Future Development
2007/8 is a big fund raising year for Prism Arts with the years 2008/11 requiring funding. Detailed plans of our future aspirations and plans can be seen in the Business Plan 2007-11
Starfish have run a separate project between March and June 2007, which has enabled four participants to develop and run workshops with a group of thirteen disabled children from Victoria School, Workington and eight of their parents; this resulted in two performances delivered to other schools and guests.
It is hoped that in the future Starfish can build upon the success of this project and can develop ‘satellite’ groups of Starfish around the County, some groups will meet regularly, others will be discrete projects operating within a set time frame. These satellite groups will initially be developed by Anchor Admin: the administration and management group made up of Starfish participants.
Starfish Theatre Company has been working towards a new ‘short’ production which incorporates a message about team work and anti bullying with their love of football, this short piece will be included alongside new productions in future performances and will also form the basis of future workshops run in schools and Community settings; it is called Starfish United; it features drama, dance and music and will be premiered in July 2007.
Spinning Yarns has held a series of celebratory exhibitions and workshops around the County (Barrow, Egremont, Longtown and Appleby) and is building up to a grand finale next year. It is hoped to obtain continuation funding for this project, which could quite easily be doubled or trebled to match the overwhelming demand from older people. Many older people living in isolation would like to become involved in this unique project; we believe that it is unique in Cumbria - offering arts and crafts workshops which give skills, a creative outlet and a social network to isolated individuals and communities.
D.Art is developing IDAPT, in partnership with Theatre by the Lake, which will offer professional development training to disabled artists including a work placement experience. Initially this will focus upon artists living in the West of the County but it is hoped to extend this into the South of the County following a successful evaluation.
D.Art is also building upon the success of D.Art Day (October 06) with the development of small groups and meetings around the County. It is hoped to have another major conference in 2008, possibly linking into the involvement of Prism Arts with Liverpool 08 International DADA Fest, which will take place in November 2008.
The celebratory event of 10 May 2007 made use of the award, which was received alongside the trophy, for being voted Rural Arts Organisation of the Year. It provided celebratory workshops for our many friends and supporters, including making shadow puppets, playing the gamelan, music, dance and drama. It also gave an opportunity to showcase the progress made on our new web site which is currently still under construction but due to ‘go live’ during July 2007. The web site will have a forum space which will allow artists who are involved in our disability arts movement to maintain contact despite the isolation they may be experiencing in Cumbria.
Prism Arts is looking forward to working with Arts Council England North West to deliver the soon to be launched Disability Strategy and Action Plan and to continue working on the Board Bank Extra project which is identifying and training disabled people who are willing to become volunteer Board Members for arts organisations in Cumbria.
