Town’s arts festival is set for comeback (From Bournemouth Echo)

Town’s arts festival is set for comeback

1:00pm Thursday 6th November 2008 in

By Melanie Vass »

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BOURNEMOUTH is set to revive the tradition of an annual arts festival in a bid to boost its cultural credentials.

A newly-formed arts and culture board is aiming to launch an inaugural festival in 2010, to tie in with the town’s bicentennial celebrations.

And it’s hoped the event will take off and become one of the highlights of the year, rivalling similar festivals in Brighton and Salisbury.

Cllr Ian Lancashire, the council’s arts, design and heritage champion, said: “I think it would be fantastic if we had a nationally recognised festival, similar to Brighton.

“It puts the town on the map. With the air festival and our festival, Bournemouth is going to become quite an interesting place to live.”

The arts and culture board is also seeking to make it easier to find out what’s going on in the town.

Cllr Lancashire said: “There’s lots going on in Bournemouth but that is not the perception. People do not know what is going on and don’t know where to look to find out.

“We want a one-point access to information, whether it’s a concert by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra or a show by the scouts.

“A good arts provision starts from education upwards and I would like to see artists visiting schools and children visiting the Pavilion to see how it works. I would also like to see some public art around the town and I think we should link up with the university and the arts institute.

“We also want to encourage regeneration with creative industries creating an arts area, possibly somewhere like the Triangle.”

Comments(5)

John T says...
4:34pm Thu 6 Nov 08

Cllr Ian Lancashire, the council's arts,design and heritage champion said: 'It puts the town on the map. With the air festival and our festival, Bournemouth is going to become quite an interesting place to live.'
What Classic oversell by our Champion!

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West Howe Sean says...
8:31pm Thu 6 Nov 08

Lets hope this is a long term commitment. With at least a five year business plan and a marketing strategy to build audiences. Otherwise it will be dropped after a couple of years due to lack of interest.
It will take commitment and resources to build a sustainable festival to rival the Salisbury festival.
If the Bournemouth council would work with the Arts Council it might be possible to set up Dorset Arts Marketing to develop and co-ordinate publicity and marketing strategies throughout the county.
If the Arts were given priority over exhibitions and conferences then maybe the Pavilion would have a chance of developing a programme that in the long term would grow and develop audiences.
Please do it, but do it properly.

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The Seasider says...
1:21am Fri 7 Nov 08

Im all for it. Bournemouth has always been a cultural desert in relation to most towns its size. People love to get togeather in a community family fun type events- like the Candle evenings in the gardens, the town centre Christmas market/ French market etc., always seem very popular. Have lots of small huts/ stalls with artists work on show and for sale. Also how about live displays such as glass blowing/ ice sculpture/ pottery/ painting at varied times. Envite dance groups/ schools/ theatre groups/ quartets/ bands to put on short plays/ musical performances in the gardens or square. There is huge potential for this to be really successful, and once the ball starts rolling, the momentum will gather year on year- go for it I say.

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GetInThere says...
8:45am Fri 7 Nov 08

One thing Bournemouth was once known for in the 80s was the incredible breakdancers on the pier who went on to become world champions. I train with them weekly now and constantly wish there was a 'safe' spot for us to dance outside in the summer. I'd love to see something like this encouraged. It's what Bournemouth was known for for many years by a whole generation.

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mrderek says...
9:03am Fri 7 Nov 08

Ever heard of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted? There was a time Bournemouth was very well known around the world for arts and entertainment - we opnce had two top class orchestras carrying the name of the town round the world. We let one slip away. We once had a superb concert hall and stage - the Winter Gardens. We let that go. We had an ice rink and swimming baths that put on top class entertainment. We let them go. Does Cllr Lancashire really believe that all that momentum can be put back into place overnight? Enjoyment of the arts - and that does not refer to over-amplified pop groups - comes through education. You learn to enjoy opera and ballet, for example, through attending performances from an early age. Only once or twice a year do we have the chance to see anything like that in Bournemouth. Cllr Lancashire talks about creating events that will bring people to Bournemouth. Why? So they can get on the bus and travel to Poole to watch the "Bournemouth" Symphony Orchestra perform? Time he woke up to the fact that all people come to this town for are stag and hen nights, lap dancing and all night binge drinking. An arts festival? Put the money into keeping the streets clean and hygenic instead.

Town’s arts festival is set for comeback (From Bournemouth Echo)

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