2009: Creative Artists
December 2009: Celebrities and young people LEAP for the Lads Club!
Bolton boxer and WBA light welterweight champion, Amir Khan, joined staff, students and young people for the launch of fund-raising photo book, The Leap.
Bolton Lads & Girls Members Amir Khan
The book is the result of a collaboration between the University of Bolton and Bolton Lads and Girls Club aimed at encouraging young people to engage in the arts, education and enterprise. It includes photos of celebrities, sportsmen and young people taking a leap for charity. Money raised from the sale of the book will go towards funding for the Lads and Girls Club.
Amir Khan, who has been photographed for the book, began training as a boxer at the club. Other snapped celebrities include athlete Gordon Campbell, comedians Paddy McGuinness and Dave Spikey, and BBC presenters Gordon Burns, Ranvir Singh and Dianne Oxberry.
The photography book is being sold at Waterstones Bolton, Sweetens and Bolton Central Library. The book retails at £9.99 and all profits go directly to supporting the Lads & Girls Club.
You can view some video footage of the project at: http://www.vimeo.com/8060209|. For more information on the book, visit www.theleapproject.co.uk|
Previous Month's Creative Features:
November 2009: Four Masterclasses with ... the Music Industry
Bolton Council and The University of Bolton present four masterclasses to inform the area’s contemporary music industry. These events are your chance to gain practical tools and detailed insight from key figures in the UK music industry.
.jpg)
Workshop 1
Wednesday 25th November, 1:30 – 4:30pm
Speaker: Kate Butler
Kate Butler is a former BBC publicist turned freelance art and music PR consultant. She also co-hosts a specialist music show on community radio and is developing a new support service for independent music makers. This workshop aims to guide musicians in their first steps toward raising their profile online, in print and on air. From engaging with fans to winning media attention, participants will discover some handy tips and tools to help them on their way to making the most of their talent and their commitment to a career in music.
Workshop 2Wednesday 25th November, 6:00 – 9:00pm
Speaker: Mike Walsh
Mike is Head of Music at Xfm with 16 years of industry experience championing new music and working with leading artists Coldplay and Radiohead. This session looks at changes in consumer behaviour, how business is evolving and new opportunities in this dynamic time for the music industry. The latter part of the session will be a chance to pitch your music with on the spot feedback from this leading figure in new music.
Workshop 3
Friday 27th November, 1:30 – 4:30pm
Speakers: Dave Lawrence and Ron Atkinson
Dave Lawrence is a well respected tour manager recently working with Dizzee Rascal, Massive attack and Madness. He is also production manager for the Manchester International Festival and the Versus Cancer music events. Ron was head of A&R at ZTT Records (All Saints, Gabrielle, Seal, 808 State), tour managed Genesis, and worked for the now infamous Charisma Label where he worked with the Monty Python team on the album named ‘We are not Amused’. The workshop will begin with a facilitated ‘in conversation with… Dave Lawrence’ which will cover a range of touring related questions. This will be followed by a practical guide to planning a tour and budget management.
Workshop 4
Tuesday 1st December, 1:30 – 4:30pm
Speakers: Rob Adamson and Ron Atkinson
Rob works for publishing company Reverb whose releases have included Will Young, Sugababes and Turin Brakes and has writers that have written for Take That, Will Young and Delta Goodrem. This session will give you the oppor tunity to question a leading expert in publishing and learn practical tips and skills on how to start in publishing, the right networks and synchronisation of your music into film, tv and advertising.
Places are free but must be booked prior to the event due to popularity.
Email your name, address and contact details to artsdevelopment@bolton.gov.uk or call Mindee Hutchinson on 01204 334335.
This event is part funded by Arts Council England.
October 2009
Bolton at Home’s Neighbourhood Management Team (Bolton East) has recruited a Photographer in Residence for its ‘Breightmet – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ project.
Over a period of six months, the Housing Percent for Art funded project aims to document the physical and social conditions of the Breightmet area of Bolton, explore positive aspects of the neighbourhood, and reflect perceptions of the area using their artistic vision, through work with groups and individuals identified by the photographer and by Bolton at Home.
Bolton at Home is really excited to be working with photographer Les Monaghan, who will:
· engage and work with tenants and residents, schools, community groups and other agencies and organisations active within the Breightmet area to develop residents' personal photographic visions of their local area;
· develop innovative and creative methods of communicating with Bolton at Home's customers;
· capture and promote positive aspects of the neighbourhood for publicity, aimed at improving the perceptions among local residents and those outside the area;
· document the physical and social neighbourhood, and members of the community at home, at work and at leisure;
· reflect residents' perceptions of their environment, their community, and of their place within that community;
· document the work of Bolton at Home, the Bolton East Neighbourhood Management Team and Breightmet UCAN Centre in the Breightmet area;
· facilitate shadowing and work experience for students and emerging artists identified by Bolton at Home’s Housing Percent for Art service; and
· (as appropriate) develop proposals with groups or individuals, initiate participative activities and contribute to the development of the residency.
Breightmet is one of the geographical target areas within Bolton, where people's quality of life is affected by at least five out of six deprivation issues, such as health, educational attainment, unemployment, the environment, crime, and housing. Bolton at Home's Neighbourhood Management Team (Bolton East) is based at Breightmet UCAN Centre and works with partners, service providers, residents, community and voluntary groups to focus on prioritising issues, develop joined up solutions and to try and 'narrow the gap' between the quality of life in contrast with the rest of the Borough.
Bolton at Home’s Housing Percent for Art service will keep thenervecentre.org.uk updated as the project progresses. In the meantime, you may want to keep an eye out for more exciting opportunities with Housing Percent for Art at http://www.thenervecentre.org.uk/vacancies.asp
September 2009: Sitcom Soldiers
Sitcom Soldiers was founded by Ben Thornley in 2003. Along with a bank of dedicated crew members, Ben fused his passions for film and music to form the basis of Sitcom Soldiers' portfolio, which has since grown to providing digital media creation for worldwide artists in music video production.
Ben says, "Very much at the heart of our discipline is the DIY approach and our team is creates a very personalised involvement with each project. This organic process ensures we’re not constrained by the usual hierarchy that can bog down traditional film production."
This tried and tested method and the high quality of videos made, has led to this small business working with major bands such as In Case Of Fire (best newcomer, Kerrang Awards), Therapy?, The Subways, A Wilhelm Scream, Outcry Collective and The Blackout. Final products have proven to be MTV worthy and have a heavy presence on the cable networks and the web.
"The majority of people who approach us now come through word of mouth and we seem to have a wide array of bands and labels who check in with us to deliver treatments on a regular basis. Our video for Deaf Havana is currently number one choice on Scuzz TV and many more of our videos are in rotation on the major music networks."
As a Bolton business, Sitcom Soldiers find resources locally as much as possible and are always on the lookout for new crew members, dancers, actors/actresses, and locations. "We like to constantly expand our network and scout for exciting artists to work with, so if people out there want to get in touch, please do so, even just for a chat."
Check out the Sitcom Soldiers showreel at www.sitcomsoldiers.com
Welcome to my World
A visual arts exhibition exploring issues of identity, personality and the inner world. Welcome to my World is the culmination of an innovative 2 year project bringing together hospital and community mental health services to create art and support recovery.
The exhibition will be launched as part of the celebrations for World Mental Health Day 2009, on Friday 9th October, 2pm at Neo Artists Gallery, Bolton Market Place (upper floor), BL1 2AL.
Exhibition open 1st to 18th October, Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Admission free.
For more information visit www.band.org.uk or ring 01204 546070.
August 2009: David Thacker
The University of Bolton has appointed the Octagon Theatre Bolton's new artistic director, Olivier award winning David Thacker, to the position of Visiting Professor of the Dramatic Arts, building upon the partnership between the two organisations.
David is working across three University subject areas passing on his expertise to those in the Media, Writing and Production areas, Creative Writing and Film and Media Studies.
Having directed over 100 theatre productions, David has worked at eight producing theatres including the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Young Vic, the Dukes Playhouse and the National Theatre.
His resume also spans the TV industry, having directed more than 30 TV productions including 'Walking the Dead' and 'Silent Witness'.
Now that the new season's programme for the Octagon has been developed, David is developing his new role at the University. Director of School for Arts, Media and Education Sam Johnston has said that 'David is already busy enriching the student experience with his work across dramatic arts subject areas. His own career experience, especially in theatre and television, brings a depth pf professional knowledge applicable to the studies of many of our students. His vision for what he wishes to achieve with us is exhilarating and we are thrilled at the opportunities we are developing for us to work ever-closer with the Octagon.
July 2009: Tabitha Sims on Gormley's Forth Plinth.
This month local artist, Tabitha Sims, is taking part in Antony Gormley’s ‘One & Other’ project. A 100 day project that will see 2400 people spend 1 hour each on Trafalgar Square’s Forth Plinth as human statues and exhibits.
Tabitha will be taking to the Plinth on Sunday 19th July at midday, and intends to capture the whole experience on camera. She will be taking photographs of views from the Plinth which will be used to form a montage for everyone to engage in. Tabitha is currently in the process of planning an exhibition in Bolton Town Centre, which will invite the public to participate in the Forth Plinth experience. Tabitha is hoping to launch this exhibition in September.
Say’s Tabitha “It is an honour to be part of such an important and historic art event and to have the opportunity to contribute to Mr Gormley's vision of contemporary society in Britain today. We all have our space in this thriving and diverse community that is Britain and to reflect on this ever changing landscape, is to reflect upon ourselves and our contribution to our Britain and our community."
Joining Tabitha on Monday 17th August at 3pm is Louise Coulson, a University of Bolton English Graduate. Louise intends to develop a sound scape whist on the plinth, which will be incorporated into the image exhibition in September.
If you would like to view either Tabitha or Louise taking part in Gormley’s Forth Plinth you can do so by visiting Sky Arts: http://www.skyarts.co.uk/
Further information about ‘One & Other’ is available at http://www.oneandother.co.uk.
June 2009: Art and design talent shines at University show
Bolton's latest art and design talent will be on display at the University's annual Creative Degree Show which opens to the public on 12 June, 2009.
Using different venues across the Deane Road campus, the show will exhibit a broad range of work by final year students in the School of Arts, Media and Education, including painting, sculpture, animation, textiles, graphics, product design, interior design, photography and short films.
Rebecca Albrow, Creative Industries Project Manager at the University, said: 'This showcase is the culmination of our art and design students' studies. It is a fantastic display of their diverse talents, creativity and hard work across many different types of media.'
The private view will take place on Thursday 11 June and the show will be open to the public from Friday 12 June, 10am - 4pm, weekdays only. The final day of the Degree Show will also coincide with a University Open Day on Saturday 20 June.
Pictures Copyright of the University of Bolton.
March 09: An Audience with...the Music industry
Thursday 5th March brought together those interested in 'Surving the digital age' within the music industry. The night explored the issues surrounding modern technology and the digital revolution.
Chair Stuart Worthington questioned the panel of industry experts who included Bill Devon, Operations manager at the Manchester School of Sound Recording, Conrad Murray, Manager of The Courteneers, Martyn Walsh from the Inspiral Carpets and Mike Walsh, Head of Music at XFM Manchester.
The event attracted those from the North West's contemporary music industry including professional musicians, promoters, event organisers and businesses.
.jpg)
Left to Right: Martyn Walsh, Conrad Murray, Mike Walsh, Stuart Worthington and Bill Devon
March 09: Northern Student Scriptwriters Conference
March 11th and 12th saw the first ever Northern Student Scriptwriters Conference take place at the Universities of Bolton and Huddersfield. Nearly 200 delegates attended this two day conference, which was an opportunity for undergraduates, postgraduates and new writers to learn about the mechanics of the scriptwriting industry and to participate in workshops and garner advice from successfully established writers. The first day of the conference at the University of Bolton dealt specifically with Film and Television writing, whilst the second day at the University of Huddersfield concentrated on Theatre and radio writing.
There were a number of sessions throughout the conference including masterclasses and workshops. In Bolton, speakers and workshop leaders include Willy Russell, Debbie Horsfield (Cutting it, True Dare Kiss), Andrew Critchley (Red Productions), Marc Boothe (B3 Media), Katherine Beacon (BBC Writers Room), Amy Buscombe (freelance script consultant) , and Tom Bidwell (Casualty, Company along the Mile)
In Huddersfield the audience heard from Willy Russell, Sue Roberts and Gary Brown (BBC Radio Drama), Sue Teddern (Radio writer and TV writer of My Family, Birds of a Feather), Colin Teevan (Playwright, How Many Miles to Basra?, Don Quixote) and Alex Chisholm (Associate Director, Literary, West Yorkshire Playhouse), as well as others from the scriptwriting world.
.jpg)
Left to Right: Yusuf Bhaimia, Luke Truppin, Willy Russell, Matt Mills and Refat Yasmeen
January 2009: Partched & Spectrum Promotions
Partched is an ongoing series of experimental music workshops run by the arts group, Spectrum Promotions, who are devoted to staging events and workshops designed to stimulate supportive environments for artistic expression and learning. Partched aims to provide opportunity for artists to express themselves through free music improvisation, with particular emphasis being placed on diversity, self and group awareness, listening, spontaneity and risk-taking.
Workshops offer the potential for personal growth and community development through musical experimentation, and participants are encouraged from a range of music backgrounds and traditions, as well as music that is from no tradition at all. Individuals and groups of any skill level are all welcome, as are practitioners from other disciplines such as visual artists, film-makers, poets etc. They take place every Tuesday evening, 7.30pm at the Brass Cat, Churchgate, Bolton.
Partched are also in the process of establishing a series of sound engineering workshops, where individuals can learn the basic principles of setting up sound equipment and recording techniques. More details of all activities can be found at www.partched.co.uk
