Comments on: New Maps For Old?

By: Norman Bissell

Norman Bissell — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:21:04 +0000

I can’t really agree, George, I came away encouraged by the conference, particularly the approaches being taken by Dana and Gwilym to build successful arts centres which do provide work for artists. Community Trusts and arts groups still have access to Lottery and other funds and artists can work with them in their projects. Hi-arts supports artists in lots of ways through publicising their work, the writing and music co-ordinators etc. Collaboration with other artists and community groups is one of the ways forward and I’m going to Orkney in January to work with dancers, musicians and archaeologists at the Pier Arts Centre.

By: Gerry Reynolds

Gerry Reynolds — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 22:19:54 +0000

The government defines social enterprises as “businesses with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.”

What a shame such a splendid idea was not circulating before the government privatised British Gas.

That 7% price hike is going to play havoc with heating kilns all over the Highlands this winter…

By: Jelica

Jelica — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:04:37 +0000

In my mind there is a difference between cultural enterprise, social enterprise and cultural social enterprise. Running a cafe in an arts venue is surely a cultural enterprise -and can only be social if specific benefits are made for staff, due care is taken over sourcing of drink/food provided etc. I would be asking any organisation that calls itself a social enterprise how they put people first -and that would include staff (wherever they may be based) as well as the public/audience. Or am I maybe a wee bit old-fashioned in thinking that ‘social’ actually refers to people and not ‘other income streams’ out with funding. This is the kind of debate I would like to see.

By: Kenny Mathieson

Kenny Mathieson — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:02:08 +0000

George

We’d welcome a debate, and some input from the practicing artists out there – as I said in the piece, they didn’t get much of a focus in the remit of that particular event. The issues you raise go much wider.

By: George Gunn

George Gunn — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:03:00 +0000

Dear Kenny

were you at the same conference as me? How about some critical dialogue – there was none at the conference. It ws ashop window for HIE to sell them selves to CS. What is the future for the arts in the Highlands and Islands? What are we going to do now that there is no money? What use are HIE and Hi-Arts, actually, to living artists? Moray is threatening to abadon cultural provision all together. Highland is forming an at arms length trust. Where is the debate? Stop being so complacent.