Arts Policy and Strategy 2006 - 2009

1. To improve the quality of life for all Sandwell people, particularly children, young people and older people – this contributes to the Council’s priority, ‘Strengthening the protection and support for vulnerable children’.
2. To create opportunities to support formal and informal lifelong learning – this contributes to the Council’s priority, ’Educational Attainment’.
3. To celebrate the diversity of Sandwell’s communities, ensure inclusive participation and promote community cohesion- this contributes to the Council’s priority, ‘Safer, cleaner, stronger communities’.
4. To improve the health and well - being of Sandwell citizens.
5. To support the economic vitality of Sandwell, including maximising the visitor potential of residents and tourists

On the 16 December 2004 the Cabinet Advisory Team approved the report Arts at the Strategic Centre Developing A Sandwell Arts Strategy (Forward Plan RefeNo:CL002)

Venue Development

We will focus activity on a range of key venues, across the six towns, including West Bromwich Town Hall, Coneygre Youth Arts Centre, and Wednesbury Musuem and Art Gallery

Audience Development

The focus of this work will be in relation to:

• Commissioning a programme of culturally diverse activities that reflect a variety of art forms and support progression.
• Delivering the higher profile arts events whilst retaining a focus through the six Town Teams.

Commissioning Model

To deliver the arts for Sandwell and specifically the priorities indicated above a commissioning model is proposed as follows:

• The current Arts in Sandwell funding will be refocused to commission high profile, quality arts activity to support the above.

Partnership Working

The focus will be to strengthen local, Black Country, regional and national partnership working.

Arts Manager Appointed

In September 2005 Sandwell council appointed an Arts Manager to implement these changes and to develop an arts policy.

Following community consultations in February 2006 Arts for Sandwell will seek the approval of the Cabinet Advisory Team to implement its policies, priorities, and outcomes that contributes to the councils five aims. With the approval of the council, an arts programme for the year’s 2006- 2009 shall be progressed.

Garry Morris. Arts Manager. December 2005.
garry_morris@sandwell.gov.uk