With apologies for cross-posting.
DCMS press release
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148/99 4 June 1999
REGIONAL CULTURAL CONSORTIUMS
Chris Smith invites nominations to chair new bodies promoting culture
and the creative industries in the English regions
New Regional Cultural Consortiums to champion the role and importance
of culture and the creative industries in the English regions, were
announced today by Culture Secretary Chris Smith.
And the search is on to find the first Chairs for each Consortium -
individuals and organisations up and down the country are invited to
put forward names for their local Chair.
The Consortiums will assist the improved delivery of regional
cultural services and draw up a regional cultural strategy feeding
into the work of the Regional Development Agency and other
organisations in the region. They will also have a role in
developing the Lottery distributors' strategies.
Members of the new bodies will be drawn from local authorities, the
creative industries and regional agencies, and will encompass the
arts, museums, tourism, the built heritage, archives, libraries,
sport, film and architecture. It will be open to each RCC to invite
people from other sectors to become members in order to reflect the
make-up of its region.
Chris Smith said that his plans for the RCCs followed a widespread
consultation, and reflected the importance the Government attaches to
achieving an inclusive agenda for culture in the regions:
"Culture and creativity are vital to all of us: they are key to our
quality of life and also to the success of our economy. We want
culture to have a strong voice in the regions, to help ensure that
people in all parts of the country have access to the best quality
cultural services.
"Cultural and tourism strategies are acknowledged in the guidance for
Regional Development Agencies as factors they must take into
consideration. The new Regional Cultural Consortiums will play a
vital role in making sure that cultural interests receive their due
recognition from the other elements of the new regional picture."
Preparations are now underway to establish the new regional bodies,
which are due to come on line later this year. Chris Smith is
seeking to appoint the first Chairs of the Consortiums as soon as
possible and is inviting individuals and organisations from each
region to put forward names of those who could best represent their
region.
Chris Smith continued:
"We want the regions themselves to come forward with candidates for
the chairmanship of the new bodies. We are looking for people who
are recognised as a significant figure in their region and who are
well able to represent and speak for culture in its widest sense".
Notes to Editors
1. The decision to establish Regional Cultural Consortiums was
announced in December in A New Cultural Framework (DCMS News Release
309\98).
Nominations for Chairs for the new RCCs should be addressed to Colin
Burton at the Department for Culture (LRI Division), at the above
address.
2. The new Consortiums will encourage a joined-up approach to
cultural activities throughout the country, building on the
foundations already laid by the existing informal Regional Cultural
Forums. In the West Midlands, for example, a report is soon to be
launched on boosting cultural tourism in the region and a joint
campaign, Celebrating Arts, Heritage and Crafts in the Millennium,
has been put together drawing in support from local authorities, the
Heart of England Tourist Board, West Midlands Arts, the Regional
Museums Council, the Local Government Association, the New Millennium
Experience Company and European regional funding.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH
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Stuart Brewer
Pat Wressell Associates
36 Highbury
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 3EA
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 191 281 3502
Fax: +44 (0) 191 212 0146
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