This site provides information for those interested in local arts in Britain and is also a professional development resource for nalgao members. The public area of the site carries news, a number of sample case studies and some resource material. We hope you find this useful. If you'd like to access the full site then see "how to join nalgao" - in the menu bar - for more information on our membership rates.

2008 nalgao Conference details announced

nalgao has announced details of its “Switched On!” 2008 conference being held this year in Blackpool between 8 – 10 October.

Keynote speakers include Wayne Hemingway MBE, founder of the Red or Dead fashion chain and now Chair of Building for Life and Professor of Built Environment at Northumbria University and Alan Davey, Chief Executive of Arts Council England. 

Over the two and a half days the conference will feature 18 specialist breakout sessions, an open forum session and  5 study tours.  nalgao has pegged the conference fees to the same level as last year.

More details are in the conference section of this website.

Click here to download the PDF with the detailed conference programme and booking form

New Welsh Heritage Minister Appointed

Alun Ffred Jones has been appointed as Heritage Minister following the resignation of Rhodri Glyn Thomas. Jones was born in Brynaman and educated in the University of Wales, Bangor. Before his election, he was a Television director and producer for Ffilmiau`r Nant and, before that, he was a Welsh teacher and Head of Department and a journalist with HTV. Alun Ffred Jones is the former Leader of Gwynedd County Council. His main political interests are in broadcasting, community development and the economy. He speaks Welsh, English and French and enjoys theatre, sports and gardening.

New study into amateur arts launched

Our Creative Talent: the voluntary and amateur arts in England
 
The largest study into the amateur and voluntary arts was unveiled at a conference in London on 2 July 2008. Commissioned by the DCMS in association with the Voluntary Arts Network (VAN), Arts Council England, nalgao and other bodies, ‘Our Creative Talent’ examines the nature, and contribution of this grassroots sector to the UK cultural ecology.  It also looks at the nature of Adult Education for the creative sector.  The report’s Executive Summary can be found in the Policy Issues section of this website and the complete report can be downloaded from:

http:// www.culture.gov.uk/ images/publications/ VoluntaryArtsreport.pdf

Regional Cultural Consortia Face Axe in Structural Shake Up

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge today announced plans to strengthen DCMS engagement in regional policy through a new, simplified and improved way of working which could involve the disappearance of the Regional Cultural Consortia after a nine year life span. For the first time, the DCMS's four key agencies in the regions - Arts Council England, Sport England, English Heritage and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council – will have a duty to work together to jointly deliver a core set of shared priorities across the culture and sport agenda.

However, whilst the Government has pledged to remove NDPB status and thus DCMS cash from Cultural Consortia from next April, this does not necessarily mean that they will automatically disappear. Read the rest ...