Hexham Arts Town Proposal - November 2010
Background
Hexham Arts Forum proposes that Hexham should be designated an Arts Town. This proposal has been made in order to highlight, promote and increase the number of arts’ events and activities in the town. This would be for the benefit of residents and visitors, many of whom are not aware of Hexham’s unique position in this area. To be so designated will help to raise the profile of the existing arts in the town and also stimulate activity. It will also help to support any funding applications that may be made by HAF and other organisations. It is proposed that a logo be designed for use by Arts’ organisations and individuals, which has Hexham Arts Town on it. They would pay an annual subscription to use it and in exchange their details and events would be put on the Community Partnership website and their details would be on the Arts’ Directory and calendar. This would gradually increase the profile of the Arts in the town and would raise some money to cover administration costs.
The proposal to HCP is that the Arts Forum will:
* Develop a brand identity for “Hexham Arts Town” linked to the existing “Hexham” brand
* Encourage all member organisations and to use this branding on all materials relating to artistic activities in the town with an annual charge being levied for the use of the brand to support the development and marketing of the brand
* Produce a 5 year action plan for “Hexham Arts Town” by March 2011.
5 Year Plan
Suggestions of what may be included in the plan followed with a list developing including
· Murals
· Development of another arts’ venue in the town
· Development of multiculturalism
· Commissioning a piece of public art
· Developing and sustaining networks
Supporting Evidence of Activity.
Hexham’s artistic attributes include:
Public buildings dedicated to the Arts
An Arts Centre including 1 theatre and 2 galleries – Queen’s Hall Arts
A cinema with a gallery cafe- The Forum Cinema
Public exhibition spaces
The Moot Hall, Hexham Hospital
Schools with Arts Status
3 Schools with the Arts Mark and/ or Arts’ College status – The Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham Middle School, St. Joseph’s Middle School.
Theatre Groups and Companies
An international Theatre company – TSF
2 Youth Theatres - Queen Elizabeth High School, Queens Hall Arts Youth Theatre.
Private Art Galleries
4 private galleries,
2 Art shops
Music
A community choir – Tynedale Community Choir
1 childrens’ choir - Minims
3 formal choirs – Antiphon, Orpheus, Hexham Abbey Choir
A community interest music business– Core Music
Live music in 3 pubs – The Tap and Spile, The Fox Pub,
The Globe
Toble – youth folk group – Queens Hall Arts
The Violin Shop
Dance
2 Dance studios –Terpsichore. Affleck Academy of Ballet
Hexham Morris Men and Hexhamshire Lasses
Youth Dance Project – Queens Hall Arts
Tango classes - Royal Hotel
Circle dancing – West End Methodist Church
Ballet classes at The Moot Hall
Annual Arts’ Festivals and Events
Hexham Abbey Festival of Music and the Arts
Hexham Gathering – folk festival
Selefest – youth and music festival
Hexham Book Festival
Hexham in Bloom
Spook Night – with art involvement from the schools
The Art Tour – Network Artists
Tynedale Music Festival
The Big Draw
Summer Nights 2011
Art and Crafts Fairs including Christmas Market
St George’s Day Celebrations
Miscellaneous
TAPAs – Tynedale Academy for Performing Arts
Regular markets including arts and crafts
A large number of practicing artists and arts’ professionals in the town and environs, including high profile artists who are known nationally and internationally – e.g. Fiona Crisp, Carl Von Weiler, Clymene Christoforou, Ashley Hipkin, Judith King
A web based Art’s directory – Community Partnership Website, Hexham Arts’ Forum - ongoing
An on-line media vault – Tynedale Open Media
Samling Foundation – a charity supporting musical excellence in young people
Minerva – a charity providing craft-skilled training, work experience and employment opportunities to people with learning disabilities.
Penny Grennan – Chair Hexham Arts’ Forum. 30.10.2010