Arts contributes to the economic prosperity of the Borough by assisting self-employed artists in West Devon and by promoting events that attract visitors into the Borough. The work of the section is governed by the Arts Strategy. The section will be involved with the evolving Cultural Strategy and Community Plan.

What we do

• · Disseminate current arts related information through the quarterly 'Arts Update'
• · Support Professional Training for artists and arts groups through 'STRAW' (Skills Training and Rural Arts Week)
• · Support Open Studios opportunities through 'Nine Days Of Art'
• · Increasing audience numbers and workshop participants through the 'Villages In Action' scheme
• · Encourage young people to participate in creative opportunities using new media through 'DX2'
• · Help to develop showcasing and exhibition opportunities in West Devon.
• · Increase Public Art in West Devon and 'Percent for Art' opportunities in new developments.
• · Help to develop links with agriculture, tourism and other local businesses with 'Aune Head Arts'
• · Help to develop links with the Health Sector in particular art in the New Okehampton Community Hospital

2002/2003 Service Plan Objectives	2002/2003 Achievements vs. Objectives
Support Nine Days of Art open studios and training courses	80+ Artists supported to exhibit/ sell work Training programme completed
Regular mail outs to artists and organisations detailing art opportunities	8 Mail outs in 2002. Individual projects advised and funding applications supported
Develop the arts service web pages with links to events and organisations	Live links now in place to events and organisations
Develop opportunities for showcasing the arts	Organised Okehampton Show: Arts Marquee with displays and demonstrations
Develop links with/opportunities for schools	Supported 3 expressive Arts events in Schools
Pursue Arts and Agriculture opportunities	Supported initiatives in Okehampton with engaged communities in Agriculture
Support Wolf and Water ‘Intrepid’ project	Training was provided to 3 Artists
Support VIA Rural Touring Scheme encouraging new villages to participate	Rural touring performances were held in 13 communities in the Borough. 25 performances were held and 13 workshops

2003/2004 Key Service Plan Objectives

• · Maintain contact with 80+ West Devon artists.
• · Attend 4 STRAW meetings· Support Professional Training for the two Nine Days of Arts area reps.
• · 8 mailouts during 2003
• · Create 10 new website links
• · Support 20 local projects through small grants
• · Help to develop 2 new exhibitions opportunities for artists
• · Encourage 4 new villages to book Villages in Action events
• · Support 8 participatory workshops for young people aged 14 –25
• · Support 3 expressive arts events in schools· Create 1 new public art work

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