Creative Partnerships Update

Earlier in the summer, I promised you further news about the national review of our CCE funded programme, Creative Partnerships. I hoped to be able to tell you about: -

• how the network of area delivery organisations responsible for Creative Partnerships would be assessed to ensure its fitness for purpose.

• the sort of programmes the network would be expected to deliver after March 2011.

Unfortunately, we don’t yet have this information to share. What we do know is that CCE have had many discussions with Arts Council England (their primary funder) about the future of their work and the implications for organisations like TMC. This is what we understand so far: -

• That CCE (and TMC) should prepare for a cut to our current funding, although how big a cut will not be known until after the Government announces the outcome of the spending review on October 20th. The amount is likely to be greater than the 10% being planned for by Arts Council England’s regularly funded organisations.

• That there is a commitment to support the Creative Partnerships programme to the end of the current academic year in July 2011. As the area delivery organisation for the East Midlands, TMC is planning to have staff in place to ensure that the programme is completed.

• Arts Council England has said it is committed to maintaining a network of area delivery organisations. They have also started planning for a review of how all cultural programmes are delivered to young people this Autumn. The timing and extent of this review is still not certain, but it is intended to have been completed by March 2011 to inform future funding decisions.

This is what I know for now...

I am working closely with TMC’s Board and staff to manage our response to these various developments and remain committed to sharing as much information as I can get.

Look out for my next update after September 9th when we will be meeting with CCE to get an update on national plans and priorities.

Of course, Creative Partnerships is only one part of our funding jigsaw. We are developing new business ideas and already deliver a whole host of other exciting initiatives with our partners across the region.

I look forward to keeping you informed of progress on Planet TMC. It’s an old cliché, but please do watch this space!