South West Arts and South West Arts Marketing have commissioned consultants McCann Matthews Millman to undertake the first major regional research and benchmarking study of the arts in England.
Through this, cutting-edge knowledge of the local and regional market place will be delivered to South West Arts, Local Authorities, arts organisations and other agencies. The study will embrace upwards of 500 arts organisations, covering everything from classical music and opera to street arts and video, from puppetry and poetry to painting and photography.
The work will take place in two phases: the first phase will run from May to November 2001, during which artists and arts organisations, Local Authorities and other agencies, will be invited to participate by sending information about their activities, audiences and participants. This information will be analysed to provide clear indicators of the scope of arts activity in the region, and of levels of usage. The second phase, in 2002, will include researching audiences’ opinions and attitudes, and delivering training to arts organisations.
The study is not simply an academic exercise. It will equip artists and arts organisations to understand and meet needs of their existing audiences, and to develop new audiences; it will provide Local Authorities and other stakeholders with valuable data for use in planning, Best Value reviews,
and performance indicators; it will help to drive up standards of research and market intelligence within the region; and it will deliver long-lasting methods for collecting and evaluating the contribution of artists and arts organisations in the South West.
Representatives of arts organisations across the region were invited to attend one of three regional roadshows in June, where the scope of the project was explained and there was an opportunity to ask questions of the partners and the Project Manager Anne Millman.
The next stage will be the distribution of a region-wide survey to artists, makers and cultural organisations, which aims to establish a comprehensive profile of a very broad range of arts events and activities offered to the public.
The findings will be shared with all participating organisations at regional meetings before the second phase of the research begins in 2002.
Anyone wishing to take part in the research but unsure whether their details are on the existing database should contact Claire Frank at South West Arts on 01392 218188.
2002-2008 © Audiences South West