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.’

• For more information go to www.arts.gg.