The Nerve Centre is the new web portal for Bolton's Arts and Creative Industries, managed in partnership by Bolton Council, Bolton at Home and the University of Bolton.

If you are working within or looking to work within the Arts and Creative Industries in Bolton, this is your first port of call.  If you need some extra help, contact any of thenervecentre team or check out the business help section.  We link into a regional portal for Creative Industries via CIDS to ensure you get the latest in updates from across the Greater Manchester area.

This new mechanism for communication will allow Bolton’s creatives to keep up-to-date with all partners’ projects and initiatives.  Registering will give you

• Full access to the site, Monthly email update of news, events, opportunities and vacancies in Bolton's creative industries
• Promote your business for free in our Creative Directory and through adding in your own news and event

This Month's Creative Feature:

‘Regenerate’ A New Development Initiative for Public Artists

Bolton has always had a history of supporting creative talent and this autumn is no exception.  Bolton Council, in collaboration with the University of Bolton and Bolton at Home’s Housing Percent for Art team have announced a new £18,000 programme that supports the development of public art and space within the Borough. 

The programme, ‘Regenerate’, will be launched at the end of September with a 12 month mentoring scheme aimed at developing the skills of 8 emerging artists working within the public art realm. Further details about how to apply for the one to one mentoring scheme are to follow later this month.

Said Rebecca Albrow, Creative Industries Project Manager at the University of Bolton; “The Public Art agenda has been a key priority for the town for a number of years and we are very proud of the progress that has been made.  The town has a rich portfolio of both public art sculptures and community projects, but we now feel that investment has to be made into developing the skills of emerging artists.  We are excited to offer an accredited professional practice scheme that will see 8 artists mentored by some of the region’s outstanding designers of public space & art. 

                                    Public Art Project for All Saints Playarea, Farnworth

Gaynor Cox, Housing Arts Officer for Bolton at Home continued by saying; ‘The programme will bring together the expertise of colleagues across the North West to deliver a training programme that will benefit the Housing Percent for Art service by developing and retaining the skills of public artists in Bolton”.

Further developments are planned for 2009 and will include a national conference exploring the relationship between commissioning bodies, architects, developers and artists.  Furthermore, four events are scheduled to take place throughout 2009 aimed at addressing key priorities for professional artists. Further details on the ‘Regenerate’ programme will be posted later this month.

Latest Press Release

Mooch artist of the year competition

Mooch art is looking for the next big talent. An artist who shows exceptional skill in their work and is most likely to succeed in the commercial art world. more