon Music Festival,
and has recently become the major venue for the
Swindon Festival of Literature.
The Arts Centre has benefited from a recent complete
refurbishment and is fully compliant with DDA
regulations. The auditorium, galleries and studio can
be hired for private use.
Programming for the venue is managed by Clarry
Bean, Arts Programming Manager. Operations are
managed by Stuart Webb, Arts Business and
Photo: Sam Frost Development Manager.

The Palette Café

The Palette Café at the Arts Centre is managed by The Darack Group. The
café serves good quality food and has a growing clientele. Arts Services
will continue to develop shared activities with the café including joint
catering and entertainment packages and special events. In 2005 the café
was named the official Festival Café for the Swindon Festival of Literature.

Page 4
cre8 studios
cre8 studios is Swindon's community resource for film, video,
multimedia, sound and photography providing a wide range of
activities, facilities and equipment. cre8 studios offer a broad
range of training courses for children and adults of all ages,
bespoke community projects and support programmes for
emerging artists.
Based at the Town Hall cre8 facilities include a vision studio, editing suites, photography
and sound studios.
cre8 studios are managed by Stuart Webb, Arts Business and Development Manager
supported by Keith Phillips, Digital, Film and Media Arts Development Officer, under the
programming direction of Clarry Bean, Arts Programming Manager.

Mobile Media is the outreach wing of cre8 studios, bringing the

latest digital media technology to schools, community groups and
young people. Working out on location, Mobile Media creates
opportunities to experience and produce video, animation, sound,
photography and web pieces with the support of professional
artists. Over 3,000 young people have participated in Mobile Media
projects over the past three years.

The Mobile Media Director is Shahina Johnson

Open Studios
Photo: Richard Wintle

Media Circus
Photo: cre8 studios

Exhibitions
Exhibitions by local, regional and national artists are programmed at the Arts Centre, the
Wyvern Theatre and the Great Western Hospital by Barbara Dixon, the Visual Arts
Development Officer, under the programming direction of Clarry Bean, Arts Programming
Manager. Education packages are delivered to accompany specific exhibitions and there
are classes and workshops throughout the year.
Guidance and support is provided to local artists and bespoke projects are designed to
meet public service priorities with a recent focus on arts and health.

Page 5
Festivals and Events
The Swindon Summer Street Festival, the World
Music Series and the Swindon Mela are managed
by Toby Rathbone, Festivals and Events Officer,
under the programming direction of Clarry Bean,
Arts Programming Manager. These large scale
events have grown in stature over the last five
years and have developed a loyal and growing
Swindon Summer Festival
audience from Swindon and the surrounding
Photo: Mark Pepperall
region.

Under the guidance of the Festivals and Events

Officer the management of the Swindon Mela is
being driven by the local Asian community and will
seek charitable status in 2005/06.

Public Art
Swindon’s nationally acclaimed collection of Public
Art is managed by Celia Yeoman, Senior Public Art
Manager. The Percent for Art policy is rigorously
applied and has resulted in a consistently high
standard of Public Art integrated throughout
Swindon’s major development areas. A recent
Public Art South West Review of Swindon’s Public
Art policy has reinforced Swindon’s national
reputation as a provider of excellent practice in this
field.

The planned growth of Swindon over the next few

years provides an opportunity to expand this area
of Arts Service activity.

The Atrium at the Great Western Hospital

Artist: Amber Hiscott Photo: David Pearl

Our values
Arts Services work with passion, respect,
integrity, determination and energy.
Page 6
What is meant by
the arts?
This plan uses a broad and inclusive definition of
the arts, to include all types of:

! Music, dance, theatre and live entertainment

! Visual arts, design, crafts and, public art
The Big Paint
! Video, film and photography Photo: Richard Wintle
! Electronic media, digital arts and multimedia
! Poetry, writing, storytelling and literature
! Interdisciplinary art, such as live art and
performance art
! Popular culture

The arts can happen in all sorts of places, spaces

and environments:

! In the open air

! In pubs, clubs and entertainment venues
! In schools and colleges
! In leisure centres, community centres and Poetry Slam
youth centres Photo: Ben Cavanna

! In galleries, arts centres, theatres and concert

halls

The arts may be:

! Amateur
! Voluntary
! Professional
! Subsidised
! Commercial
New Youth Theatre
Photo: Sam Frost

Page 7
 Why do the arts
matter?
The arts and creative industries contribute to
economic health. Employment in the cultural and
creative industries is predicted to continue to grow
substantially over the next ten years. Turnover in the
South West regional economy is set to exceed the
£5.6 billion figure set in 2002.

The arts enrich people’s lives.

Intercultural Barn Dance
Photo: Sam Frost Many of the creative activities which people take part
in are not consciously considered as arts, but hobbies
or entertainment. More than half of the adult UK
population (53%) claim to take an active part in some
form of arts or crafts activity – as many people paint or
draw as play golf, and as many people play a musical
instrument as play football.

The arts open up opportunities to all kinds of people:

taking part, learning new skills, finding their own
creativity, and working with others are satisfying and
valuable experiences in their own right, but also help
develop transferable skills, interpersonal skills, and
self worth. Experiencing the arts as audiences,
listeners and viewers entertains, stimulates and
supports a sense of community through shared
Dance at the Wyvern activity. Arts experiences have the potential to
Photo: Richard Wintle enrich life for those participating.

The arts also contribute significantly to the continued

economic well-being of the Borough. Swindon needs
to be recognised as a good place to live, work and
play, if local businesses are to gain and retain quality
staff, particularly key workers who deliver competitive
advantage.

In short, access to the arts significantly improves the

quality of life for individuals, groups and communities,
while a vibrant and diverse arts programme supports
economic success and regeneration, generates civic
pride and social cohesion, and adds value to Council
Stories at Dawn services.
Photo: Ben Cavanna

Page 8
Our vision
The arts will play a significant role in
helping Swindon become a dynamic
and economically prosperous place,
that is renowned for its quality of life
and varied leisure opportunities. Celebrating Cultures
Photo: Sam Frost

We want Swindon to be a place where people actively choose to live and work. A wide
range of arts opportunities are enjoyed by dynamic, self-confident local people with a
strong sense of community; and the arts are clearly visible and valued in civic,
business and private life.
We want to entertain and inspire audiences through a varied programme of top quality
arts activities across different art forms. Audiences are willing to try new experiences
and value the pleasures of sharing live performance, without needing to travel beyond
their own community.
We want to encourage professional development, by ensuring exciting opportunities
exist to support practitioners and develop diverse artistic skills, which encourage active
learning throughout people's lives. A thriving professional creative sector, and a strong
arts network which includes the university, will support economic development. The
amateur, voluntary, commercial, subsidised and professional sectors will work together
for maximum impact. A confident and go-ahead amateur sector is evidence of a
healthy community.
We want to engage young people and local communities by developing projects that
give them the opportunity to be creative and work together. This will build individual
self-confidence and contribute to a sense of community. Current barriers to
involvement, whether economic, physical, or cultural beliefs that the arts are "not for
me", will be broken down by a co-ordinated approach which embraces all art forms as
equally valuable.
We will take artistic activity out to where people are, and integrate art into their lives.
Continued investment in public art will enhance civic pride and identity and integrate
the arts into the urban and rural fabric of the Borough.
Engagement with the arts enriches individuals and improves the quality of community
life in Swindon. With many social factors contributing to a sense of personal isolation,
we see artistic activity as providing the social "glue" that can bring people from across
the age and social spectrum together in shared, pleasurable activities. Diversity and
tolerance will be properly valued in Swindon.

N.B. We know that these aspirations are not easily or immediately attainable, but we
hope that this vision of how things could be will inform our objectives and challenge
and inspire us to aim high in everything we do.

Page 9
Issues that inform this plan
National
DCMS Culture at the Heart of Regeneration

Regional
Wiltshire Forward Plan
Arts Council England South West

Local
Community Strategy
Swindon 2010 Corporate Plan
Medium Term Business Plan
Cultural Strategy
Cultural Partnership Development
The New Swindon Company – plans for Town Centre Regeneration
Local Plan 2011 2nd Deposit
The Provision of Public Art Supplementary Planning Guidance
University of Bath in Swindon – plans for University Campus and Central Institute of
Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts
Artsmad, Arts Education and Youth Development Plan
Local Authority Partnership Agreement with Arts Council England South West
2004 - 2006
TheatreWorks - Theatre Locality Plan for Swindon and Wiltshire
Re-development of Old Town
Artswords - Literature Development Plan

Arts key themes 2004/08

Arts Services have developed eight key themes that are linked to the priorities of the
Community Strategy and the Council Plan, and reflect the ambitions of the Arts Council
England.
1. Cultural change and regeneration
2. Social inclusion, equalities and access
3. Young people
4. Cultural diversity
5. Widening participation
6. Artists and art form development
7. Healthy communities
8. Organisational development and sustainability

These are underpinned by a commitment to partnerships, learning and quality.

These eight themes are reflected in our strategies, objectives and partnership
agreements.

Page 10
Quality assurance
Arts Services gained IIP status as part of Cultural Services in 2004.
Arts Services are committed to continuous improvement and apply rigorous
evaluation and review to all aspects of service delivery.
Targeted consultation and customer feedback is used to inform all aspects of service
development.

Targets and performance

indicators
There are currently no national performance indicators for the arts. From 2004 onwards
BVPI 119D Three Year Satisfaction Survey may be able to be monitored.

The Arts Council England and Best Value Unit are currently looking at the most
appropriate indicators to measure arts activity.

The following Local Performance Indicators capture data from the Arts Centre, former
Artscape activities and events and cre8 studios. These measures and targets are
currently under review.

LBVPI 1 Number of users

LBVPI 2 Number of visits per 1000 of population

LBVPI 1 LBVPI 2
2003/04 actual 103,876 573
2004/05 actual 106,916 590

Arts Services also make a significant

contribution to other Performance Indicators
including:

! Equalities
! Community Engagement
! E-government
! Communications
! Access

The New Youth Theatre in performance at

the Arts Centre
Photo: Sam Frost
Page 11
Budget summary
The following tables summarise income and
expenditure for Arts Services.

Figures for 2005/06 reflect the restructure of Arts

Services and in particular the creation of an
Media Circus at cre8 studios
amalgamated staff team. A dedicated Public Art
Photo: Richard Wintle
budget has been established and other budgets
have been re-allocated to reflect our combined
service structure

Expenditure
Service 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06
Arts Management [including Arts
Grants, Subscriptions & Literature £158,474 £162, 934 £152,400
Development]

Professional Arts Services Team Not applicable Not applicable £311,300

Artscape £109,708 £109,936 Not applicable

cre8 studios £79,333 £86,524 £9,600

The Arts Centre £102,934 £127,842 £54,300

Public Art Not applicable Not applicable £2,100

Total £450,449 £487,232 £529,700

Income
Service 2003/04 2004/05
Arts Management £0,000 £18,338

Artscape £5,829 £3,777

Arts Centre £49,051 £58,741

cre8 studios £64,501 £37,803

Mobile Media £4,798 £15,233

Arts Partnerships £88,932 £103,309

Public Art £173,854 £210,191

Page 12
Funding to arts organisations
Organisation 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

Sixth Sense Theatre Company £33,048 £40,000 £41,400

REACH Inclusive Arts £9,915 £14,000 £14,500

Swindon Festival of Literature £5,000 £5,100 £5,250

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra £26,545 £12,000 £12,000

Arts Projects £1,648 £6,091 £6,900

Swindon Cultural Partnership Not applicable £5,051 £35,000

Arts Council England South West

£17,804 £18,338 £18,900
Partnership Agreement

Arts and Business South West £3,838 £3,953 £4,000

Wyvern Theatre Community Projects £8,742 £8,916 £9,100

Swindon Arts £4,904 Not applicable Not applicable

Arts Services also manage the allocation of the interest from the McDermott Trust,
bequeathed to be used to support classical music development in Swindon. For the last
three years this funding has been allocated to the Swindon Recital Series. In 2005/06 this
fund will be offered for a further three year bid in an open tender process.

Funding to arts organisations is managed through a combination of Service Level

Agreements and Partnership Agreements. During 2005/06 the processes for allocating
funding will be further reviewed to reflect the development of Compact.

Public Art project with Asda Walmart

Photo: James Newell
Artists: Grennan and Sperandio

Page 13
Key strategic partnerships

Arts
Services

Artsminds

The development of partnerships and co-ordinated priorities is central to the

success of the arts in Swindon.

Over the next three years Arts Services will continue to develop partnership
working with a wide variety of local arts organisations and key stakeholders.

Page 14
Artsmad
Artsmad is a new initiative driven by Arts Services and the
Arts Council England that aims to ensure access to high
quality arts experiences for children and young people in Swindon.

Artsmad is a partnership between Swindon Borough Council Arts Services, LEA, Music
Service and Youth Service, Sixth Sense Theatre Company, Swindon Dance National
Dance Agency, Arts Council England South West, The University of Bath in Swindon
Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts and The Commonweal School.

Artsmad is a shared priority in the Swindon Borough Council and Arts Council England
South West Partnership Agreement and is a named action in the Community Strategy.

From May 2005 until November 2006 Artsmad is being managed by Kirsty Carter as
Strategic Co-ordinator. During this time the role of Artsmad will be further developed and
defined. High profile targeted action research projects, training, networking,
communication, links to the regional framework for education and youth agencies and the
establishment of robust evaluation techniques will ensure the role of Artsmad continues to
meet local, regional and national needs.

Rock School at the Wyvern

Photo: Mark Pepperal

Artsminds
Artsminds is a new initiative managed by Swindon Borough Council
Arts Services. An agreed shared priority with the Arts Council England
South West, Artsminds is about networking and communicating across
Artsminds
the local arts community both within Swindon and the sub region.
Artsminds is currently in development but has agreed the following broad aims:
inclusive; accessible; supportive; independent; the "voice" for the arts in Swindon;
sharing; collaborative; partnership; social; and fun.
Artsminds is the key tool for breaking down barriers across the various arts sectors in
Swindon and ensuring a co-ordinated and cohesive and supportive approach to arts
development.
We are currently consulting with the local arts community over the future direction and
structure for Artsminds and this will be reported in Autumn 2005.

Page 15
Sixth Sense Theatre Company
Sixth Sense Theatre Company have a national reputation for
providing quality theatre for children and young people. They
are a Regularly Funded Organisation [RFO] with the Arts
Council England South West. Swindon Borough Council have developed a unique
relationship with Sixth Sense over the last 20 years and alongside the Arts Council have
provided funding to support the organisations core running costs.

The development of a Partnership Agreement with Sixth Sense has led to a more focused
and strategic approach with Sixth Sense taking an active role in the Artsmad and Cultural
Partnership initiatives. Their work with the LEA and other public bodies to develop and
deliver theatre that is relevant and challenging ensures added value and is targeted at
key Council priorities.

www.sixthsensetheatrecompany.co.uk

REACH Inclusive Arts

Swindon Borough Council have been the key funding provider for
REACH Inclusive Arts for over 20 years. REACH are an arts and
disability organisation covering Swindon and Wiltshire. They aim
to develop and nurture a disability arts culture, and involve
disabled people in the artistic and cultural life of the community
through accessible arts projects.

The aim of the Partnership Agreement between REACH and Arts Services is to clarify the
relationship, identify shared priorities and agree outcomes and targets. Over the next
three years Arts Services will continue to work with REACH on organisational stability and
capacity as well as supporting their on-going programme.

www.reachinclusivearts.ik.com

Swindon Festival of Literature

The Swindon Festival of Literature has grown in stature over the
last 12 years to become one of the highlights of the Swindon
cultural calendar. Support from Swindon Borough Council includes
0.2 of the Literature Development Officer time, senior Arts and
Libraries staff as well as venues and sponsorship. The developing
Partnership Agreement identifies a number of shared priorities and seeks to maximise
added value. The Festival makes a significant contribution to cultural tourism and raising
the profile of Swindon locally, regionally and nationally.

www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk

Page 16
Arts Council England South West
In spring 2003 the Arts Council England South West took over
responsibility for the arts in Swindon from Southern Arts. A new
Partnership Agreement was negotiated for 2004/06 which secured an
additional £36,000 to support shared strategic priorities:
1. A Cultural Partnership for Swindon
2. Artsmad
3. TheatreWorks
4. Artsminds
5. Technical Theatre Apprenticeships
The Arts Council are reviewing the development of Local Authority Partnership
Agreements during 2005/06.
The Arts Services Manager is the named local authority representative with the Arts
Council and provides feedback on all Grants for the Arts applications from Swindon.
This ensures that public funding for the arts is directed at meeting both Arts Council and
local authority priorities. The Arts Council are also the key funding body for a number of
projects, organisations and activities involving Arts Services. Over the next three years
Arts Services will continue to develop close relationships with the Arts Council to
maximise investment in the arts for Swindon.

www.artscouncil.org.uk

Swindon Music Service

The Music Service is a key cross - Council partner with Arts Services.
Currently the Service is undergoing major staffing changes. Over the
coming year through the work of Artsmad, Arts Services will support
the Music Service and identify key shared priorities that will add
value. The relationship with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will be jointly
reviewed alongside the policy on education residencies.

www.swindon.gov.uk

Swindon Dance National Dance Agency

In July 2005 Swindon Dance became an independent trust. Arts Services will
continue to engage with Swindon Dance as the primary provider of dance
activities in Swindon. All opportunities to maximise arts funding will be
explored and we will continue to work in close partnership. A three year
Partnership Agreement will be developed to agree a number of shared
priorities locally, regionally and nationally.

www.swindondance@gov.uk

Page 17
The Wyvern Theatre Hetherington Seeling Theatres
In April 2004 Swindon Borough Council awarded a ten year contract
for the 600 seater Wyvern Theatre to Hetherington Seelig Theatres
[HST]. Arts Services will continue to work closely with the new
management to enable the theatre to reclaim its place at the centre of Swindon’s cultural
heart. The theatre aims to present a quality programme that encompasses the best local,
national and international drama, dance, opera, music, comedy, children's theatre and
other arts activities. Shared priorities include audience development, access and
education. By providing an eclectic and diverse programme the theatre will become a
catalyst for a fully inclusive and innovative arts community.

www.wyverntheatre.org.uk

The Commonweal School

The Commonweal School achieved specialist Performing
Arts College status in September 2004. Arts Services have
developed strong relationships with the school and were
involved in the development of the successful bid. The Arts Services Manager is a
member of the Specialist Status Steering Group and a number of Arts Services partners
and commissioned services are also partners [Sixth Sense Theatre Company, REACH
Inclusive Arts, Swindon Music and Swindon Dance National Dance Agency]

The school have a clear remit to contribute to community arts in Swindon. The aim of the
developing Partnership Agreement between the school and Arts Services is to ensure a
co-ordinated and strategic approach, maximising the potential to achieve added value.
We will identify and deliver a number of shared projects and activities each year that will
address the targets of the specialist Arts College School and Community Plan.

www.commonweal.co.uk

Swindon Recital Series

Arts Services manage the McDermott Trust bequeathed for the benefit of
classical music development in Swindon. For the last three years this funding
has been awarded to the Swindon Recital Series. A Partnership Agreement
with the Swindon Recital Series identified some shared priorities around
audience development and marketing. Arts Services will continue to look for
ways to work in partnership with the Swindon Recital Series, although the McDermott
Trust Award will be open to competition in 2005/06 ready for a three year award from
2006/09.

www.swindon.gov.uk

Page 18
University of Bath in Swindon
Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts
The Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts is already a key partner in a number
of arts activities across Swindon. As the plans for the university are clarified over the next
year the relationship with Arts Services will become critical. The potential for joint working
is tremendous with a particular emphasis on future capital development. Arts Services will
continue to work with the Institute to identify and deliver key priorities and maximise
opportunities for added value.

www.bath.ac.uk/arts

Arts and Business South West

Arts Services will continue to subscribe to Arts and Business South
West. The Partnership Agreement will continue to set targets for
Business enagagement in the arts in Swindon as well as raising the
profile of the town in a regional and national context.

www.AandB.org.uk

The New Swindon Company

As the urban regeneration company for Swindon Arts Services
will actively seek out and deliver joint projects, activities and
initiatives with the New Swindon Company where funding can be achieved. The support
of the Public Arts Officer will be strengthened and the Percent for Art policy maximised.

www.newswindon.co.uk

Boka Halat at the Punjabi Community

Centre
Photo: Sam Frost

Page 19
Strategic objectives 2005/08
In pursuit of our vision, Arts Services will:
Objective 1. Contribute to the economic health of the Borough by:
1.1 developing or supporting arts activities to put Swindon on the
cultural map regionally and nationally.
1.2 creating and delivering audience development initiatives.
1.3 marketing arts activity to promote Swindon as an attractive place to
live and work
1.4 continue to develop and deliver the Public Art policy through the
Percent for Art scheme
Objective 2. Broaden participation and address social inclusion,
regeneration and diversity needs by:
2.1 continuing to develop a culturally diverse arts programme.
2.2 supporting or undertaking arts projects in targeted communities
within Swindon.
2.3 researching, developing and implementing new approaches to
take arts activity out to people.
2.4 promoting access, ensuring that barriers to access are
minimised and that services comply fully with DDA legislation.
2.5 supporting access to disability arts activities.
2.6 developing and delivering workshop and short course
programmes
Objective 3. Engage with children and young people by:

3.1 supporting the strategic aims of the Artsmad initiative.

3.2 developing an appropriate and varied programme for people in
the age range 3 – 25.
3.3 ensuring at least one action research project each year.
3.4 providing opportunities for children and young people to work
with arts professionals.
Objective 4. Support local artists and art form development by:

4.1 providing an opportunities, guidance and skills support service.

4.2 encouraging cross art form and innovative practise.
4.3 providing access to equipment, technical support and subsidised
spaces.
4.4 developing the Planning the Renaissance forum for key strategic
arts organisations in Swindon.
4.5 continuing to commission arts activities from key partners.
Page 20
Objective 5. Improve co-operation and co-ordination between the
different sectors by:
5.1 developing the Artsminds forum.
5.2 working in partnership with key players to improve programming
across Swindon, to maximise impact and minimise duplication.
5.3 continuing to develop partnership agreements with key
strategic arts organisations.
Objective 6. Seek more efficient and cost effective methods of delivering
our services to the public by:
6.1 securing external funding for flagship projects.
6.2 developing relationships with key funders, sponsors and
businesses to identify and maximise opportunities.
6.3 building the capacity of the local voluntary, amateur and
professional arts sector.
Objective 7. Act as advocates for the arts by:
7.1 developing our skills in evaluating the impact of arts initiatives
7.2 working with colleagues and partners to develop shared
approaches.
7.3 promoting our successes effectively.
7.4 developing local supporters and champions.
Objective 8. Develop working practises that underpin these strategies by:
8.1 implementing a new structure for Arts Services in 2005/06.
8.2 developing our own skills base to match requirements.
8.3 implementing a performance management system in line with
council plans.
8.4 exploiting new technologies.
8.5 developing effective relationships across Council Directorates.

Enjoying a Music Roadshow

Photo: Richard Wintle
Page 21
Page 22
Staff contact information
Arts Services Manager
Helen Miah
Tel: 01793 466544
Email: hmiah@swindon.gov.uk

Senior Secretary
Jean Coleman
Tel: 01793 466467
Email: jcoleman@swindon.gov.uk

Arts Programming Manager

Clarry Bean
Tel: 01793 466565
Email: chbean@swindon.gov.uk

Arts Business and Development Manager

Stuart Webb
Tel: 01793 463225
Email: sjwebb@swindon.gov.uk

Senior Public Art Manager

Celia Yeoman
Tel: 01793 466517
Email: cyeoman@swindon.gov.uk

Marketing and Communications Manager

Jill Tomalin
Tel: 01793 466565
Email: jtomalin@swindon.gov.uk

Box Office/PR Assistant

Fay Pound
Tel: 01793 466565
Email: fpound@swindon.gov.uk

Festivals and Events Officer

Toby Rathbone
Tel: 01793 466522
Email: trathbone@swindon.gov.uk

Visual Arts Development Officer

Barbara Dixon
Tel: 01793 466520
Email: bdixon@swindon.gov.uk

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Digital, Film and Media Arts Development Officer
Keith Phillips
Tel: 01793 463678
Email: kphillips@swindon.gov.uk

Literature Development Officer

Matt Holland
Tel: 01793 771080
Email: matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk

Arts Administration [Operations]

Julie Thorn
Tel: 01793 463224
Email: jthorn@swindon.gov.uk

Technical Manager
Matthew Herring
Tel: 01793 466565
Email: mherring@swindon.gov.uk

New posts are currently being advertised:

Duty Manager
Digital, Film and Media Arts Technician
Arts Administration [Reception]
Box Office/PR Assistant

Arts Services also employ casual and volunteer staff as well as temporary project workers
and consultants.

Arts Services volunteers are managed by the Arts Business Team.

Arts Services are planning to introduce a Technical Trainee Apprenticeship scheme in

2005/06.

Wizard School
Photo: cre8 studios

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Priority projects and initiatives
2005/06
Artsmad
Mobile Media/Youth Service
Imaging Festival
Summer Street Festival
North Swindon Schools Public Art Programme
Swindon Festival of Literature
Artsminds
Brunel 200
Streets for Living
Artswords
World Bowl Series
Swindon Mela
TheatreWorks

Enjoying the Traditional Arts Projects Residency

Photo: Sam Frost

If you would like to comment on any aspect of this plan please contact:

Cllr. Justin Tomlinson

Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Recreation
Civic Offices
Euclid Street
Swindon
SN1 2JH

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