State of the Arts, the national conference for the arts and culture sector, is returning for its third year with a focus on the artist's role in contributing to a changing society.
Held outside London for the first time this year, the conference - which attracted over 500 industry professionals in 2011 - will be hosted by the Arts Council in conjunction with the BBC, Salford City Council and Manchester City Council.
Artists' bursaries
For artists, we are offering 50 bursaries which will cover: a ticket to State of the Arts including the pre conference arts events, travel and one night's accommodation. Information about how to apply for a bursary will be announced on our website on Monday 12 December.
Event programmeKey industry contributors include:
•Kirsty Wark, journalist and television presenter•Hofesh Shechter, choreographer•Alex Poots, Festival Director, Manchester International Festival•Michael Morris, Co-Director, Artangel•Arlene Phillips, choreographer •Baba Israel, Artistic Director and CEO, Contact Theatre•Shiva Feshareki, composer•Stella Hall, Festival Director, Preston Guild 2012Debates and conversations will focus on:
•Artists and a changing society
•Artists and the imagination
•Artists boosting the creative economy
•Artists shaping communities
•Artists and international perspectives
•Artists and young people
•Artists and audiences - great art for everyone
•Artists and fundraising
•Artists and our future environment
Pre-conference arts activities
In addition to the main conference, on Monday 13 February delegates will be given the opportunity to attend a series of pre-conference arts activities curated by Manchester International Festival, in partnership with Cornerhouse, Whitworth Art Gallery, The Hallé and the Royal Northern College of Music.
Events include a performance from world-music duo Amadou and Mariam; a lecture by renowned theatre director Robert Wilson; and a private view of Whitworth Art Gallery's Cotton: Global Threads exhibition featuring new work from Yinka Shonibare, Lubaina Himid and Jeremy Deller.
Early booking offer - £80
Book before 25 December 2011 and attend the special pre-conference arts activities curated by Manchester International Festival for free.
(Standard ticket including pre-conference activities - £110)
The full programme for both State of the Arts and the pre-conference activities will be announced soon.
For more details click here
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/about-us/conferences-training/state-arts-2012/