The Guernsey Arts Commission was launched last night at the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts. Sitting in front, left to right: Andre de Carteret, Catriona Stares and Eric Snell. Standing behind, left to right: Claire Le Pelley, Joanna Littlejohns, Tony Gallienne, Nick Creed, Dave Chilton, Barbara Minta, Piet Whitehorne and Mark Helyar. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0588500)
The Guernsey Arts Commission was launched in front of a capacity crowd last night. More than 260 people attended the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts as the group met for its official inauguration.
The commission aims to provide a strong voice for the arts, to raise its public profile and to promote its importance. Commission chairman Tony Gallienne said its creation came at an opportune time and built on the vibrancy that already exists.
‘The Guernsey Arts Commission exists to serve the arts community,’ he said. ‘It could be considered a resource for funding, strategic focus, public representation, as an advocate for the arts.
‘It does not exist to lead or dictate or prescribe, but it does exist to provide a strategic structure to activities or aspirations where that is lacking, to encourage initiatives where there are none, to strengthen areas which are weak and to encourage cross-disciplinary co-operation and partnership.’
He added that at a time when creativity and innovation were key to the success of Guernsey business, the arts were more relevant than ever before.
Commissioner and Public Art sub-committee chairman Eric Snell said that the initiative was a positive vehicle to move forward with, one in which to embrace and develop the arts.
He said the arts would be pivotal in the growth and economic development of Guernsey.
‘The arts are a very important part of our society. In fact, they are the very fabric of our society:, the arts are like a mirror, they give a very robust, honest view of where we are,’ said Mr Snell.
He said the hope was the commission would be a strong voice for the arts.
‘In the thick of it, keen to embrace new ideas, keen to support young artists, funding for new initiatives, interested in taking risks and changing conventional thinking.’
In 2009, the commission will have a budget of £100,000, but also help people find sponsorship for events and initiatives.
Various funding options could be used.
It will provide direct funding, match sponsorship like for like, or perhaps underwrite an event if there was a risk it might make a loss if, for example, it was rained off.
For more information go to www.arts.gg.
Article posted on 5th June, 2008 - 2.29pm
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