CORBY’S ARTS STRATEGY: MID-POINT REVIEWfs-fileshare-eu.s3.amazonaws.com/corby/imported...1...

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CORBY’S ARTS STRATEGY:

MID-POINT REVIEW

October 2006 This paper presents a progress report and mid-point review of the achievements to date of the Borough’s Arts Strategy since it was adopted in March 2004. It analyses progress made in the past two and a half years in delivering the Action Plan set out in the strategy, sets out an assessment of where we expect to be by the end of the current agreement with Arts Council England in March 2008 and includes an updated action plan for the next phase of arts development in Corby. In preparing this review we have listened to our partners including local organisations and individuals represented in the Corby Arts Forum, and consulted our regional partner Arts Council England.

J Devereux Arts Development Officer, Corby Borough Council

e-mail: [email protected]

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PROGRESS REPORT

Supporting One Corby The Arts Strategy as set out in 2004 focused around four themes and strategic objectives:

1. Environment: The arts will support the continuing improvement of the quality of the built and natural environment in Corby.

2. Economy: Arts and cultural activities will support the regeneration of Corby and plans for long-term growth.

3. Community: Arts and cultural activities will strengthen community life in Corby and promote social inclusion.

4. Leadership: The Council will provide strategic leadership for arts development in Corby.

These are now presented in the same order as in the Borough Council’s corporate documents ‘One Corby’ and ‘One Corby – One year on’:

1. Regeneration (encompassing Economy 2. Community 3. Environment 4. Leadership.

Some of the important developments in Corby affecting the arts strategy since it was first devised include:

• restructuring of the Borough Council to focus around the themes and objectives of ‘One Corby’

• a stronger policy context for arts work, with the Borough’s adoption of a Cultural Strategy, Heritage Strategy and Young People’s Strategy

• commissioning of design work for the new Civic Hub and Arts Centre • the establishment of North Northamptonshire Development Company, incorporating

Catalyst Corby • changes at the County Council including a county-wide partnership to develop

Creative Industries, a move towards externalising some arts development functions and the reduction in the County Youth Service

• major investment in education locally, including plans for a new Academy and the rebuilding of Kingswood School

• establishment of a Groundwork Trust for North Northants, with a commitment to the arts

• emergence of a growing independent artists’ sector in Corby. Examples of successful arts projects which have happened as a result of the Arts Strategy include:

• FLEA • Play on Words • Familiar Spaces: New Places • Paths of Desire.

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SWOT Analysis Our assessment of where we expect to be by the end of the current agreement with Arts Council (March 2008) is summarised in the following SWOT analysis: Strengths Weaknesses • Much of the Arts Strategy will have been

delivered. • There has been sustained support and

commitment from the Borough Council both politically and by the Chief Executive.

• The arts are securely part of the regeneration

of the Borough. The link between arts and environment is implicit.

• The new Arts Centre, with opening planned

for 2009, will be a key element in the redevelopment of the town centre.

• Arts development activities have supported a

range of community development initiatives e.g. in healthy living and community safety.

• Great steps forward have been made possible

with the support of Arts Council, including funding. Arts Council has a good awareness and understanding of the local context.

• Corby, as part of the Northamptonshire

growth area, has been identified as a regional priority for Arts Council.

• An ambitious and demanding programme has rested mainly on one officer to deliver.

• Without a project manager, or regular

administrative support, the arts officer’s time has been under pressure, split between strategic level work and project delivery.

• There is a limited (though growing) pool of

artists and practitioners in the Borough and limited expertise locally in project management.

• Arts organisations in the Borough are

relatively fragile (either unfunded, over-reliant on a single funder, or reluctant to carry out necessary organisational development).

• There are no Arts Council RFOs (regularly

funded organisations) in the Borough (other than the arts strategy programme).

Opportunities Threats • With the major growth planned for Corby as

part of the Sustainable Communities plan, there will be further opportunities to embed culture in the area’s growth.

• The new Arts Centre will make a major

difference to arts activities in the Borough, including scope for a more co-ordinated approach between arts development work and the venue’s programming. Some projects (e.g. Play on Words and FLEA) will become stronger collaborations and partnerships with the new venue. May be scope for project grants from ACE to support audience development and programming.

• Risk of ‘initiative overload’ as Corby goes through a period of rapid growth and change.

• Risk of possible changes in political and/or

managerial support. • Risk that if staffing resources are not

increased capacity will continue to be overstretched and split between strategic and project delivery work.

• Risk that setting up the new venue will

distract too much attention away from other development work.

• Planning the new venue presents risks, e.g.

difficulties in setting up a suitable organisational structure, in maintaining the support of community groups, or in devouring too big a proportion of resources.

• Possible threats arising from planned and

future changes in county-wide provision. • Externally imposed changes in funding

regimes e.g. in education may have negative impact.

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Theme 1: Regeneration What we said in 2004:

Arts and cultural activities will support the regeneration of Corby and plans for long-term growth. The arts will support the regeneration of Corby and assist its economic development and plans for long-term growth. • An attractive and welcoming cultural venue, and a well balanced range of arts

programmes, are essential elements in the cultural and social mix which will make Corby a place that people want to visit and live in.

• The arts are one of the ways in which the town’s image is projected more widely across the region, and the arts will help change the image of the town centre.

• The Borough needs artists and creative people living here, and working here, as part of being a well balanced community.

• As Corby grows people’s needs and expectations will change, and it is essential that cultural provision keeps pace with rising expectations if Corby is to be competitive against other places.

• The area could benefit from the growth of the creative industries which are a rapidly growing area of the economy and are considered a significant growth area for the market towns of the East Midlands, providing greater diversity of employment.

Highlights of what we’ve achieved:

A new Arts Centre is planned as part of the Civic Hub, to open 2009. Work is in progress on programme planning and organisational development.

Artists based in Corby now have a higher profile. More artists and practitioners are working here, with more arts projects leading to greater opportunities1.

What still needs doing:

• We need to continue to support The Willows while it remains the principal venue. • We will be carrying out detailed planning for the new Arts Centre, including setting

up the organisational structure, delivering preparatory audience building programmes, and ensuring effective involvement of artists in planning the venue.

• We will ensure that the area benefits from the growth of the creative industries. • We will continue to attract more artists and practitioners to Corby, including

encouraging availability of low cost workspaces, ensuring there is a ladder of opportunities for artists and practitioners, and promoting opportunities to tender for work.

• The Council remains committed to achieving a full-scale cinema complex in Corby. Revised objectives:

1. Maintain The Willows Arts Centre: Maintain and support The Willows Arts Centre as the area’s main cultural and civic focus, until the new Civic Hub opens.

2. Plan the new Arts Centre: Ensure the cultural agenda is at the heart of plans for the new Civic Hub, so that Corby will have a versatile cultural venue to provide a focus for arts and community activity.

3. Encourage artists and creative businesses: Encourage artists, freelance creative practitioners and creative businesses to relocate to Corby, and retain and develop local talent.

1 For example: • Five Corby Musicians are now employed full-time amongst the thirteen music workers with Big about Music. • The Borough now has close links with Fermynwoods Contemporary Art Gallery. • Artists’ group Corby Zone has been formed which has encouraged Corby graduates to return to the town and

has aspirations to set up a building based focus for artists, workspaces at a school site have attracted local artists and those from outside the area, and artists have created opportunities to use ‘found’ spaces for arts to reach new audiences.

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Theme 2: Community What we said in 2004:

Arts and cultural activities will strengthen community life in Corby and promote social inclusion. Arts opportunities encourage people to take part in creative projects both for the quality of life and the personal benefits for the individuals concerned, and for the wider social and community benefits. This is valuable for people of all ages, but especially as a way of engaging interest and participation by young people. • Accessible arts projects will combat social exclusion by promoting participation and

contributing to community safety. • The arts will add value both to formal education and to lifelong learning through informal

education. • The arts will support programmes which encourage people of all ages to lead healthy and

active lifestyles. • Local arts activities will help communities to be more self-reliant and sustainable.


There have been developments in arts education, including appointment of a part time dance worker for Corby, and specialist ‘arts college’ status for Kingswood School.

Arts are being used to promote messages about healthy living. Arts are being used as a tool for community consultation. There is a range of community arts projects with young people2.

What still needs doing:

• We need to ensure that dance contributes to the ‘healthy living’ agenda, and secure the future of local dance provision following planned changes at county level as well as maintaining the dance activities organised through the Playleadership programme.

• We will continue to work with partners to achieve better cultural provision for young people.

• We will offer support towards delivery of the Kinsgwood Community Arts Plan. • We will offer support to ensure that The Arc can be an effective element in local

community and cultural provision. Revised objectives:

1. Encourage arts education: Build on the strengths of arts education practice in Corby through links between schools and artists and arts organisations.

2. Support healthy living and community development: Ensure that arts and creative activities are fully embedded within health improvement and community development programmes.

3. Support young people: Work with other partners to ensure that young people have access to a range of arts and creative activities which meet their cultural needs.

2 For example: • Artists have been working with young people at the skateboard park Adrenalin Alley. • Big about Music is offering ‘Arts Award’ accreditation for young people, and music leaders are becoming

qualified as youth workers. • 450 children attend classes each week organised by the Playleadership Dance Section.

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Theme 3: Environment What we said in 2004:

The arts will support the continuing improvement of the quality of the built and natural environment in Corby. The arts will make a major contribution to efforts by the Borough Council and a range of partners to improve both the built environment and the Borough’s natural environment. • Arts projects and events will make Corby a livelier place, and help people to feel good

about where they live. • Public art will add quality and distinctiveness to the urban environment. • Expansion of the Borough will create opportunities for new standards of urban design,

with cultural aspects of the town’s development supported through planning agreements. • The arts will play an important part in helping with the interpretation of the Borough’s

green spaces and historic woodland, and in finding ways of channelling community involvement.


We have raised the profile of the relationship between culture and the environment, and focused attention on links between art and the quality of the urban environment.

We are seeing the first collaborative interventions by artists in CBC capital build 3. A Culture and Regeneration study has been completed, and the action plan and

external funding are in place for delivery. A Public Art Consultant has been appointed for the Parkland Gateway There is a strong relationship with the Groundwork Trust, including Corby having a

focus in some of the Trust’s regional work linking arts and environmental issues.

What still needs doing: • We will continue to work towards a strategic commitment to public art by the major

players, including SPD for Public Art. • We would like to see visible and high profile physical changes to symbolise progress;

some would like to see a major iconic work. • We must ensure art is embedded in the major new developments which will be

taking place in Corby. • We will implement the Culture and Regeneration programme. • There will be further arts collaborations with environmental initiatives.

Revised objectives:

1. Changing the image: Use the arts to help change the image of the Borough and to support plans for growth.

2. Public art: Develop a strategic approach to public art. 3. Environmental arts: Promote public participation in green spaces and woodland

sites through arts projects.

3 For example: • Artists have been involved in the new ‘One Stop Shop’ and Council Chamber. • Artists will be involved in the new Swimming Pool.

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Theme 4: Leadership What we said in 2004:

The Council will provide strategic leadership for arts development in Corby. The Borough has made rapid progress recently with the appointment of its first arts development officer, supported through a partnership with Arts Council England and Northamptonshire County Council. The challenge now is to build on this. • The Borough Council will focus on enabling and facilitating – supporting and assisting

others, rather than directly delivering and managing. • The Borough Council will ensure that Corby benefits from national, regional and county

initiatives and resources wherever possible. • Corby will be a respected partner in strategic arts development, brokering agreements,

collaborations and partnerships with a wide range of other bodies. • Corby will celebrate its achievements and its strengths and raise the profile and reputation

of the arts in the district.


The Arts Strategy was adopted in 2004 and progress has been made in implementation.

The Arts Development Officer post has been successfully established. We now have a well established range of arts development projects. We now contribute effectively within county, regional and national initiatives. We have good support and interest politically and from the Leader and the Chief

Executive. The arts have begun to have a wider influence on other Borough Council activities

including PR and marketing. The Music Action Zone project Big about Music has been expanded, with further

resources for a second phase and the potential to develop a sustainable free-standing organisation.

An Arts Forum and occasional roadshows have been established. What still needs doing:

1. The budget for implementation of the arts strategy needs to be consolidated as Arts Council funding comes to an end.

2. The arts officer post needs to be consolidated at a more strategic level within revised Council structures.

3. As the role of the arts becomes more strategic, assistance will be needed with project delivery as lack of capacity continues to be an issue.

4. We will build on the success of Corby’s celebrations of national arts initiatives, and develop some of these to become increasingly strategic year-round activities so that they contribute to audience development as part of the build-up for the new venue.

Revised objectives:

1. Implement the Arts Strategy: Arts Strategy, agreed by the Council in 2004, to be implemented.

2. Provide leadership: Provide leadership, inspiration and encouragement in the arts and support artists and arts organisations working in the area.

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DETAILED REVIEW OF THE 2004 ACTION PLAN Theme 1: Regeneration

Specific Objective Action Progress made Priorities for future action

1. Help the management of The Willows Arts Centre with training, marketing, and through strengthening staffing and operational management.

Support provided. Continued liaison through the Arts Centre Users’ Group which has been established to inform the new capital development.

1.1 Maintain and support The Willows Arts Centre as the area’s main cultural and civic focus.

2. Strengthen the valuable role The Willows Arts Centre plays in encouraging young people to take part in performing arts activities and develop technical skills.

Programming for young people will be a priority in the new Arts Centre.

1. The Borough Council will have to play a lead role in securing the capital funding needed for a replacement or refurbishment of The Willows, and ensuring that feasibility studies and design studies are commissioned.

Firm commitment to a new venue; Design Studies now reached RIBA Stage D.

Detailed planning for the new Arts Centre, including decisions and implementation re organisational structure. Pre-launch audience development programme to be developed.

2. Artists to be involved throughout in the development of the Master Plan for the planned new Civic Hub, from conceptual planning and master design plan through to detailed delivery. Arts to be used as a way of engaging public participation in the consultation and planning process.

Commitment made by architects and initial budget in place. Public art Consultant now appointed.

Artists to be involved in RIBA Stage E.

1.2 Ensure the cultural agenda is at the heart of discussions about the planned new Civic Hub. Corby will need a versatile cultural venue to provide a focus for arts and community activity, and a better library.

3. Respond to community demand for full-scale cinema provision in Corby in planning further development of town centre leisure opportunities, while acknowledging that re-establishing a cinema in Corby will be led by the private sector once market conditions are right.

The need is endorsed in various plans including One Corby.

Continues to be an aspiration for the Borough.

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1. Research to identify Corby’s competitive

advantages/disadvantages in attracting artists and creative businesses, linked to economic development plans of Corby Borough, the LSP and SSP.

The initiative on creative industries passed to the county-wide partnership Creative Connections. Creative Industries sited in the Local Area Action Plan.

Need to ensure momentum established by Creative Connections is maintained after restructure of county team. Need to ensure that opportunities for creative industries growth potential are realised in Corby. Build links with Creative Connections, Business Link etc.

2. (Additional action) Build on existing links with School of Art at University of Northampton (e.g. placements, and work opportunities).

3. Research to establish successful initiatives in comparable districts elsewhere and understand any lessons which may be transferable.

County wide Creative Industries audit completed.

Further work required.

1.3 Seek to encourage more artists, freelance creative practitioners and creative businesses to relocate to and stay in Corby.

4. Explore the scope for setting up low rent artists’ studios in Corby, building on the successful model of Barton Seagrave Hall, perhaps in surplus or under-used accommodation in a building in public or voluntary sector management. A group of managed workspaces would attract professional creative practitioners to the Borough who would then have a much wider influence by contributing to educational, community and public art projects in the Borough. It could also help retain some of the town’s talented young people in the area by encouraging them to return here after being away as students.

Some progress in identifying potential studios and workspaces in Corby Four artists’ studios now established at Beanfieds PS. Proposals by Corby Zone for the Manor House.

Support opportunities for workspaces which meet artists’ needs, meet community needs and are sustainable as a business model.

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Theme 2: Community


1. Complete outstanding commitments to the Arts Education Interface project: discuss with headteachers and plan the final round of EAZ-funded projects, and build capacity within schools to plan arts education projects.

Carried out.

2. Appoint a p/t Arts Education Co-ordinator to co-ordinate project delivery and build links between artists and schools.

Not funded.

3. Work with the Arts Council to plan an appropriate showcase or launch event when the AEI research findings are published in 2004.

Delivered – national launch of research publication in 2005.

4. Work with Rockingham Primary School in establishing The Arc as a new venue which will help promote community access to the arts for people who are currently ‘non-users’.

Support provided but the venue has some difficulties.

Further support needed.

5. Assist schools which are bidding for specialist arts college status or have other development plans relating to the arts.

Kingswood is now specialist arts college, and will have new building. Arts Officer has chaired the Steering Group.

Support for the Kinsgwood Community Arts Plan.

2.1 Build on the strengths of arts education practice in Corby by continuing to support arts education projects where schools are working with artists and arts organisations.

6. Assist a limited number of schools each year in achieving Artsmark accreditation, to encourage sustainability of arts education.

Some support provided and links made with LEA initiatives.

1. Develop links with Community Sport Development initiatives, especially in areas such as dance.

Partnership between Schools Sport Co-ordinators and Northants Dance; p/t dance worker appointed.

Secure future for the work following changes planned at County and changes in funding related to Schools Sport Co-ordinators.

2.2 Ensure that arts and creative activities are fully embedded within the community development and health improvement programmes of the Borough Council and other partners.

2. Develop links with Health Improvement initiatives, especially with young people at risk of exclusion, and with people with long term illness and disability. Local priorities include reduction of teenage pregnancies, older people and falls, men’s health and children’s dental health. Support plans for a Healthy Living Centre.

Some collaborations e.g. men’s health comedy club, inter-generational dance project, and healthy eating Theatre project.

Scope for further collaborations, e.g. links with Active Lifestyles Officer and Environmental Health Officer.

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3. Use the arts as a tool for creative consultation as a way of involving ‘hard-to-reach’ groups (as for example in a video project by young people on homelessness, supported by the Borough Council and Connexions). Future such projects could include, for example, the Housing Renewal Strategy and the review of housing stock options.

Projects have been delivered and examples have been highlighted in the CBC Consultation Strategy.

Should be established as common approach by CBC.

4. Continue to support the work in Corby of the Northamptonshire Touring Arts, working closely with local promoters and community groups, and support the development of community-based promoters.

Progress made. Work with NTA and partners to ensure that programmes meet the needs of urban communities, and to nurture local promoters.

5. Promote awareness and understanding of cultural diversity by using artists and practitioners from a range of cultural traditions to work on community projects.

May be a higher priority in future.

6. Develop a large-scale community multimedia-based heritage project, capturing Corby as it currently looks and feels. This will act as a resource for future generations, and will offer the opportunity for the ‘ordinary’ sights and sounds of everyday life to be recorded and celebrated.

A number of small pilot projects are underway via collaborations with Big About Music, Northants Dance and Fermynwoods Contemporary Art Gallery.

Build on the adoption of a Heritage Strategy for the Borough.

1. Continue to support dance development, through the work in Corby of Northants Dance and in association with CBC’s Play Leadership Scheme. Consider ways in which dance development could be expanded, e.g. by resourcing an additional dance worker in Corby.

Achieved; p/t dance worker appointed.

Secure future for the work following changes planned at County.

2. Develop closer links with programmes for young people, including the Happenin’ Project and Active Communities, so that these take account of young people’s demand for creative and cultural activities as well as sporting and recreational needs.

Progress made e.g. 3-year drama based heritage project.

3. Develop closer links with the curriculum offered by the County Council youth service.

Children & Young People’s Partnership Board set up for Northants (Children Act), but County Youth Service dismantled.

Provision for young people’s cultural needs should be a priority for the Borough.

2.3 Work with other partners to ensure that young people have access to a range of arts and creative activities which meet their cultural needs, thereby promoting positive attitudes and teamwork.

4. Explore ways of responding to community demand for film by, for example, touring film showings to community centres and villages, occasional outdoor big screen events, and reinstating regular film programming at The Willows.

Some discussion. Film programming is planned for new Arts Centre.

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Theme 3: Environment


1. Develop an education project with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), as part of raising the quality of urban design and community involvement.

Projects have been developed e.g. Art meets Environment, ThinkSpace and Architecture Week.

Continuing priority.

2. Develop and implement a creative approach to design and commissioning of street furniture, signage, etc., and to planting and lighting schemes.

Ensure Lead Artist contribution is embedded in master planning, Parkland Gateway and other developments.

3.1 Use the arts to help change the image of the town centre and to support plans for growth, through positive community activities, such as the recent family learning weekend, and through an arts input to community events such as carnival.

3. Other actions included in themes 2, 3 and 4

1. Include specific public art guidelines in the revised Local Plan and/or Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Public Art is referred to in the emerging Corby Site Specific proposals LDD and the Corby Town Centre Area Action plan, part of the emerging North Northants LDF. Culture and Regeneration Programme funded by ACE.

Culture and Regeneration Programme to be implemented. SPD for Public Art now a priority.

2. Pilot projects to raise awareness of public art. Regional attention through Architecture Week and the ThinkSpace project.

3. Work towards a public art strategy both for the town centre regeneration and for the Borough’s green spaces.

Advocacy has taken place. See 3.2.1

Priority for further development.

4. Work towards having a Public Art Co-ordinator with Catalyst Corby, promoting the cultural dimension of regeneration and acting as specialist adviser to ensure that development follows best national standards of good practice.

See 3.2.1. Priority for further development.

3.2 Develop a strategic approach to public art.

5. Develop a suitable organisational structure, such as a civic trust, that could take on the long-term responsibility for care and maintenance of installed public art.

For future consideration.

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1. Support the Arts meets Environment Festival, which will bring a

programme of arts developments to the rural wards of the Borough and other parts of the ‘Leader Plus’ area.

Cultural Community Partnerships for East Northants is the lead for this project, with steering group support including CBC.

2. Develop collaborations and partnerships with independent environmental agencies and initiatives including Rockingham Forest Trust and a local branch of the Groundwork Trust (if this is established).

Groundwork Trust now established. Strategic arts co-ordinator appointed for Groundwork in East Midlands with commitment of 2 days/wk in N Northants and Corby.

Further projects can be supported.

3.3 Promote public participation in green spaces and woodland sites and assist in their interpretation and enjoyment, through environmental arts projects.

3. Develop collaborations with CBC’s environmental involvement including Local Agenda 21 initiatives, the contractors managing open spaces and with the historic woodlands Education Officer.

Some progress. Further projects can be supported.

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Theme 4: Leadership


1. Arts Development Officer post, and the supporting budget for arts development, to be confirmed by CBC as a long-term commitment.

Confirmed. Accompanying budget to be confirmed 2007 onwards.

2. Partnership agreement with Arts Council England and Northamptonshire County Council to be maintained.

Range of partnerships including Creative Industries.

New agreement with ACE from 2007.

3. Build artsdevcorby as a brand for all public marketing of the arts development partnership work, with a distinct, accessible, contemporary and non-bureaucratic style and image.

Specific initiatives have been branded e.g. FLEA, Play on Words and Familiar Spaces: New Places.

4. Ensure Corby is an active partner in county-wide initiatives and in the Northamptonshire Forum for Arts Development (FAD).

Active partner, and Co-Chair.

5. Regular liaison with other development officers working for CBC, including scheduled information exchange and joint planning with community sports, health improvement and regeneration officers.

Regular liaison.

6. Offer Corby the opportunity to be part of national flagship arts initiatives, so that people in Corby are better connected with national cultural activity – events heavily promoted nationally, such as Family Learning, the Big Draw, World Book Day, and Mental Health Day.

Effective links with range of national initiatives.

7. Plan field study visits to: (a) public art projects in South Northamptonshire, where the District Council has entered into a Section 106 agreement with developers to set up the Grange Park Foundation to manage the community facilities, including public art, associated with an ambitious new house-building development; and (b) arts and regeneration projects in Scotland, to look at regeneration in for example Falkirk and Stirling; for elected members, senior officers, planners and Catalyst Corby.

Future action re public art (see Theme 3 esp. 3.2).

4.1 Arts strategy to be agreed and adopted by the Borough Council, and implemented.

8. Ensure that arts and creative projects which the Council is involved with receive maximum support in public relations by CBC’s communications team.

Ongoing.

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1. Build an integrated information base, with database and website

listing all arts groups, arts activities including youth clubs, how to obtain advice etc., and with links to other sites.

Now delivered county-wide by NCC and Creative Connections.

2. Advice, information about funding, practical help and support to be made available to encourage groups to apply for external funding and to secure a higher success rate through improved quality of bids.

Advice has been made available including roadshows.

3. Develop a criteria-referenced small grants scheme to help support new projects, with clear aims and priorities.

Implemented. Review planned, to follow the relaunch of ACE’s G4A (Sept. 2006).

4. Develop networking between local professional artists, practitioners and arts organisations working in the Borough, to network, share ideas and report on current initiatives.

Arts Forum developed Independent artists’ networks have also emerged.

How best to support artists’ networks?

5. Develop an Arts Forum to bring together local amateur arts groups on a suggested three times per year basis.

Arts Forum developed.

6. Work with Corby Community Arts to refocus the organisation, strengthen the management body, and strengthen the business planning, financial management and project reporting.

No major change. Organisation must make its own choices.

7. Work with Big about Music, the Corby and Kettering Youth Music Action Zone, especially to strengthen the infrastructure of musicians and project organisers so that more projects can take root locally.

Implemented Further funding secured for a Phase 2 More workers available locally now (8 music leaders).

Now need to establish permanent commitment within CBC to funding this project [@ £7.5k p.a.]. and help develop a sustainable organisation

4.2 Provide leadership, inspiration and encouragement for all those working in the arts or using the arts as part of a mixed programme, and support arts organisations working in the area.

8. Work with Eastern Orchestral Board to develop plans for local people to be involved in orchestral music through activity that enhances and complements other local activity.

Some discussion. New venue will present stronger opportunities.

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REVISED ACTION PLAN FOR 2006 With tasks and priorities for the next few years reconsidered in the light of progress and changing circumstances, we can now set out a revised Action Plan and Resource Requirements for the next phase of implementation. Revised Theme 1: Regeneration Arts and cultural activities will support the regeneration of Corby and plans for long-term growth.

Budget requirements Specific Objective Action Timescale Partners 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

1.1 Maintain The Willows Arts Centre: Maintain and support The Willows Arts Centre as the area’s main cultural and civic focus, until the new Civic Hub opens.

1. Continued liaison with the management of The Willows Arts Centre and with the Arts Centre Users’ Group which has been established to inform the new capital development.

S The Willows; Arts Centre User Group

Funded through Parkland Gateway plus other costs and resources to be identified

1. Detailed planning for the new Arts Centre, including involvement of artists. Decisions and implementation of organisational structure. Pre-launch audience development programme to be developed.

S / M NNDC; Arts Council; County Council

Funded through Parkland Gateway plus other costs and resources to be identified. £150,000 for artists in PG budget; will require further funds for remainder of the programme

1.2 Plan the new Arts Centre: Ensure the cultural agenda is at the heart of plans for the new Civic Hub, so that Corby will have a versatile cultural venue to provide a focus for arts and community activity.

2. Maintain the aspiration endorsed in various plans including One Corby for full-scale cinema provision in Corby, while acknowledging that this will be led by the private sector once market conditions are right.

L NNDC; Private sector

No specific costs

1. Ensure that opportunities for creative industries growth potential are realised in Corby. Ensure momentum established by Creative Connections is maintained after restructure of county team. Build links with Creative Connections, Business Link etc. Further research to understand Corby’s competitive advantages and disadvantages, building on county-wide Creative Industries audit.

S / M County Council; Northants Arts Partnership; Creative Connections; Business Link; EMDA; Arts Council

LG104 £830

(sub to ACE)

LG104 £830

LG104 £830

LG104 £830

1.3 Encourage artists and creative businesses: Encourage artists, freelance creative practitioners and creative businesses to relocate to Corby, and retain and develop local talent.

2. Attract, retain and nurture talented creative people in the area, including: supporting opportunities for low cost and/or managed workspaces which meet artists’ needs, meet community needs and are sustainable as a business model; and building on existing links with School of Art at University of Northampton (e.g. placements, and work opportunities).

Ongoing Univ of Northampton Others to be researched

No specific costs

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Revised Theme 2: Community Arts and cultural activities will strengthen community life in Corby and promote social inclusion.


1. Work with county-wide artists in learning programme to ensure that young people and artists in Corby benefit from the programme.

Ongoing NCC A-in-L; Schools

LG104 £600

LG104 £600

LG104 £600

LG104 £600

2. Support Kingswood School in implementing its Community Arts Plan.

S / M Kingswood School

LG104 Within Arts Activities budget

2.1 Encourage arts education: Build on the strengths of arts education practice in Corby through links between schools and artists and arts organisations. 3. Continue to work with Rockingham Primary School in

establishing The Arc as a venue which will help promote community access to the arts for people who are currently ‘non-users’.

S Rockingham Primary School

LG104 Within Arts Activities budget

1. Secure the future of the Corby Dance Project, which supports the healthy living agenda, following changes planned for County Council’s Northants Dance and changes in education funding.

S / M PCT Active Lifestyles Officer; Schools Sports Partnership; schools; CBC Play Leadership; Other depts CBC

LG104 £12,319

£13,500 extra £8,681 to

make base

£21,000

£21,000

2. Maintain links with other healthy living initiatives, with Community Sport Development, Active Lifestyles Officer and Environmental Health Officer.

Ongoing PCT Active Lifestyles Officer; Other depts CBC

LG104 £800

LG104 £800

LG104 £800

LG104 £800

3. Continue to promote use of the arts as a tool for creative consultation as a way of involving ‘hard-to-reach’ groups, as highlighted in the CBC Consultation Strategy.

Ongoing Other depts CBC No specific costs

4. Continue to support the work in Corby of the Northamptonshire Touring Arts, to nurture community-based promoters and to ensure that NTA programmes meet the needs of Corby’s urban communities.

S / M NTA; Arts Council; County Council; Other districts

LG104 £1,580

LG104 £1,580

LG104 £1,580

LG104 £1,580

5. Continue to promote awareness and understanding of cultural diversity by using artists and practitioners from a range of cultural traditions to work on community projects.

Ongoing Arts organisations

No additional costs

2.2 Support healthy living and community development: Ensure that arts and creative activities are fully embedded within health improvement and community development programmes.

6. Continue to support the use of arts in promoting understanding of heritage, building on the adoption of a Heritage Strategy for the Borough.

S / M Heritage Officer; HLF

LG100 £2,500 for heritage project

£2,500 from anticipated underspend

None specified

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1. Advocate for provision for young people’s cultural needs as a

priority for the Borough. Ongoing Children & YP

Partnership Board

No specific costs

2. Continue to support dance development with young people, e.g. through Dance 2 Educate, and secure the future of the local dance programme [as per 2.2.1 above]

S / M as at 2.2.1 £1,500 for

Dance 2 Educate

£1,500 for

Dance 2 Educate

£1,500 for

Dance 2 Educate

3. Maintain the annual FLEA event as a way of engaging young children and their families, and expand to become a strategic year-round programme. Growth bid for 08-09 extra £10,000 to be matched by partners.

Ongoing To be identified LG100 Budget

£10,000

£4,000 to be top

sliced to support AD Asst

extra £10,000

new base £16,000

£16,000

4. Maintain the Play on Words event as a way of stimulating interest in reading and writing, and expand to become a strategic year-round programme. Growth bid for 08-09 extra £10,000 to be matched by partners.

Ongoing Library LG100 Budget

£10,000

£4,000 to be top


extra £10,000

new base £16,000

£16,000

5. Maintain links with other programmes for young people, including the Happenin’ Project and Active Communities, so that these take account of young people’s demand for creative and cultural activities as well as sporting and recreational needs.

Ongoing CBC Community Devt and Regeneration

No additional cost

2.3 Support young people: Work with other partners to ensure that young people have access to a range of arts and creative activities which meet their cultural needs.

6. Explore ways of responding to community demand for film by, planning film as an element in the new Arts Centre and through projects e.g. touring film showings to community centres and villages, and occasional outdoor big screen events.

M New Arts Centre; Community venues; EM Media

Costs in Arts Centre planning

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Revised Theme 3: Environment The arts will support the continuing improvement of the quality of the built and natural environment in Corby.


1. Continue to develop education projects with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), such as Architecture Week, as part of raising the quality of urban design and community involvement. Develop a year-round programme of activities.

Ongoing CABE; Opun; NNDC

LG100 Budget

£10,000

£4,000 to be top


extra £10,000

new base £16,000

£16,000

2. Ensure Lead Artist contribution is embedded in master planning, Parkland Gateway and other developments.

S / M CBC Special Projects; Planning; NNDC

LG102 and LG103

Budget at 1.2.1

3.1 Changing the image: Use the arts to help change the image of the Borough and to support plans for growth.

3. Develop and implement a creative approach to design and commissioning of street furniture, signage, etc., and to planting and lighting schemes.

M NNDC; CBC Street Scene

Budget at 1.2.1 and 3.2.1 plus funding from S106 and SPDs

1. Implement the Culture and Regeneration Programme, develop SPD for Public Art, and adopt a public art strategy both for the town centre regeneration and for the Borough’s green spaces.

S / M Arts Council; NNDC; CBC Planning

LG102 and LG103

C & R is time limited project No other specific additional costs

3.2 Public art: Develop a strategic approach to public art. 2. Consider options for a suitable organisational structure to take

on the long-term responsibility for care and maintenance of installed public art.

L CBC Planning No specific costs yet

1. Continue to support the Arts meets Environment Festival, which provides a programme of arts developments in the rural wards of the Borough and other parts of the ‘Leader Plus’ area.

M ‘Cultural Community Partnerships’ (East Northants); Rockingham Forest Trust; Leader Plus

LG100 No specific cost

2. Continue to develop collaborations and partnerships with independent environmental agencies and initiatives including Rockingham Forest Trust and the Groundwork Trust.

Ongoing Rockingham Forest Trust; Groundwork Trust

LG100 No additional cost

3.3 Environmental arts: Promote public participation in green spaces and woodland sites through arts projects.

3. Through projects such as FLEA, Architecture Week and Play on Words, develop collaborations with CBC’s environmental involvement including Local Agenda 21 initiatives, the contractors managing open spaces and with the historic woodlands Education Officer.

Ongoing CBC Street Scene; LA 21

LG100 No additional cost

20

Revised Theme 4: Leadership The Council will provide strategic leadership for arts development in Corby.


1. Maintain the Arts Officer post. Confirm the supporting budget for arts development as a long-term commitment by CBC.

S and ongoing

LG004 LG004 LG004 LG004

2. New partnership agreements with Arts Council England to be discussed (e.g. Thrive, creative industries, and planning for new venue).

S Arts Council To be negotiated

3. Maintain Corby’s role as an active partner in county-wide initiatives, in the Northamptonshire Arts Partnership and in the Northamptonshire Forum for Arts Development (FAD).

Ongoing FAD LG104 LG104 £300

LG104 £300

LG104 £300

4. Maintain regular liaison with other development officers working for CBC, including community sports, health improvement, regeneration and heritage officers.

Ongoing Other CBC depts No specific costs

5. Continue to ensure that Corby takes part in national flagship arts initiatives, so that people in Corby are better connected with national cultural activity (events promoted nationally such as Family Learning, the Big Draw, World Book Day, and Mental Health Day).

Ongoing National agencies e.g. BBC, and campaigns e.g. National Campaign for Family Learning

LG100 and

LG104

Provided elsewhere in the Action Plan

4.1 Implement the Arts Strategy: Arts Strategy, agreed by the Council in 2004, to be implemented.

6. Continue to ensure that arts and creative projects which the Council is involved with receive maximum PR support by CBC’s communications team, and ensure high quality marketing, photographic documentation and advocacy materials are available.

Ongoing CBC PR team LG100 No additional costs

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1. Continue to provide advice, information about funding,

practical help and support to encourage groups to apply for external funding and to secure a higher success rate through improved quality of bids.

Ongoing LG004 LG004 £200

LG004 £200

LG004 £200

2. Ensure that artists and groups in Corby can benefit from the county-wide arts databases, website and other information channels.

Ongoing County Council No additional costs

3. Review the criteria and operation of the small grants scheme which helps support new projects.

S LG100 £8,000

LG100 £8,000

LG100 £8,000

LG100 £8,000

4. Continue to encourage networking between local professional artists, practitioners and arts organisations working in the Borough, including an Arts Forum.

Ongoing LG100 LG100 £2,000

LG100 £2,000

LG100 £2,000

5. Work to establish a longer term funding commitment to Big about Music (the Corby and Kettering Youth Music Action Zone, which will expand to a county-wide role), to develop a more sustainable organisation and to strengthen the local musical infrastructure.

S / M Big about Music ; Youth Music; Kettering BC

LG104

LG104 £7,500

LG104 £7,500

LG104 £7,500

4.2 Provide leadership: Provide leadership, inspiration and encouragement in the arts and support artists and arts organisations working in the area.

6. Work with Eastern Orchestral Board to develop plans for outreach and education projects and orchestral performances as new opportunities will be opened up by the Arts Centre.

M / L EOB; Arts Council

LG104 LG104 £1,680

LG104 £1,680

LG104 £1,680

Note on timescale:

S = Short term, i.e. one to two years M = Medium term, i.e. two to three years L = Long term, i.e. three or more years

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RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS: BUDGET PLAN 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 £ £ £ £ Expenditure Staffing: - Arts Officer salary, superan, NIC etc. (in LG004 below) 35,280 35,280 35,280 - Arts Officer travel/expenses 150 1,050 1,050 1,050 - Supplies and services related to staff costs (in LG004 below) 6,030 6,030 6,030 - Training 1,000 1,300 1,300 1,300 - Professional devt: subscription to NALGAO (in LG004 below) 100 100 100 - Arts Development Assistant from projects LG 100 0 12,000 12,000 12,000 - Arts Development Assistant new costs 0 13,000 13,000 13,000

Managed funds: - Arts activities budget (in LG004 below) 4,200 4,200 4,200 - Subscription to Eastern Orchestral Board (in LG104 below) 1,680 1,680 1,680 - Subscription to Arts Council (in LG104 below) 830 830 830 - Dance 2 Educate (in LG104 below) 1,500 1,500 1,500 - Small grants scheme 8,000 8,000 8,000

Grants to arts organisations/projects: - Northamptonshire Touring Agency (in LG104 below) 1,580 1,580 1,580 - Corby Dance Project (dance worker) (in LG104 below) 13,500 21,000 21,000 - Big about Music (in LG104 below) 7,500 7,500 7,500 - FLEA (in LG100 below) 6,000 16,000 16,000 - Play on Words (in LG100 below) 6,000 16,000 16,000 - Architecture Week (in LG100 below) 6,000 16,000 16,000

2006-07 base (excluding all carry forward): Staff (LG004) 46,210 Arts General (LG100) 45,000 Contribution to Arts Strategy (LG104) 23,892

Total expenditure 116,252 125,550 163,050 163,050 Income: Arts Council England 45,000 30,000 0 0 Other income [not yet known] 0 0 0 0 Total income 45,000 30,000 0 0

COST TO CBC ARTS BUDGET 71,252 95,550 163,050 163,050

Principal additional resource requirements compared with the 2006-07 base are: 1. £24,298 in 2007-08, including replacement of Arts Council reduction of £15,000,

supporting Big about Music, retaining a small grants budget and establishing an Arts Development Assistant.

2. Additional £67,500 in 2008-09, to replace the remaining Arts Council contribution of £30,000 as the funding agreement ends, retaining Corby Dance Project on expiry of its current county-wide funding base, and establishing FLEA, Play on Words and Architecture Week as year-round projects.

The following are principal items not included above: 1. Any carry forward of underspend or reserved items. 2. Financial and other support for The Willows. 3. Cost of development work related to planning the Parkland Gateway. 4. Pre-launch costs re new Arts Centre.

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