Overview
Coaching community organisations involved in arts & culture is a skill that is entrenched in Community Consultations. This sole trading entity, is a place where community groups, organisations, events, workshops and conferences can go for advice and support. Where committees can engage in frank and open discussion regarding the development, operation and sustainability of their organisation, event or group.
What is Art & Culture Support?
It is the support of practitioners, suppliers and organisers to the sector. It is the development and initiation of structures, policies and processes that underpin the sustainability, growth, recognition and influence of the various components that make up a local arts and cultural environment. Support will necessarily touch on legislation, insurance, marketing, security and venues. Support and consultation will always be safe and confidential.
How can you benefit from Art & Cultural support?
Benefits can take many forms from securing a stable management committee, following a strategic plan for the next 3 years, moving from a government funded [grant supported] programme to a self funded [Social Enterprise] programme. It can mean developing or maybe just marketing organisational credability to secure support for an expansion programme.
Types of Art & Culture Support?
As alluded to earlier there are a number of areas where support is needed in the sector and a few examples are;
Marketing – market definition, product definition, drafting of Publicity Plan, professional media management etc.
Policy and Procedure – Imperative that policies and procedures are drafted and considered as a continous work in progress, everything from OH&S to working with children, recording public images to employee and volunteer working conditions.
Insurance – Protection required eg; Public liability, assets, Directors & Officers, Volunteer Accident….
Examples
The extent that John is engaged in the development of the art & culture sector across the region is summarised with the following few examples, which are in addition to the input to community development through various art & cultural forums, working groups and the input and development to a number of web sites. ,
Brackets and Jam Central Coast with John as chair and a dedicated committee, has grown from a monthly musical performance event for a maximum of 50 community members to an event that has up to 450 patrons in Gosford City with a second event in the Wyong Shire. Brackets have also supported Work for the Dole schemes and up to 20 other community events each year across the coast, encouraging self determination within the community. Brackets is a Social enterprise generating continued sustainability through its own initiatives eg; membership, performances, asset hire skills hire. See www.bracketsandjam.com
Fusion Central Coast the hub of Art and Culture on the coast where John along with others, was instrumental in development of strategies, including community insurance scheme aiming to make the group financially independent and move forward representing and supporting art and culture initiatives. See www.fusionarts.org.au
CoastFest as 1 of 3 Directors of 3 annual events, John was driven by the objective of creating a sustainable regional community family festival. See www.coastfest.org.au
Central Coast Kids Day Out where as an active committee member & Treasurer, continues to present the event as a ‘must go’ for families on the coast encompassing music and performance, storytelling and dance to help tell the stories. See www.kdo.org
ArtsBarn a Social Enterprise driven by John and other community members in partnership with the local council, FusionArts & Brackets & Jam aims to become an art & cultural Hub for organisations across the coast. See www.artsbarn.org.au