An
independent arts body for Croydon is the main recommendation arising from the
South Croydon Community Association (SCCA) initiative to try and help improve
the management and programming of the Fairfield Halls as the major cultural
venue in the Borough. SCCA has now published ‘Croydon’s Arts Report’ arising
out of the discussions it organised. Its main conclusions are:
·
An
independent apolitical Arts body is urgently needed for the Borough of Croydon
to set an Arts strategy, develop, enhance and promote Arts throughout the
entire Borough, engaging with all faith groups and communities.
·
There
are many smaller vibrant Arts communities and facilities in Croydon. At present
there is no clear vision to help these groups prosper. Much can be achieved,
without great expense, as follows: access funding beyond Croydon; share
resources and facilities; promote their activities; recruit and train new
members; work together to host shared activities; communicate the vibrancy of
Croydon; celebrate the diversity of
Croydon; showcase their best work in festivals;
·
The
chair of the proposed independent
·
voluntary
body needs to be a person of stature within the Arts, with trustees reflecting
the diversity of Croydon.
·
The
whole community needs to be served. As well as economic benefits, flourishing
Arts help: children develop fully; everyone access a richer and more fulfilled
life; sharing of culture and heritage so reducing fear of difference; improve
social cohesion.
·
Political
independence is essential for Fairfield Halls and the London Mozart Players.
·
The
Boards of the Fairfield Halls and the London Mozart Players should be refreshed
with some trustees of national standing.
·
Croydon
Council should open up its parks, libraries and halls for Arts activities.
The
full report can be seen at http://southcroydoncommunityassociation.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/arts-report-croydon.pdf. If you want
to add comments to discussion then please go to http://southcroydoncommunityassociation.wordpress.com/local-issues/fairfield-halls.
Local
press coverage can be seen at: www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/Croydon-needs-think-arts-strategy/story-19215316-detail/story.html#ixzz2W1OhHZwZ .
While I attended the two general discussion meetings
organised by SCCA I did not take part in the smaller group that produced the
report. The
proposals are very much in line with my suggestions
in the discussion paper I wrote for the first meeting.
·
Community
and voluntary sector organisations involved in cultural and heritage activities
could consider developing their own Cultural & Heritage Strategy, designed
to foster joint working, identifying sources of money, sustaining what exists,
and forming the basis for demands on the Council in the future.
·
There
a number of broader issues that need to be taken into account in preparing such
a Strategy including the continuing recession, ‘spiritual’ capital, and
community cohesion and diversity.
·
Taking
advantage of new opportunities continue to emerge.
I stressed that the experience of Croydon piano
teacher Fred
Scott and the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Festival last year showed how individuals and groups can help to ensure that
Fairfield Halls can have a varied
programme of events, in Fred’s case with a particular emphasis on showcasing
Croydon and South London young talent, and the Festival in celebrating a famous
son of Croydon.
A
copy of my discussion paper can be read at http://southcroydoncommunityassociation.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/the-future-of-fairfield-halls.pdf.
My other contributions to the discussions on
Fairfield Halls and on heritage as an important part of cultural activity can
be seen at
I asked the Scrutiny and Strategic Overview Committee on Tuesday
night to add Cultural and Heritage Strategy to the list of topics it should be
looking at.
This posting is also in my EDiary/News 40 available from me at sean.creighton1947@btinternet.com.
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