We're hoping to run two or more events in the run up to the Eastbourne Cultural Festival ( due to take place in March 2008) which will help artists to prepare for Open Houses and for events which they may want to run. We've applied for a New Initiatives Grant from Eastbourne Borough Council which we hope will enable us to do this. We want our events to be a focal point where people can exchange information and ideas and we hope that we will contribute to the development of a lively and vibrant arts community in Eastbourne.
We built a mailing list and sent out questionnaires to ask what artists would like a Professional Development programme to include. After months of talking to interested people, consulting and discussing possibilities, we put together an introductory evening of speakers from 5 organisations to give 10 minute talks on artists' resources already available in the wider area (De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill; Fabrica, Brighton; Talk about the Work, artists' critique group, Claremont Studios, Hastings; also a short introduction to the new Eastbourne Cultural Centre due to open Easter 2008 and to the Eastbourne Open Houses 2008.
We had over 90 people book for the Blue Monkey Professional Development and Networking event held on Tuesday 19 June at the Underground Theatre. The evening was a great success. We asked people to give some final feedback so we can tailor any future sessions to their needs.
Blue Monkey Studio held a Networking Event in Autumn 2006 supported by an Arts Council grant. This took place over 2 days and many artists and art managers came to the Studio. Lots of people asked for more events and expressed interest in other activities for artists to meet and develop their work and careers.
I attended this event too and then joined Blue Monkey Studio in November. Some time later Judith and I began to discuss putting together a programme of events for artists locally. We have spent the last few months meeting and talking to interested parties. We were extremely pleased to be given a grant by Willingdon Community School.This meant we could plan an initial event.
