Apologies:Richard Croxford(RC), Ali FitzGibbon(AF),Kevin Lewis(KL), Karen Draisey (KD) Jeremy Turner (JT) 2.Notes of Last Meeting:
PH approved minutes, JM seconded approval. In a discussion of the action points of the last minutes, the following points were explored and updated
ACTION: SB to meet with Charlotte Jones from ITC after mid July
ACTION: MH to set up direct debit and arrange online subscription to be a part of our website services.
3. Matters arising not covered by Agenda.
SB made a proposal that TYA UK should devolve into four national centres – England, Wales, Scotland and NI. SB stated that there is such much to be done in England and as every country will inevitably have its own priorities and agenda, it might be effective to have a network structure that can support this. In regard to obtaining Arts Council funding, SB stated that it would be much easier if every country has a relationship with their own national council.
PH raised that the way that the way ASSITEJ International works is that each member country has to be recognised as a nation state, which the four countries of the UK are not. SB responded by saying that the four countries would have a close association, each with their own board and chair and that the “chair’s forum” would be the over-arching UK Centre.
TG raised a point about how this UK-wide forum would be represented at the next congress; would there need to be a delegate from each UK country? GH expressed fears of a sense of “amputation”: a looming separation between the four countries. There was a strong feeling that this would not be the case and that in working within separate national centres, each country would have a more focussed set of aims/objectives and a more meaningful engagement with their membership.
SB’s proposal is two fold (i) a focus on activity/development in England (ii) meetings with our counterparts in Scotland/Wales and NI. The proposed structure is that the UK “chair’s forum” meet four times a year and that each centres’ board meets more times a year, with a possibility of more meetings being arranged according to need.
AOF enquired as to whether they were any existing models with a similar system of operation, suggesting that if such models did exist, it would be useful to learn from them.
VI re-iterated that the potential re-forming of this network and its structure will not affect the agenda, constitution or articles of association of TYA UK.
It was agreed that SB’s proposal should be raised formally at the AGM at Take-Off and that this debate continues, alongside the membership, until then.
Lunch taken at 1pm. Meeting re-commenced at 2pm.
4. Treasurer’s Report
GH stated that the TYA UK accounts will be presented at the next meeting and confirmed that there was going to be 3 signatories on the account – those of GH, TG and MH, with at least two signatories on every cheque.
GH flagged up the organisations that hadn’t yet paid their subscription charges and stated that the budget as set by Wendy for 2008 was being adhered to.
5. Adelaide feedback
Members present provided feedback on the Adelaide experience and from the general discussion, the following “positive” points were gleaned:
ACE fully behind TYA UK
International profile raised and improved
Engaging other members of TYA UK
SB asked if there were any “surprises” within the responses of the compiled questionnaire document and the general consensus was that there were not; all the comments made could be understood by the board and had a valid place in the reflection of the experience. The top priorities that emerged were (i) an international festival (ii) regional/national meetings (iii) professional development opportunities for artists
6. Re-establishing priorities
-International Festival
In regard to the possibility of producing an international festival, TG stated that the amount of support gained for the 2011 bid is unprecedented; he proposed that we “run with it” – using this support and enthusiasm for the bid to stage a festival in 2012. Although Unicorn would be a chief producing partner and a host venue, the festival would be a TYA UK festival. PH stated that it would only really be valuable if it was a world festival.
VI expressed a concern that TYA UK were chasing “glittering prizes” and not committing to the task of slowly and carefully considering the strategy of the network and implementing a proper infrastructure.
In a show of hands, there was a unanimous agreement for the planning of a festival in 2012.
-Professional Development
TG suggested that a focus on the “next generation” be at the heart of a programme of professional development, not only is this perennial to the future success of this field but it also coincides with the current Arts Council drive to nurture young talent within the arts.
MH expressed enthusiasm for the drive but also raised a concern about excluding existing members and proposed the consideration of a more inclusive model of professional development; a model that drew upon the resources of our membership and established a mutual training programme – one in which all members could learn from each other, regardless of age and “experience”.
BE suggested that a strategic plan be compiled and that this can form the basis of any future discussion of this matter, including “away day” conversion. This will be undertaken with the contributions and support of SB and MH.It was suggested that at the core of the strategic plan is a consideration of Events/festivals, Professional Development and Advocacy/Lobbying.
ACTION: SB, BE and MH to arrange a meeting re. creating a basic strategic document
A brainstorming activity was undertaken, as SB transcribed on flipchart paper the priorities for TYA UK, detailing both what was currently happening in those areas and any plans for the future
Professional Development:
-Kazzum’s professional development session – 28/11
-Establish a mentoring programme
-Workshops in Festival
-Discussion on peer review
International Activity
-Script database
-Volunteer bank
-Mentoring NG’s
-Engaging with 2011 festival
-Identify UK contribution to 2011 festival
-Hosting international visitors
Events and Festivals
-16th June – ITC tea party event
-Preliminary discussion about 2012 festival
-Annual TYA conference/festival at Take Off
-21st July launch of ACA Manifesto for Childrens’ Arts
-Late July – Get In in Liverpool
-Promotional info on events and festivals eg. Ciao
-Regional Meetings (eg. York, Birmingham, London, Darlington)
-Theatre Café 11-15th Nov (including international symposium on 14th/15th)
Lobbying/Advocacy
-Sept 08 – NCA lobby meeting
-Identification of strategic partners
-Brochure and print
-Website
Other
-Anti-clash diary
-UK Directory
7. Regional/National Meetings
SB proposed that, alongside MH, he begin formulating some concrete plans for regional meetings; several offers have been made for the hosting of these meetings, including the York Theatre Royal.
BE suggested that we might want to carefully consider what our strategy is before we embark on making any practical plans. MH stated that there is a danger in spending too much time making strategies and whilst we are building a plan for the future, we could begin to plant some seeds for activities in the present; knowing that regional meetings have already been tagged as a major priority and will be at the core of our strategy. The planning of regional meetings will be discussed further, both in the meeting re. the strategic document and in a separate meeting between MH and SB.
ACTION: SB and MH to meet to discuss regional and national meetings
8. International Representative Report
PH shared his news with the board; the news that the Arts Council had allowed him to keep the funding that he had secured from ACE North East for the Secretary General. This grant of 60k will now serve as a bursary for the activity of the international representative. PH described his activities as being two fold, (i) activities for which he will be accountable to the board (ii) activities for which he will be accountable to himself. PH presented the document pertaining to the proposals of his role and which he will disseminate to all board members
PH raised the matter of hosting the executive committee in London – it was decided that there were not sufficient financial resources to be able to make this offer, he also proposed the compilation of a publication which includes all companies in the UK and underlined the importance of his role complementing the role of the development worker.
PH also raised the importance of getting UK shows seen by the international community, stating that the UK does not get many shows into international festival programmes
ACTION: PH to draft paragraph to disseminate to the executive committee explaining our reasons for not being able to host the meeting
9. Take-Off Festival
Progressing to a discussion regarding Take-Off, PH suggested that it develop and become a sustainable event – in addition to offering Take-Off as venue for the AGM for the next three years. The nature of this year’s conference topic was discussed. At present, this event has been tagged as an “open space” event – with suggested topics serving as provocations for debate. JM suggested that is was not truly an open space event if topics were suggested. PH has proposed that the “next generation” be a focus for discussion. A sub-group was decided on, this group will work together to explore the themes of the conference and consolidate its focus. Provisionally, this group is JM,LC, MH and Nina Hagiyianni.
ACTION: JM, LC, MH and NH to meet regarding Take Off subgroup
10. Collaboration with Danes/Swedes/Austrians in 2011
It was noted that when the UK delegation was in Adelaide, there was an overwhelming concern that the energy of the bidding countries should not be lost. VI reported on a meeting in Edinburgh, wherein Peter Manscher enquired as to what we were passionate about as a route to considering ways in which could contribute to the 2011 congress. VI said that she would bring this back to the board for further consideration. Current ideas are:
1)Multi-cultural work
2)Disability work
3)TIE/DIE (with a possibility of exploring some of the new ideas/practices of Cecily O’ Neill)
VI requested that some thinking time be put aside to explore this further.
JM stated that if we could offer an event/theme to the congress – it could perhaps be something other than DIE/TIE; the UK has garnered a very strong reputation for work in this field, but it is truly representative of work in this sector now? Is it there something more reflective of current ideas/practice?
VI also shared a conversation had with Steve Mannix (Cultural Leader for 2012) re. a possible collaboration with the Danes/Swedes/Austrians – whilst this relationship with the Cultural Olympiad will be explored further, VI stated that she did not want this to interfere with the existing relationship between TG and Keith Kahn (Cultural Olympiad).VI and TG will keep each other updated on the development in the respective areas of festival planning for 2012 and collaboration with the Scandinavians / Austrians, in order to prevent any conflict of interest.
VI and PH to form a sub-group committed to exploring the UK input into the 2011 Congress.
11. Date of next meeting
8th September 2008 – Unicorn Theatre, 12-5pm
12. A.O.B
TG stated that he has some issues he would like to raise about the nature of the bidding process – in particular regard to wasting money and energy. Agenda item for next meeting.
VI asked members to support the ACA Manifesto that is being launched on July 21st; both the adult created manifesto and the encouragement of young people participating in work to generate their own document