The following are details of previous gatherings:

Gathering on the 4 March 2008

Another great night was had and we heard from:

• Liz Lavender, Arts Services Festivals Co-ordinator, about this years Summer Festival and bowl concerts. If you would like more information or to get in touch please email Liz on llavender@swindon.gov.uk.

• Keith Phillips, Create Studios Film & Digital Media Development Officer, gave us an insight into the New BBC Big Screen. Erik Burnett-Godfree is the Community Producer, for the Big Screen. His contact details are - Tel: 01793 440121. Email: bigscreenswindon@bbc.co.uk. More details on the big screen: www.swindon.gov.uk/artsminds384.pdf
• Mike Pringle – Swindon Cultural Partnership. Gave as an update on what the Cultural Partnership has been up to and is working on. Details of what he spoke about can be found by clicking on the following link www.swindon.gov.uk/artsminds385.pdf
• Debbie Wolfsohn spoke about Music Alive, which offers opportunities, activities and support to enable children and adults with disabilities to make and enjoy music. They have recently had a successful music night at STFC Legends Lounge to launch their music CD Music Alive and Kicking. Full details of this group and how top buy the CD can be found at www.music-alive.org.uk.
• Martha Parry told of us the great work done to generate funds to help this years children's fete operate and if anyone does want to get involved please contact admin@artsminds.org.uk in the first instance and we will put you in touch with Martha.
• Rosemary Curtis spoke about a course organised by Voluntary Arts England. Although it was last week why not sign up to their newsletter and get information on all that they do delivered straight to your inbox.
• Gill Olney, talked about Artsmad and all that they are doing, including Sing Up Swindon and the Lantern Parade.
• Tony Hillier said a few words to introduce the literature festival and gave us another great poetry reading to help round of the night.
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Gathering on the 11 December 2007 - No agenda Christmas Party

On the 11th December Artsminds were invited to attend the alternative Christmas Panto, Beauty and the Beastie. A big thank you to the Wyvern Theatre for the tickets.

Gathering on the 7 August 2007 - No agenda at RiffsBar.

Artsminds is all about visiting differenr venues and over 50 members turned up for a drink a dn chat at Riffs Bar near hook to hear local bands.

Gathering on the 31 May 2007 - Artsminds Arts Q&A

Venue: Swindon Dance, Town Hall

The Artsminds Q&A was well attended by over 40 people all ready and eager to hear about plans for Swindon's cultural future and to pose questions...and pose they did.

Sarah-Jane Meredith from South West Screen, Jan Tierney, chair of the Swindon Cultural Partnership, Peter James, Director of the New Swindon Company and Justin Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Recreation answered questions put to them in a lively and interesting debate and discussion.

The session was recorded and notes taken. The report will be available soon.

Gathering on the 25 April 2007

Venue: The Wyvern Theatre, Harlequin Bar

The gathering returned to their original format with talks from:

• Sarah Dawnay, bringing us up to date on the Swindon Cultural Partnership;
• Jill Carter talking about her ‘Drawn to India’ trip;
• Veronica Loveless, the new Artsmatrix Professional Development Coordinator;
• An update on Artsminds activities:
• A performance from local musician Claire Covington;
• Jump on spots by Kirsty Carter from Artsmad, Rich Craven from the Swindon Shuffle, a music festival in July, Sian from the Wyvern Theatre explained about the artist space they have in the Wyvern, Helen Miah updated us all on the Wiltshire and Swindon Arts Alliance, Tony Hillier reminded us about the Literature Festival starting in May and Lindsay Shaw provided information on Flame FM a 4 week radio station looking for help and support.

To download the full report please click on the following:

Report for Meeting - 25 April 2007

Gathering on the 27 February 2007

Venue: The Arts Centre

It was No Agenda time again up at the Arts Centre and what a night!

Around 40 people enjoyed bluetoothing their pictures on to a rolling gallery, or looking at the array of pictures on the walls and images, still and moving been run on a big screen.

Lots of new faces once again joined us which is fantastic and takes the membership close to the 200 mark.

The evening was run in conjunction with cre8 studios and the Digital Arts Exhibition. An innovative range of still and moving pictures all created using digital technology whether cameras, computers, printers or mobile phones.

Gathering on the 27 November 2006

Venue: The Bible Society.

Agenda

• 6.00pm arrival and coffee
• 6.30pm introductions and welcomes
• 6.35pm The Swindon Cultural Partnership – Laura Dennis
• 6.50pm Break
• 7.00pm Visual arts update and open studios
• 7.10pm Kirsty Carter - Artsmad
• 7.15pm Rhona Jack from Blue Click PR
• 7.30pm Luke Walton - Bible Society

To download the full report please click on the following:

Report for Meeting - 27 November 2006

Laura Dennis's and Kirsty Carter's presentations are available to download - please click the following links.
Laura Dennis's presentation
Kirsty Carter's presentation

Gathering on the 25 September 2006

Venue: The Community Crossroads (former Railway Museum), Faringdon Road.

Agenda

• 6.00pm - 6.30pm drinks with an Ice breaker
• 6.30pm - 7.00pm Artsminds update - development team / website / marketing / information hub etc
• 7.00pm - 7.30pm Artsminds open floor -
• 7.30pm - 8.00pm The rolling exhibition - an insight into how it was created and what next?

To download the full report please click on the link following:

Report for Meeting - 25 September 2006

Gathering on the 25 July 2006

NO AGENDA GATHERING

The Gathering on the 25 July was the second NO AGENDA gathering.

This means there was no planned presentations, events or activities. The evening saw Artsminds members and local creative practitioners, who may not already be a member of Artsminds, in a social atmosphere, chat, network and enjoy what was a very pleasant summer's evening.

Download Meeting Report

To download the full report please click on the following link:

Report for Meeting - 25 July 2006

Gathering on the 24 May 2006

The evening

Held at the Community Crossroads, the first Artsminds Showcase again saw new faces not only attending but showcasing themselves and their work.

Talking on the evening were:

• Andy Preston – musician
• Judith Cranswick – author
• Tom Ward - Sandstorm Media – production company
• Andy Hill – Wyvern Theatre
• Janet Korsak, Coolscapes Ltd - Garden water sculptures company
• Maggie Harris - Faculty head of Art and Design, Music and Technology at St Josephs Catholic college Swindon
• Gordon Dickinson – local artist and part of No Added Sugar

Download Meeting Report

To download the full report please click on the following to:

Report for Meeting - 24 May 2006

Further Information

Visit the website of the Community Crossroads

Gathering on 27 March 2006

The Evening

More new faces, licensing, the Swindon Cultural Partnership and speed networking...

The evening was opened with poetry by Community Poet Tony Hillier, welcoming the National Trust to Swindon. Sarah Dawnay from the Swindon Cultural Partnership gave an insight into the role the Cultural Partnership is to play in Swindon. Lionel Starling from SBC gave an insightful talk on the licensing law. The Business Card and Spotlight on areas of the Artsminds website were officially launched, and Speed Networking made a welcomed return.

Download Meeting Report

To download the full report please click on the following to:

Report for Meeting - 27 March 2006

Further Information

Visit the website of the Swindon National Trust Offices

Gathering on 25 January 2006

The Evening

Artsminds hosted a unique ‘roundtable rumble’ on the future of arts in Swindon.

Attending to take questions and give their view of the future of arts in Swindon were:

• Celia Carrington, Director Environment and Leisure, Swindon Borough Council
• Phil Gibby – Arts and Business Regional Director
• Dr Daniel Hinchcliffe - ICIA, Head of Visual Art and Academic Development
• Peter James - Chief Executive, the New Swindon Company

Download Meeting Report

To download the full report please click on the following to:

Report for Meeting - 25 January 2006

Further Information

ICIA at Bath University (www.bath.ac.uk/icia)

Gathering on 20 September 2005

Speakers

• Louisa Davison - Arts Marketing Association
• Ruth Jones - Get Sorted and The Swindon and Wiltshire Community Foundation.

Gathering Overview

The results from the Artsminds consultation were presented, with open sessions from Nema El-Nehas, Arts Council England South West; Peter Snowman, Swindon’s Film Festival; and Stuart Gould, Frequency Magazine.

Download Meeting Report

To download the full report please click on the following to:

Report for Meeting - 20 September 2005

Gathering on 28 June 2005

Speakers

• Helen Miah - Arts Services Manager
• Rachel Hemingway - Arts & Business
• Kirsty Carter - Strategic Coordinator : Artsmad
• Gill Nichol - Artsmatrix
• Sally Moss - National Trust

Gathering Overview

Artsminds 1st Birthday gathering topped off an already successful year. With Jake the Juggler, lots of presentations, the launch of a consultation to help define Artsminds, a fabulous cake and the biggest turn out we have had!

Download Meeting Report

To download the full report please click on the following to:

Report for Meeting - 28 June 2005