Swindon Borough Council
Head of Culture Swindon

July 2010

Big Arts Day Success

Well, after the success of the Big Arts Day it certainly seems like Swindon really does do arts! We will be hosting a seminar in the autumn with all the Swindon Does Arts partners to evaluate the success of this partnership and campaign and decide what next. You may have already heard that we intend to to do a Big Arts Day again in 2011 and we will be looking to get even more local arts partners involved. If you haven't registered yet with the Swindon Does Arts website please do so - it's the one-stop-shop for arts in Swindon - and where I will posting all announcements about next year's event. www.swindondoesarts.co.uk

If you came along to the Big Arts Day and haven't yet given us your feedback please do take a moment to complete our online survey, we need your views and ideas to make sure next year's event is even better! www.surveymonkey.com/s/bigartsday

If you're a regular reader of my blog you will now that I am passionate about ensuring everyone knows why the arts are important and the benefits participating can bring to improve our quality of life. Tomorrow I'm off to meet with some key government advisors and senior arts organisations (the Royal Opera House, the Tate, the Royal Shakespeare Company to name drop a few) to discuss how we can make the evidence for the arts more robust and accurate. Should be an interesting debate will let you know next time....

May 2010

Hey everyone, how are you getting on with making bunting for our Big Arts Experiment then? I am now on knitted one number 5 and getting much quicker the more I do. It’s fun mixing up different stitches and creating weird stripes and patterns. There are several workshops coming up where you can get some inspiration, pick up the patterns and templates or even make some on the spot. Our friends at Artsite will be making bunting at the next Hand Made Market event on Saturday 12 June, so why not pop in to the Post Modern Gallery on Theatre Square and make your contribution! There is even a crochet pattern, thanks to an old friend of mine in Yorkshire. Logon to www.bigartsday.co.uk or find us on Facebook.

The day is shaping up really well with an amazing programme of local and professional performers, workshops, stalls and loads of artsy stuff to do. My thanks to absolutely everyone who has got on board with this idea and is helping to make this happen. Let’s hope we get a sunny weekend like the one we’ve just had…

April 2010

Hi everyone, this month it's all about the Big Arts Experiment.

It was one of those mornings when driving to work I had an idea (and when I got in the office and told them my team they all hid under the table). What we need for our Big Arts Day is lots of bunting...what we need is to increase participation in the arts... why don't we get everyone in Swindon to be creative and make bunting pennants... we could even try to break the world record (yes there is one and it's currently 1.34 miles).

We could make them from any kind of material, knit them, crochet them, embroidery, batik, appliqué etc.and decorate them with buttons, sequins, fabric paint etc... And so another arts project was born!

I'm trying to do this as much as possible in a voluntary capacity and to see if we can do it for virtually no cost. Everyone has got a spare ball of wall, some old bits of material or buttons lying about. Pennants could very personal, say something about the creator or Swindon or the arts, in fact anything you like. You could make lots of different ones or lots the same, let your creative juices flow.

Launched on Facebook I've already got friends in Hull crocheting, my mum and her craft group in North Devon knitting furiously and a friend in Hawkesbury Upton has got her Brownies and Guides making them.

So is Swindon and are you up to the challenge?

Download the pennant template from Facebook (search The Big Arts Experiment) or the Swindon Does Arts website www.swindondoesarts.co.uk or pick up a flyer from venues across the town and get making!

Oh and when you're finished, drop them off at the Wyvern Theatre, the Arts Centre or the Samaritans shop (who are kindly sponsoring the project).

I'm off to finish knitting pennant no. 5

Helen

March 2010

Last month the Wiltshire & Swindon Arts Alliance organised a Regional Arts Day in Salisbury and we were treated to an inspirational presentation from Helen Marriage of Artichoke Productions and the mastermind behind bringing the Sultan's Elephant to London in 2006.

Helen shared her thoughts on producing major art events and challenged us all to worry less about "why not" and focus on "why we must" take art to the public.

She told us to "invade public spaces, places nobody owns", reminding us that "people are terratorial" and to recognise that "the city is the stage but it must accomodate the show". In the case of London and the Sultan's Elephant, that involved ripping out traffic light systems, digging up roads, cutting down trees and stopping all traffic through Piccadilly Circus!

Now I've long had a desire to host a major arts happening on the magic roundabout... I'll save that for another day!

But it got me thinking about our Big Arts Day at Lydiard Park on 10 July. How can we use Lydiard as our stage? How can we host an event that doesn't just treat the beautiful landscape as a nice backdrop, how can we make it unique to the venue and understand and interact with our heritage? With thanks to the Arts Council we have, alongside colleagues from Torbay and Dorset, commissioned Matt and Rob Vale, digital artists to create a finale show that will do just that. I can't wait to see what they come up with.

Till next month

January 2010

Hi everyone,

One of things I enjoy most about my job is the chance to work with so many different artists and art forms, and it gets even better when they cross over and work together. Most of you will know that my background is in dance and I'm sure part of the reason I enjoy it so much is the interaction with music and rhythm. I've had the privilege to work collaboratively with composers on a few occasions and there's nothing more exciting than the movement and music being developed simultaneously.

Of course creative minds can sometimes clash and sparks fly, but it all adds to the excitement. Artists are often inspired by other artists and different art forms. I really enjoyed the recent Angels exhibition at the Post Modern Gallery where the Artsite visual artists and Blue Gate poets had collaboratively explored the notion of angels in words and images.

Here in Swindon our artists and arts organisations work in partnership exceptionally well.

So what makes for successful partnership working? I believe it's about shared values, trust, integrity, honesty, maintaining a balance of respect and challenge, understanding each others needs and having a defined shared purpose.

Last week I was honoured to be able to show the Minister of State for Culture, Margaret Hodge MP, how effective our arts partnerships really are. She witnessed the unique social cohesion work of Create Studios and saw how Swindon Dance supports emerging regional artists. Students from Isambard Community School told her about how important the Artsmad Flux project was for them and Sixth Sense demonstrated issued based theatre at its very best. She asked challenging questions and was clearly interested and knowledgeable across a wide range of art forms and she was happy to wear a Swindon Does Arts sticker too!

September 2009

Hi all, this month a bit about public art...

Today I was thrilled to see the Blondini's fully refurbished and given a great new home in St Mark's Recreation ground, alongside the newly revamped children's playground. Huge congratulations to Tim Caroll for a wonderful restoration. Tim has carefully matched the colours of the original and was telling me how much he enjoyed seeing the detail of the faces up really close via the scaffolding tower needed to reach all around.

Talking of art in public places and the need for scaffolding I also need to congratulate Ken White for his superb restoration of the Golden Lion Bridge Mural on Fleming Way. Finding a way to get this work restored has been a long held ambition of mine so when Swindon Does Arts came along it seemed the perfect opportunity. Huge thanks to both artists for their passion and care, both works can now be enjoyed by thousands of Swindonians for many years to come.

Now then, can we manage to get the Wyvern public art scheme finished this autumn? I do hope so! You may have read in this month's Link Magazine about the troubles that have beset that particular project. Seems like everything that could go wrong has gone wrong but we are determined we will get it sorted and hopefully in time for the panto this year - some kind person reminded me just yesterday that Christmas is only four months away!! The plan is to get the vertical lights working so they rotate through a variety of colour spectrums and to get the infamous Wyvern back up, but this time way up on the Fly Tower where he will be floodlit and able to "watch over" the culture quarter. Seems simple doesn't it but...

Public Art schemes are often complex and longwinded involving a variety of planning regulations, public consultations and developer partnerships. Public indemnities and insurance can also be problematic and perseverance is always a prerequisite. I believe the end results are more than worth it and it is the art in public places that help to define a town, to give it soul, pride and character. Often controversial new schemes are either loved or hated but always talked about.

I'd be interested in your thoughts on our public art here in Swindon, what do you love or hate, what would you like to see in future developments, are there other works we should restore or perhaps decommission? Drop me a line via the Swindon Does Arts website - www.swindondoesarts.co.uk

August 2009

...and now for something completely different. This month I am going to tell you the story of my red tap shoes. What? Why?

Well over at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery they are busy preparing a new exhibition all about shoes, the history of shoes and more importantly the stories they tell. Barbara asked me if I had any important shoes I had kept and why. Simple, I have kept my red tap shoes circa 1977 because they are very special to me.

I wore them for a number of exams including my advanced tap and when I was awarded the tap cup for best performance in an exam. This was a very special day for me as unusually the examiner chose me to win even though there were students entered for higher grades, it was traditional to award cups to the most advanced student so this was breaking with tradition (something I seem to do often in life!)

So that's why I kept them but more interestingly when I dug them out of the loft and started comparing them with the tap shoes of today I realised just how much has changed in 30 years. In those days the metal plates "the taps" were riveted on to the soles. We used to spend hours wriggling a two pence coin underneath the front rivet to lift it out so that the tap was lose and would make a better sound.

These days the metal plates have carbon underneath and are made with them loose to create the depth of sound. We also used to deliberately tap on hard surfaces like concrete to wear the taps down again to make better sound. The taps on these shoes are so thin they almost disappear into the leather sole which is virtually worn out too. When found they had one white lace and one red ribbon, must have been just as I left them the last time they were worn!

I wonder whether your shoes tell a story? What shoes have you kept (I've also got the first shoes I bought for each of my lads - ahh!). Visit the exhibition and have a look.Now where did I put those flip flops, enjoy the holidays!

July 2009

Trying to concentrate on writing my blog whilst watching Glastonbury... hmmm not a good idea, but it's got me thinking...about the extraordinary power of music to unite people. Just watching the thousands singing along with Blur, suspended in time, the crowd now unaccompanied, what a feeling...This month seems to have been all about music. I happen to know there has been much talk of the need for a new larger live music venue in Swindon. I think we all agree there's a demand, the Oasis is proving popular with national promoters, but it's a big step up from the pubs and clubs. The Bowl is wonderful (as long as the sun is shining!) and unfortunately only licensed for a limited number of gigs.

We are having a complete review of the Culture Swindon Bowl Programme, which again this year includes Swindon Invincible so tell us what you'd like to see next year by completing our quick online survey. If you've not yet discovered the Swindon Does Arts website it's another great way to find out all about music in Swindon. Dedicated pages, info, events, directories it's all there and you can register for free and upload all your details too. The site is also the home of the Swindon Music Forum, which is busy planning next year's activities set to include another seminar with Radio 1 in the autumn. And watch out for another musical Swindon Does Arts Hero to be announced any day now. That's enough from me gotta sing along with Park Life!

May 2009

Hello everyone I’m back, fully recovered from the Big Weekend – or just about!

I have to admit it was an absolutely amazing experience, undoubtedly one of the highlights of my career to date, right up there with my boys dance group performing for HRH the Queen (sorry been watching far too much Britain’s Got Talent this week) I didn’t actually get to see all that many performances as I was working all weekend – you may have spotted our Swindon Does Arts tent, or better still have been “got” with a Swindon Does Arts sticker?

How cool was that we got to have our very own spot inside the arena to show off the artistic talents of our youngsters with the amazing graffiti – oops I mean urban art – wall. Huge thanks to Lyndsay, Steve and the youth service crew, fabulous job folks and I spotted Andy Parfitt, Controller of Radio 1, pointing it out to his VIP’s when he whizzed round in his buggy. We had Sixth Sense Theatre for Young People out entertaining the gathering crowds before the gates opened with some wild and wacky street theatre, and of course the team of young documentors recording absolutely everything on photo and film, getting interviews and collecting evidence to tell the story of Radio 1 coming to Swindon.

For me that was what it was really all about, young people, a chance for them to feel proud of their town, for the town to do something for them and for us to celebrate and party as a community. How the folks at Nova Hreod managed to keep it a complete secret that the Switch posse were going to turn up and do a live gig at lunch time with special guests Ironik and JLS I’ll never know. And the cheer that went up when they realised what was going on… well I don’t think I’ve ever heard so many teenagers scream all the same time – you certainly needed ear defenders then. I’ve not even mentioned the Ice Disco, any of the fantastic Fringe gigs, the Big Bank Holiday extravaganza, the Careers Fair…. I could go on and on… but I’ll finish with my personal highlight wild dancing to the awesome Prodigy, inside the barriers, in front of the speakers, treading on the security guards toes… if you’d told me a year ago… blimey whatever next?

March 2009

Radio 1 Big Weekend launch

Blimey, what a surreal day. Up at 5.30am, collect Steve and Sherylee and head for O'Neils. Met at the door by Nathalie from Radio 1 and a bunch of friendly security folk. Get given a wrist band - wonder how many of those I will collect over the coming weeks?

Step inside and... there's Chris Moyles broadcasting the breakfast show live in the corner. Everyone is friendly and relaxed, lounging about drinking coffee. A few mics have been set up and I'm nudged with a "that's N Dubz" from Sherylee who immediately gets to work with the camera we've borrowed from Create.

A few tables are moved and a tray of bacon and sausage sandwiches arrives, have a bit of a fight with the ketchup bottle, am assisted by O'Neils staff who are equally bemused by the whole thing although standing out with their funny Irish hats - reminded it's St Patrick's day, noticed quite a few pints of the black stuff also being consumed, though hasten to add not by the Radio 1 team.

Sound check time and N Dubz surprise me, a really crisp and clean sound, can't see too much evidence of technical wizardry so pretty confident this are their real voices. Pop outside for a chat with the police who are wondering if anyone will turn up and I sneak them in for a cup of coffee and to listen to the live performance.

Chris is now on a roll and "forgets" he's not supposed to announce our precise location, lots of eyes roll but too late it's out the Big Weekend is coming to Swindon and we are in O'Neils, police hurry back outside just in case...

Meanwhile the girl from N Dubz is giving Chris as good as she gets in a funny and frank exchange of views interview, where he is clearly trying to chat her up. N Dubz head off after lots of photos outside and a quick chat to the police - more photos! A few moments later the guys from Snowpatrol wander in carrying their own guitars. The mics are moved about and more sound checking, now this is gonna be cool...

Chris carries on with his usual bombastic chit chat and then the press arrive. Unfortunately I get pushed out of my neat corner spot by a big photographer but I decide to climb up on a chair so get an even better view - being small I'm well used to standing on chairs and have a good sense of balance. Chris introduces Snowpatrol and the first few bars ring out when... the pub phone rings... brilliant all mobiles are switched off but no-one remembered the land line.

No worries, a restart and immediately the atmosphere is electric,an acoustic version of Take Back the City and we all know this really is a unique moment. Rapturous applause... lots of photos and we are all ushered out... my mind is racing....

Head up to the Wyvern for the official press launch... and this is just the start... watch out Swindon the Big Weekend is coming!

Swindon Does Arts

This week I have been thrilled to award the first two Swindon Does Arts Heroes Awards to Sally Taylor and Bill Cox from Artsite. Launched in Frequency in January the Swindon Does Arts Heroes campaign aims to recognise 50 people who have made a significant difference to the arts in Swindon. Nominations need to be sent to me and consist of no more than a few sentences about why you think they deserve the award. There will only ever be 50 Swindon Does Arts Heroes, make sure you nominate yours! Sally and Bill have been instrumental in developing the Artsite collective and been tireless in advocating and developing artists studios and gallery space in Swindon.

The newly opened Post Modern is certainly a unique place providing artists with space to create and exhibit their work. The opening exhibition curated by Sally shows the wealth of talent we have here in Swindon and includes a wide variety of styles and genres, a tiny taste of more to come. I was privileged to be shown some of the studios and this is the bit I always enjoy the most, seeing the work in progress gives a unique insight in to the creative process, each artist is reflected in their own spaces, individual yet drawn together by their shared ambition to make art.

If you haven't visited yet I strongly recommend it and congratulations Sally and Bill, well deserved!

January 2009

Hello again everyone, sorry I haven't updated for a while, been very busy  But I'm not going to write about me this month, well at least not directly...

In April Think Swindon month will encourage all of us to think again about ourselves and our society. Plans are well in hand with many events, including the Anne Frank Exhibition in the former Reference Library. This month also saw the 1911 census go live online and it got me thinking about where I come from. I know my great grandmother was a suffragette but not much else. I decided I needed to find out more and the best place to start? My mum!

Well what did I start, within 24 hours mum had emailed me the most amazing photos and info. I was right - my great grandmother [Kate Bailey Malin White born 1867] was a suffragist, a non militant follower of Millicent Fawcett.

My grandmother [Barbara Malin White Pickup born 1904] claimed that one of her earliest memories was of being taken by her father [William White born 1862] to see her mother take part in a peaceful demonstration. This was well before the outbreak of WWI and the fact that her father supported her mother’s desire for womens' rights, particularly to access higher education, was most unusual.

I also discovered that my great aunt, who I know I am named after, [Edith Helen Grace - Helen - born 1900] studied at the Slade School of Art. Theses pictures were drawn in 1919.

I am still investigating and will share my findings with you over the coming months. What do you know about your ancestors? Find out more…..

November 2008

Well the best laid plans... I never got to my third conference in Darlington, instead I spent 3.5hrs in stationary traffic on the M1!! Don't worry, I'm not going to rant about our aging and decrepit transport system but it does make you think about whether all this haring around the country to experience cultural treats is going to be sustainable... and if it isn't... will we all start to need even more cultural activity to be available locally?

Of course we have loads of fantastic cultural experiences on offer here in Swindon but I'm interested to know what are the bits we haven't got? What would you want to be able to do here in Swindon that you can't right now?

For my part most of it is to do with size and scale of venues. Lots of you know that dance is my specialism and thanks to Swindon Dance I generally get to see exceptionally high quality performances here in Swindon. Even so, the Wyvern stage isn't big enough to accommodate a full scale ballet so occasionally I do enjoy a trip to the Royal Opera House. I also enjoy musical theatre and again we have some great stuff here in Swindon, and not just from visiting companies - our home grown companies like SALOS do a sterling job too.

I was very sorry to have missed Thoroughly Modern Millie last week but the bits I heard from my office sounded great! So the odd trip to the West End also features for me.

Hmmm, now what else? Well rock concerts: although I haven't been to anything for a while I am heading up to the NEC on Friday to see Paul Weller. Again the Oasis are doing a good job here but the really big acts will always demand bigger venues. On a smaller scale the local music scene is going from strength to strength and I'm delighted to see the Alfonz representing Swindon on the SW Teenage Rampage tour. And here's an interesting fact I learnt this week, did you know that according to the Swindon Music Service research over 10,000 young people are learning musical instruments in Swindon [I think it is even more as I'm not sure if that includes all the private tuition] that's an awful lot of school concerts.

So, what do you think? I'd be really interested to hear when and why you go outside to see and experience culture.

Autumn 2008

Conferences, conferences and conferences...

That's what the autumn is all about. There are the political ones of course but I've also been involved in two already.

"Designing Our Futures", the first conference to be hosted by the Wiltshire and Swindon Arts Alliance www.wsaa.org.uk, was held at Salisbury Playhouse. Over 70 delegates from across the county and beyond gathered to debate big issue stuff like, "Why do we value the arts?", "How should local authorities support arts activities?" and, "Why are the arts important to local communities?".

The roles of the Arts Council and Department for Culture, Media and Sport were challenged and much coffee and networking chat seemed to be about the monster of a question "How do we assess quality?" –– and no we didn't reach any conclusions!

My role, as Chair of W&SAA, was to open and close the day and I was surprisingly nervous. I'm well used to public speaking but presenting to your peers is always the toughest challenge. Which leads me nicely on to conference number two.The nalgao [National Association of Local Government Arts Officers] annual conference is the highlight of the year for most arts officers and attracts a large audience of over 250. This year we gathered in sunny - oh yes it was - Blackpool. My first trip to this extraordinary town.

What a place, grade 1 listed heritage buildings of absolutely breathtaking beauty intertwined with the best and the worst seaside stuff! We saw the illuminations, run down shops, riot police, amazing public art, decadent opera houses, big dippers that made me feel sick just looking at, burlesque cabaret and much much more.

As with last year's trip to Cambridge I was accompanied by Cllr Rod Bluh, this time we'd been invited to give a good practice case study on getting arts in to Local Area Agreements. It was even more scary than opening the W&SAA conference, this audience really know their stuff and I was mightily releived they found our presentation useful and stimulating. Next year we are bringing the nalgao conference to Swindon and I'm already worried about how to top the Tower Ballroom for a feature venue - ideas on a postcard please!

2 July 2008

What a busy couple of months! I've been appointed “Head of Culture”, which means that, along with my existing Arts Services responsibilities, I'm now looking after Heritage. So fantastic Swindon jewels like Lydiard and the Museum are now in my remit.

Now, you can imagine my workload – which is a longwinded way of apologizing for not updating this blog recently!

First of all, I just want to say I'm very excited by the opportunities this new role presents to raise the profile of all things cultural in Swindon. For me culture is the lifeblood of society and I am determined to make sure that everyone in Swindon knows about, takes part in, and most importantly enjoys all our cultural facilities and services.

There are many exciting opportunities on the horizon – delivering on Promise 27 to find a new home for the Swindon Collections, rethinking our marketing and communications strategy – you may have seen our special Summer Supplement in the new look Swindon News? Getting smarter about how we coordinate our big festivals and events and, of course, continuing to ensure we deliver an exciting programme of arts and cultural activities.

So that’s what’s coming up, what about now?

Most of my team members are still recovering from the Swindon Summer Festival and the Bowl Benefit gig.

Both of these events were fantastic and a big thank you not just to staff and everyone involved but also to all of you who attended, making them both really memorable occasions.

In other news, I’m delighted to say that the Wiltshire and Swindon Arts Alliance (affectionately known as W&SAA!) has a website. For more info on this strategic arts partnership and cultural news in the area check it out here.

26 May

Well I did it... I went back on stage after 18 years and you know what... I loved it!  The Aunty Betty Memorial Show was an amazing and fitting tribute to a much loved and respected dance teacher who had a significant influence over, not just mine but, thousands of lives.

Ilfracombe expressed it’s thanks in true community style with a sell-out show at the Land Mark Theatre, raising over £6,000 for The North Devon Hospice.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself... seeing all the girls l used to dance with as a child, meeting new ones (too young for me to have known then) 30 of us in a dressing room designed for 10, you have no choice but to muck in!

I was very nervous but determined not to let the side down. Most of the girls had been rehearsing every weekend for the last few months, I only managed two rehearsals but luckily the memory seemed to cope and I had an absolute ball.  I kept Aunty Betty’s “eyes and teeth” motto in my head and smiled till my jaws ached.

And the best bit… getting to wear silver sparkly eye shadow!

8 May 2008

Hello everyone, blimey has it been a busy month. I’ve got soo much to tell you… let’s start with some personal stuff.

Aunty Betty

Well, we had our weekend of rehearsals for the Aunty Betty Memorial Show on Sunday 26 May 2008 at the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe [bad luck if you were hoping to gatecrash and see me performing – it’s SOLD OUT!]

We learnt four dances and six songs, including a high kick routine and lots of tap. I managed to get a BIG blister on my right heel – bloomin tap shoes, a big bruise on my knee – bloomin splits and an aching body – bloomin dancing but I had an absolute ball. All the steps came flooding back and I’m in my old place front row, stage left so I have to lead everyone on and am always last to get off!! Now then just gotta get some practice in and try to remember the order all the steps come in…

Benefit Gig

A bit more personal stuff that also links to work stuff…

Have you heard that the Arts Services Team are putting on a very special Big, Bowl Benefit Gig? It’s Saturday 31 May at the Bowl, Old Town Gardens, and we are all donating our time and skills for free to try to raise some money for some much-needed repairs to the fabric of the Bowl.

We have an amazing line up of acts for you, including the debut performance from my very own son no. 2’s band Any Day Now. This bunch of youngsters from Isambard School are being championed by Kirsty Carter our Artsmad Director and the band has been created through the Flux Rockschool.

• Clarry (Bean, Arts Centre),
• Jane (Shrimpton, Arts Centre),
• Kirsty (Carter, Artsmad)
• and Matt (Davis, Arts Centre) are forming a quartet,
• Marilyn (Fitzgerald, Mobile Media) is brushing up on her comedy act
• and Fay (Billingham, Arts Centre) and I will be teaching a dance to accompany…wait for it….

Our Chief Executive’s band Aeshna. This is the first time Gavin has performed in Swindon and, judging from their myspace area, we are all in for a very special treat!

Head of Culture

Back to the work stuff and you may have heard that I’ve now been appointed Head of Culture for Swindon Borough Council.

I am really excited about all the opportunities that this offers for arts and heritage to work more closely together and am currently trying to work out just how much stuff I’m now responsible for.

I will try to keep you updated with how I’m getting on in the coming months, that is if anyone does actually read this cause I never get any feedback ;-) So please send feedback!

27 February 2008

This month I am dedicating my blog to a very special colleague who is retiring this week from SBC after 21 years.

Lots of you will know the wonderful Jean Coleman. Jean is one of those unsung heroes, she has quietly, efficiently and always in the background, done masses to support the development of culture and the arts in Swindon. For many years Jean has been the first point of contact for anyone and everyone needing information about the arts and culture. She knows everyone and everything. She treats everyone with true professionalism, caring passionately about the service she personally delivers and handing out nuggets of advice and guidance along the way.

On a personal level Jean has been the most supportive colleague imaginable. She has taught me an incredible amount, she always seems to know when I need a quiet shoulder, a cup of coffee or, better still, a biscuit. She is a great proofreader and knows exactly how apostrophes should be used! She’s never been afraid to express her opinions or suggest better ways to do things, and she doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Maybe there is a hint of bossiness but aren’t all the best organisers a bit bossy at times?

Whilst we all wish Jean every happiness in her well-deserved retirement I am also delighted that she has decided to continue to be involved with the arts. Jean is our latest volunteer recruit and will be supporting me in the office about two days a week. She is also going to join the Artsminds Development Group, where I’m sure she will use her inimitable organisational skills to whip us in to shape!

Thanks for everything Jean, you are an arts star indeed!

...and for those of you who like the personal gossip...

This month I have been busy trying to sort rehearsal dates for a very special show in May. My old dancing teacher died just before Christmas and her funeral in January was a really amazing day. Known as Aunty Betty to thousands she taught dance in Ilfracombe for over 40 years and was the inspiration for thousands of pupils, spanning three generations. On the day I caught up with friends from those very early childhood days - yup when I was a womble! Someone had the idea that we should stage a show in her honour and dance again all the old routines... her grandson Mark [just 23] has set about organising it all and the event at the Landmark Theatre is being staged to raise funds for the North Devon Hospice.

Trying to fix a weekend when we can all get together is hard work but it looks as if our first rehearsal will be in March, better dust off those tap shoes! We are also going to do a kick line routine as Aunty Betty was a Tiller Girl in her youth, so I had also better start trying to get in shape.

Finally for this bumper edition, did any of you see Swindon's latest theatre company, Empire Theatre Company's launch production of 42nd Street last week? If you missed it you missed a real treat, these youngsters brought a wonderful dynamic energy to the Wyvern with their energy and exuberance in what was indeed a highly professional production. I was worried the Wyvern roof would literally blow off with the stampeding applause from a very appreciative audience. I am therefore delighted that ETC are in discussion to stage a special Christmas Show at the Arts Centre this year and I urge you to watch this space as there is clearly lots more great nights of entertainment from this talented group.

19 December 2007

Blimey, another year comes to an end. I thought this month I'd do a bit of a review for you. A sort of Helen's best bits of 2007...

January - Sixth Sense Theatre for Young People's production of Jabberwocky. This Swindon based company has been producing outstanding drama for schools for over 20 years, and their fabulous new production certainly didn’t disappoint!

February -The Commonweal School music competition where I first came across the outrageously talented trio otherwise Known as the Alfonz.

March - we finally took delivery of the state of the art digital media centre on wheels - the FluxMobile. And it was definitely worth all the waiting and all the stress!

April – Swindon Youth Dance Company celebrated their 10^th birthday with a party and special performance at the Town Hall. Some great new and original choreography from the young people and a gorgeous new work from their Director Helen Ganberg.

May - the magical and magnificent Swindon Festival of Literature - need I say more... and the re-launch of our own Create Studios now based in fantastic new accommodation here at the Wyvern.

June - young@art, our own free Festival of delights for families and children took centre stage outside Debenhams. The shows were enthralling and the specially hired seating was a triumph for comfort.

July - it has to be the jewel of the cultural calendar the stunningly successful Swindon Mela and thank goodness it didn't rain!

August - the climax of the ever-popular Bowl Concert season starring Alex Wilson's Salsa Orchestra - we love taking a picnic and dancing whilst the sun sets over Old Town Gardens.

September - if you missed the superb Swindon Shuffle in July there was another chance to catch up with all the best bits at the Sugar Hill Festival at Liddington Farm. And of course the Wyvern finally re-opened too!

October - the black history exhibition and performance at the Arts Centre. A fabulous way to celebrate our rich cultural heritage. Made even more poignant as this was the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade.

November - Motionhouse Dance Company at the Wyvern blew me and my lads away with their stunning skill and pure physicality. Swindon Dance has supported this dynamic company for many years.

December - watching my middle son debut with his band “Any Day Now” at the Isambard School Flux Christmas Concert!

So what have you enjoyed in 2007? Drop me a line be great to know your favourites too.

And finally wishing you all a very happy festive season!

8 November 2007

This month I think I will put you all out of your misery and finish my potted career story.

So...

It's 1998 and we have relocated to Swindon. Why Swindon? Well I took a job at Cirencester College and we couldn't afford to buy there! Stroud was too rural and off the beaten track for my city loving other half who had stumbled across a big new housing development, otherwise known as north Swindon. It all happened very fast. I got the job in mid July and had to start at the end of August. I wasn't going to commute or leave my young family so a quick part exchange and we were here.

Our new home was great - all that was missing was a primary school but that was being built at Abbey Meads. I got myself on the temporary governing body. It would be a good way to meet people and learn more about this new community I figured, and it was!

As a governor I saw another side to education and when a job came up as a professional assistant for the Director of Planning and Resources for Swindon Local Education Authority I decided to go for it. I look back now and am very grateful for those 18 months spent on a wide variety of projects. Everything from project managing the redevelopment of Park South infant and junior schools to reviewing school transport to planning school places and the new schools for Priory Vale. I learnt lots and enjoyed my first experience of being a local government officer. But the pull of the arts was still strong and when I was encouraged to apply for the new position of Director of Performing Arts at Churchfields School another chapter opened.

As a specialist arts college it was my role to develop strong partnerships with the professional arts sector. So it was in this job that I started to get to know the Swindon arts scene. Sixth Sense Theatre for Young People, Swindon Dance and Swindon Music Service were all partners. I met Toby Rathbone, then Performing Arts Officer, and discovered the Swindon Summer Festival. Trips to the Wyvern, part time lecturing at New College and lots of artist residencies all added to the mix.

I had no idea what to do next

But it was a difficult time to be a teacher at Churchfields, the school was in special measures and it had been 14 years since I last taught teenagers. It wasn't really what I wanted to do and so for the first time in my life I decided to leave a job without any real idea of what next.

I continued to lecture on the A Level Dance course at New College and began a year teaching at was then called the ACES Project. Based at the Oakfield campus the project provided full time highly focused learning opportunities for 14-16 year olds at risk of under achievement. I found this work stimulating, challenging, rewarding and frustrating in equal measures. It is very hard being so close to young people whose lives lack the security most of us take for granted.

As often happens, changes in funding meant that ACES needed to change and I needed to find another job. I sat surfing one lunchtime and saw an ad for a Strategic Arts and Community Officer for Swindon Borough Council. So in September 2003 that is what I became. A few job title changes later and here I am Head of Arts.

More next month...

20 September 2007

Another busy month for me with lots of exciting things to tell you. It started with the annual nalgao (National Association of Local Government arts officers) conference in Cambridge. This year the theme was all about the role that the arts can play in developing and regenerating communities. This is particularly relevant here in Swindon with so much growth being planned and it was therefore really great that the Leader of Swindon Borough Council, Cllr. Rod Bluh was able to join me.

What a fabulous opportunity for him to experience the world of local government arts first hand. On the way back I asked him what he had learnt. His first response was, "well I now know that arts officers aren't really all that wacky!" I think what he meant was they are actually very professional and have an excellent understanding of the key issues facing both the arts and local government as a whole.

Unique

We were treated to lots of practical examples from around the country on the impact that the arts can make in developing communities. We visited a unique development of artists studios, Wysling Arts Centre. This rural centre is undergoing a major capital development and provides affordable studio spaces and professional support for all forms of visual artists. We heard about show homes being used to host arts activities for a new community, exciting plans for a major public art work on the Severn Bridge, artists working on regenerating physical landscapes and a series of festivals in Oldham which are improving community cohesion. The Rt. Hon. Margaret Hodge, Minister for Culture, addressed us on her key priorities and why she believes the arts are important. She said Government is more than aware of the importance of the creative industries in both economic and social terms and that she herself likes to play the piano - Chopin - to unwind after a hard day!

With over 200 delegates from across the country the conference was jammed packed with ideas, discussion and debate. Inevitably there was hot debate about how we define participation in the arts - is Karaoke an art form? And what about audience engagement, is being an audience member a purely passive activity? Then there's the gritty issue of what is art? Hmmmm, well guess what no clear answers there! But there was a unanimous agreement that the arts are central to our lives and must continue to thrive and develop.

Here are some photos from the official photographer Bob Clayden - notice his artistic streak!

Renaissance Day

On Monday I hosted ''Planning the Renaissance 3", at the Arts Centre. The day enabled me to hear the views of over 70 creative artists and organisations on how to develop the arts in Swindon. Top of the needs list and of no surprise is a multipurpose and flexible gallery space, closely followed by affordable artist studios and a growing demand for a big purpose built music venue. On the positives the sector now feels much better coordinated and there are lots of highly successful partnerships delivering exciting arts activities. For a full report of the day click here.

The arts team will now be spending some time looking at all the ideas and suggestions to see which ones can be taken forwards. Watch this space to see what we plan to do next!

Wyvern Theatre

Tomorrow marks the opening of the Wyvem Theatre after the well-publicised refurbishment. Having been involved in this project all year it will be fantastic to finally see it all open again. I do hope you will all find time to visit the theatre and would love to hear your reactions. As ever, please do send me your feedback, sorry no time for a career history update this month… you’ll have to log on again next month for the story of how I came to Swindon nine years ago!

15 August 2007

It’s blog writing time again and this month I am going to do some unashamed promotion! I have no idea how many of you actually read this, but I do know someone who does because he has asked me to help promote his new band. So here are the details for a brand new band called Talk in Code who are making their debut performance on Thursday 23 August at Riffs Bar at 8.00pm. You can find out more about Talk in Code by visiting www.myspace.com/talkincode and lots of luck and good wishes for your debut from me and the Arts Services Team!

(Here's the press release they sent me - check it out:

"Having moved on from considerable time in other groups, bandmates from Talk In Code met through a combination of chance meetings, curiosity, drunken banter and not to mention the simple love of making music! Being all Swindon based made forming a little easier and things didn't take long to start moving..... The name is taken from a feeling that portrays a confused state of mind combined with thing's just not making sense.

From initial brainstorming sessions through spring 07, the music soon developed into something electric and the ideas were knocked into shape with almost immediate effect. The songs are forged around an emotion based theme and how we all deal with what life throws at us differently..... The melodies boast anthemic, charismatic attitude underpinned by fizzy, solid rhythm's to stunning effect. Keyboards and soaring guitars lend bundles of atmosphere whilst subtleties keep the listener engaged!

LIVE is top of the agenda for the band with a promise of an energetic, absorbing performance with plenty of edge and no doubt a few spontaneous outbursts along the way!

Talk In Code is a band that shows direction and a band that displays clear purpose and cause. ")

Talking of Riffs Bar, which I was, before the press release, what a fabulous evening we had there last week. Artsminds – the Swindon network and forum for artistic and creative types – had their summer strictly no agenda gathering at Riffs, where we treated to great live music from The Attica Seasons. Yet again I was bowled over by the sheer weight of musical talent we have here in Swindon and I’m really looking forward to the Swindon Shuffle stage at the Sugar Hill Festival on the 8-9 September.

Before I get off the subject completely I must just mention the hugely talented young band the Alfonz. I’ve now seen them twice and been so impressed by their maturity and professionalism I had to pinch myself to remember they aren’t even old enough to buy a drink yet! If you’ve not seen them I suggest you head to Riffs this Thursday. I’m planning to take along my three lads all of whom are keen musicians, I’m hoping they will be inspired enough to practice even harder themselves!

Mela

So what else has been happening this month? Well, of course I must mention the magnificent Mela. What a feast of delight we were treated to, the sun shone, the food was fantastic and the atmosphere was amazing. It was as if Swindon came out to party and with over 17,000 visitors the Mela once again comes firmly in first place as the most popular Swindon cultural event. A special thank you to everyone involved in making it happen, especially Riz and the Mela Executive, Liz and Matt from Arts Services. You do a brilliant job and I’m already looking forward to Swindon Mela 08!

It was the Salsa night at the Bowl on Saturday and we were able to round off this years rather weather beaten season with an evening of sheer summer pleasure. A packed Bowl danced the night away to the sexy sounds of Alex Wilson and his orchestra of sensational musicians. I took along my family, 4 males, none of whom would dance with me – so no embarrassing photos there then! It was lovely to see the Bowl filled with hundreds of happy faces and I love the family friendly nature of this wonderful and unique venue.

My backstory continued...

And finally, here is yet another chapter in the history of how I ended up as Arts Services Manager. It is now 1991 and I am on the move again…

Next stop Yeovil in sleepy South Somerset. Heading back west was always in my plans, and the opportunity to take up a new Head of Dance position at Yeovil College was my dream job. I remember reading the job description with my jaw hanging open. If I could have written my ideal job description this would have been it. Teaching A Level and BTEC National Diploma Dance and Performing Arts, setting up and being the Artistic Director for a new youth dance company, developing a community dance programme, directing and choreographing college productions, I was in heaven!

Seven very happy years followed when, as well as enjoying my work, I managed to find time to get married and have three boys! I was fortunate to have a great team of colleagues to work with, an inspirational boss and lots of wonderful students to work with. It is a real pleasure to teach 16 –19 year olds. Generally by this time they are totally committed to the arts and many of them have ambition to make a career in the profession. It’s a proud moment when your students are offered places at prestigious colleges! Of course not all of them have the talent or the determination to make it and as a personal tutor I always found this task the hardest.

Check back next month when the final stop in the journey takes me to Swindon!

Don't forget I welcome your feedback.

12 July 2007

This month we've had the exciting announcement that the Wyvern will re-open in September. I have been involved in this project for almost a year and, amongst other things, chose the colour for the new seats. So, yup, blame me if you don't like them!

It's has been a steep learning curve to completely refurbish a theatre and re-instate all the technology and kit. You would not believe how much cable is needed nor how hard everyone involved has worked. I know it seems like a long time but the refit work only began in January and you really will be amazed by the transformation. Don't miss your chance to see for yourself by coming to the open weekend.

So, have you been to any of our summer events yet? The Classical Bowl concert on Saturday was fabulous.

The City of London Sinfonia played a wonderful selection of well loved classics (most having featured as TV adverts or theme tunes at some stage), followed by a last night of the proms traditional finale. And the fireworks - well, words fail me. I have never seen such wonderful colours and we even had a second round for the encore. I must say a very special thank you to our Festivals and Events officer Liz who worked very hard to make it happen.

This Saturday is Baka Beyond another musical treat in the beautiful Old Town bowl.

I can also recommend the latest exhibition at the Arts Centre. Ken White's paintings of our railway town are evocative, emotional, full of depth and started me imagining life before blogs and concrete!

Finally for this month, another instalment in the Helen career, and no embarrassing photos this time!

My first teaching job was at Denbigh High School in Luton. I was their first ever dance teacher and on a mission to make sure they all enjoyed it! I was given an old school gym as a studio and pretty much a free reign on what to teach.

As a young teacher it was a bit odd being closer to the kids in age than the rest of the staff, but that was a big advantage as I knew all the "in" music. This was 1989 and hip hop was big, the kids taught me some moves and I taught them a few and together we created some great dances. I ran clubs every lunchtime, and after school, and soon the dance studio became the place to hang out. I had a boys-only club, quite a few of them told their parents and friends they were going to football practice!

Our first show turned them in to superstars though and they were invited to perform at a number of regional platforms, including at the East of England Show in 1990 attended by HM the Queen.

Enough for now... don't forget I welcome your feedback.

13 June 2007

First off this month I have to say a huge congratulations to our very own Fay who got married this week! Many of you will know Fay as she has been with Arts Services for several years now and taken on quite a few roles, first as Box Office Assistant, then Marketing and now Admin. Fay looked amazing when we saw her last night, absolutely perfect with her “up, down, down up” hair and gorgeous strapless dress. We wish Fay, Ben and little Ella lots of love and happiness for the future!

Typically the wedding clashed with our very own Clarry and family Bean performance at the Arts Centre. I am sure that was also a roaring success, judging form the quality of the CD they have made and which is now on my ipod with pride. All proceeds from the concert and CD are going to the Prospect House, find out how to get hold of a copy yourself.

I think I might have told one or two people about how I got a Blue Peter badge recently so I thought I would share the story with all of you before the rumours get about! It was 1973 [ish] and the Wombles had hit our screen with a vengeance, the recycling virtues of these strange creatures that lived on Wimbledon Common were surely way ahead of the times? I needed a new song and dance routine for my next exam and quite liked the song. Before I knew it my mum had sourced some brown fur and was busy making me an Orinoco costume, complete with floppy hat and shiny red nose.So when Blue Peter had the Wombles band on Lesley Judd claimed it was the first time she had seen a Womble tap dance I just had to write and put her straight. I was hoping for an invite to the programme to demonstrate my own Womble tap dance but had to make do with a Blue Peter badge instead!

Now that is all sorted out here’s a bit more of the journey to Arts Manager…

When I left Middlesex in 1984 with my BA Hons Performance Arts I wasn’t at all sure what I was going to do next. Careers advice was somewhat limited and I was determined to find a way to work in the industry.A spell in the Box Office at the Victoria Apollo where Starlight Express was running wasn’t quite what I had in mind and the pay hardly covered the rent and travel in London. It was time for a rethink, 6 months back home in North Devon working at the family theme park Watermouth Castle and pulling pints in the local pub was a quick way to pay off the overdraft. By now I had secured a place to do a Post Graduate Certificate of Education in Dance at Bedford College. Interestingly at the time there were only two colleges in the UK where you could train to teach dance in schools. I knew I had done the right thing when that summer my old school invited me back to choreograph, design and build the set, create the lighting design, stage manage and do the marketing for a production of Joseph. I loved it, working with the kids was brilliant we did a week run as part of the National Youth Festival in Ilfracombe to packed audiences and standing ovations! I was hooked teaching arts was great…

Finally for this month I just want to say a huge thanks to my very quick thinking staff, Ali and Matt especially for averting a major disaster at the Arts Centre today, a serious flood was dealt with efficiently and effectively although Stuart did cheekily suggest we should diversify to include snorkelling!

16 May 2007

Hello again, I’m back with my first update. I have had some great feedback following my first blog and lots of teasing about the photos! Several of you have asked how I got to my present job, so there’s a bit more of the history at the end of this installment.

Firstly the big news for May is that Create Studios is re-launching in their new home here at the Wyvern. This is very exciting for all of us. For many years cre8 [same organization, new grown up spelling now!] had been housed in the top floor of the Town Hall. Whilst there were lots of advantages in sharing a home with Swindon Dance, the access was very limited and the space totally unsuitable for a 21^st century cutting edge digital, film and media organization.

With support from Swindon Borough Council we have been able to convert the former Joliffe Studios at the Wyvern to create a unique state-of-the-art digital media centre. This includes four mini starter units or incubators, which can house emerging creative industries and artists.

The idea is that Create will be able to provide support, facilities and expertise to enable these mini industries to really get established and thrive. All of our equipment has also been upgraded and replaced and the main studio is sound proofed so can also be used as a recording studio. Why not come and find out for yourself what’s on offer on May 22^nd when we will be throwing the doors open to the public.

Back to my early life...

Now, where was I in the potted career history?

Oh yes, I was 16, still dancing, still playing the French horn and piano and now keen on visual arts too. I took A Level art and loved it. Thought maybe a degree in visual art was beckoning and indeed I got a few offers. But I hate to admit this, I got scared. A visit to the fine art studios at Bretton Hall was terrifying. The canvases were huge, very abstract, and very wacky. For an 18 year old from N Devon this was too much, much to my Headteacher's disappointment I turned down the offer.

Now what? I was really lucky to have brilliant careers teacher and back in those days you could apply to, what were then, polytechnics right up until the end of the academic year. How had I missed the degree in Performance Arts at Middlesex? A quick application and I was at the last set of auditions for the year and I got a place.

Trent Park in Cockfosters was so beautiful I knew this was the place for me. The performance arts degree allowed you to specialize in either music, drama or dance but to study the full range of art forms alongside and learn about all the other aspects of the industry like arts administration, set design, stage management etc.I chose to specialize in dance.

More next time….

As ever, your feedback is very welcome, drop me an email hmiah@swindon.gov.uk

19 April 2007

Hi everyone and welcome to my first official blog! Where to start... hmm... "make it interesting", Joy the Arts web editor said. "People like to read about real people"  So here's a bit about me to get us going.

My name is Helen Miah and I am Arts Services Manager. If anyone had told me when I was at school that there was a job called Arts Services Manager I would have jumped at it. I love the arts.

As a youngster I drove my parents mad constantly dancing all around the house. We had huge windows in the lounge and I discovered they made an excellent mirror. I used to put on a record - yes remember those vinyl things, that your parents taught you to handle with extreme care and not drop the needle!

Then in my head there would be at least 20 other dancers and off we would go.  I had imaginary stories I created, as well as an obsession with patterns and shapes.

Later I got into music and played the French Horn. It was my grandfather's favourite instrument;he loved the Mozart Horn Concertos. Unfortunately he didn't live to hear me play them.

By 16 I was playing in several local orchestras, the county youth orchestra, wind band and jazz orchestra. Mum and I clocked up the miles as she drove me to Exeter for rehearsals [I grew up in a little village in North Devon called Berrynarbor, it's not far from Ilfracombe]. I also used to get the train up to London once a month for lessons with Mike Thompson, who was at the time principal hornist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.  Mike was my guru, inspirational and totally awesome. I wonder what he is doing now?

Are you bored yet? Is this interesting? I am curious to know how many of you play instruments, or used to, or would like to? The recent BBC series Play it Again has reminded me just how special playing an instrument can be... Aled Jones doing Led Zeppelin was great!

Anyway that's enough for now, send me some feedback. Do you want to know more, what happened next, how I ended up as Arts Services Manager? Contact me on HMiah@swindon.gov.uk

I'll hopefully be updating this blog every month, sometimes with the ups and downs of the arts world, sometimes with my whim of the moment. Until next time...