A new publication from London-based advocacy group Common Practice puts forward new possibilities for assessing benefits and attracting funding in a changing art landscape.
Building on Common Practice’s 2011 report Size Matters, Value, Measure, Sustainability: Ideas Towards the Future of the Small-Scale Visual Arts Sector, is written by Rebecca Gordon-Nesbitt. It was generated by a day-long symposium and open meeting with representatives of small-scale arts organisations in the UK, ranging from building-based S1 Artspace in Sheffield and Spacex in Exeter, to the Whitstable Biennale and publications Afterall and Mute.
By comparing evaluations of merit in the art world with those in different sectors – notably that of development and psychology – the report considers different ways of measuring the artistic contributions of small organisations, looking beyond footfall and the econometric indices that are the methods currently preferred by public funding bodies.
Gordon-Nesbitt attempts to outline how cultural ‘value’ has been conceived and, more practically, discusses how organisations might deal with the decreasing levels of public subsidy and the UK’s worsening economic conditions. As part of this, the report looks at how funding from private sources and new partnership schemes might be developed.
Download a copy of Value, Measure, Sustainability: Ideas Towards the Future of the Small-Scale Visual Arts Sector
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Ladders for development – Dany Louise report quantifying and discussing the likely impact on the visual arts of ACE’s decisions on 15 previously RFO visual arts organisations unsuccessful in their NPO application (May 2011).
Realising the value – Follow up report to ‘Ladders for development’. Dany Louise interviews ‘Ladders’ organisations again to find out how they’ve fared and what their futures hold.
