Beyond now: growing international aspirations and ambitions for the arts in Wales.
Theatr Mwldan, Thursday 25 November 2010
MORNING SESSIONS
Technology, Communications and Networking led by Gareth Loudon
Discussion in this session centred around the environmental and lifestyle benefits of travelling or commuting less to a place of work, and how improved communications tools, systems and networks may be harnessed to support this and provide additional visibility for artist’s work and activities. There are of course benefits and drawbacks, new ways of working, new technologically induced ways of interacting with an audiences and creating work. Questions arose around the role of the artist in developing new technologies and the issue of artist access to cutting edge hardware and software. If you want to find out more, read on...
Creative Economy in 2020
Imagining the creative economy in 2020 was the basis for discussion during this session, both in terms of Wales and the world at large. Technology and access to information were key discussion points and felt to be substantial shapers of the future creative economy – particularly important in enabling artists from a country such as Wales to interact in a global context. Our creativity and ideas free us, help to develop entrepreneurship, but there are constraints on creative development. Funding and infrastructure were discussed, as were questions around how to plan. What does Wales need in order to take its rightful place in a global creative economy of the future? If you want to find out more, click here…
Cultural Relations and international profile for Wales led by Suzie Nicklin of the British Council
This session examined the value of touring and working internationally for companies and artists, and also questioned what the role and remit of artists could be as they travelled. Should artists play an active role in cultural diplomacy? How can a balance be struck between strategic exchanges and serendipitous exchange which grow organically from a relationship between creators based on communal interest or vision? How can the value of international exchange be recorded and the information gathered disseminated? For more information, click here...
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
Market Intelligence and working strategically – Welsh priorities led by Eluned Hâf
This session examined ways of evaluating international exchange and of capturing and disseminating the very valuable information that those engaged in international exchanges gather, so that the creative community of Wales as a whole can benefit. This is a significant issue for Wales Arts International as they often aren’t able to effectively communicate the value and impact of their investment. For more details of this discussion click here...
Developing Welsh / international networks, hubs and clusters led by Dilwyn Davies of Theatr Mwldan
This session opened with a discussion about what constitutes a hub – is it a physical place or a web space, a group? What should a hub provide; what is their role within a creative economy? Should it be open or closed? It moved on to look at the connections and indeed lack of connectivity between artform networks and how that holds back cross form creativity and collaboration. For more thoughts and ideas surrounding these issues, click here...
