Re: The value of public funded art
 

Ed Vaizey, the culture minister, acknowledged that the system needed to change.

He said: “There really must be full transparency for all publicly funded arts bodies.''

Royal Opera House faces calls to lower wages - Telegraph

Anyone know much the funding costs of the Victorian Swimming Gala are...yet?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Oh God Bob don't start him off again he's been at it for 6 months already:rolleyes:

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Seems flashmobbing has a new take on it now thanks to T-Mobile..

YouTube - The T-Mobile Welcome Back

all we need are some appropriate songs for Accy Centre.

Love is A Drug ?

Little Old Wine Drinker Me ?

:)

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Unlike someone's little chum.

Who's been 'at it', for how many years is it, you're always informing us?

:rolleyes:

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Eye eye Sherlock on the job:D

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Peter Britcliffe has something which is called the Cabinet Action Fund, a pot of money ringfenced for whatever the Leader of the Council sees fit to spend it on. In previous years it has been around the £60k mark but this year has been upped to £100k and the spending allowance for the controlling group as a whole has been increased by around £690k. The official figures suggest that there has been a £1.9m saving in the past year but most of that is made up from a VAT rebate and not a saving at all.

Just glance at The Accrington Observer each week and see how many cheques are being handed out by the Conservative councillors on a regular basis, and that is only the ones in the public eye. I have requested a full breakdown of this mystical fund since 1999 and not had the figures yet but it is not audited and no receipts have to be provided.

It is a shocking way to be accounting for the borough's money and not one Conservative councillor opposes it. It places a huge sum of money in the hands of one man, it cannot be right whatever party is in control.

Jaysay, before you even think about the old Blair & Brown routine, I couldn't give a toss about Westminster's previous mistakes. This is something I can actually do in Hyndburn, I would desperately like to cut all the wasteful spending on our own doorstep and it would be so easy to do.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

You're damn right I am....

Re: The value of public funded art
 

The political landscape is shifting in Hyndburn and there is the very real possibility of the Conservatives losing control completely next May in the local elections. They are well aware of this and so are spending everything they can while they can which is why little pet projects in places such as Baxenden (see bye-election next month...) are very publicly getting handouts to sweeten the voters.

Whoever wins next May loses.

If the Tories retain control they can trot out the old faithful '13 years of Labour rule' tripe having bankrupted the borough despite having had 11 years in control in Hyndburn and telling us at every opportunity (minus 2003 but that always gets forgotten).

If Labour win then there will be nothing in the pot and the council will be financially screwed leading to hideous cuts, not all of which would be necessary if a bit of prudency was exercised right now. However, this will enable Peter Britcliffe to stand up in public and decry Labour's savagery and again trot out the line about '13 years of Labour rule' leading to the state of the borough.

Hyndburn needs to make cuts now, the Tories have control now and yet are throwing money away. Do something about it on polling day.

Please.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

I've always wondered why Labour have all the answers in opposition, yet cock everything up big style, at every level, when in power, talking is cheap and nothing is cheaper than a Labour politician's that keep cheeping;)

Re: The value of public funded art
 

It's also cheap, because party loyalty prevents it, for being able to say when something is wrong. Irrespective of who's done it.

Talking of cheap, and therefore costs, anyone know yet how much funding the community art project the Victorian Swimming Gala, is costing us?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

What does that phrase mean , and is there evidence to confirm it ?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

It actualy means JCB, that if you call a cow a pig long enough people start to believe you:rolleyes:

Re: The value of public funded art
 

'Cheeping'...now there's one of Peter's words if ever I heard it, which I have several times from his mouth.

All I'm talking is common sense - don't carp on about Labour's bad spending and then keep quiet about Hyndburn Conservatives doing the same thing.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Think someone might be digging up PB's garden ! :D Wonder how many skellietons they'll find :eek:

Re: The value of public funded art
 

As I've said before, why not ask your cousin, Cllr Dobson? The Conservative majority can barely be called that now and even Peter Britcliffe is alleged to have said that time is running out. It doesn't matter who is in control next year, the financial situation will still be the same for Hyndburn's public services.

That should worry you and if it doesn't then think about it again.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Well there's only you keeps saying they are,

Re: The value of public funded art
 

The inability not to see what's under their nose, for some is quite an art form.

Talking of art.

A few rolls of blue chiffon, some bunting, and a few thespians in jersey knit suits and mop caps.

How much?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

I'll remember that when I next get a piece of beef and fancy pork instead . :)

Shades of George Orwell's " 1984 " .

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Its always the same after a change of government Ken, in 1997 when Labour won the GE, Labour had a 41 seat majority on HBC, 44 labour 3 Conservative councillors was the make up on a 47 seat council, by 1999 they'd lost control ;)

Re: The value of public funded art
 

You 2 back of the class NOW ! Mossy on the right Jay on the left, stay there until the pair of youse can behave ! Mr. G would you like to step forward & carry on your lecture about Art & it's intrinsic cost !:D

Re: The value of public funded art
 

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/d...OK3ZzSr2lQAf/Z Your a Pork Chop, Your a Pork Chop:D

Re: The value of public funded art
 

They were your words , not my cousin's , so I was asking you what you meant .

As I have told you before I do not discuss politics with my cousin ( and don't forget Godson ) .

I was speaking to him this morning , and not a word of the party politics of Hyndburn passed our lips . There are other things in life .

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Oy, JCB, if you don't stop encouraging him you can join him ! :rolleyes:

Re: The value of public funded art
 

I've clicked onto the website , Jaysay , and it says the page cannot be found . :confused:

Re: The value of public funded art
 

For Goya's sake!

This thread is about the value of publicly funded art.

Can we keep on thread, please.

There are plenty of other threads to continue the petty party political game of Squabbles.

Back on track.

Vesta Tilly, doing the breaststroke past the pound shop, how much?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Never mind the breaststroke where's the bloody pool:D

Re: The value of public funded art
 

just to get you back on track ...

Whats on - Events

£3.50 is all it will cost to have tea and tiffany at the Haworth art gallery ...

Tea and Tiffany Tour - 5 Dec 2010
5 Dec 2010

Discover the Tiffany glass collection at the Haworth Art Gallery

Time: 15:00 - 16:30

Location: Haworth Art Gallery

Cost: £3.50

Muddled by Millefiori?
Puzzled by Paperweights?

Join one of our Tea and Tiffany collection tours with Haworth Curator, Jennifer Rennie.

The tours are informal and you are welcome to ask questions. In no more that 45 minutes you will have a thorough understanding of Tiffany, his fabulous Favrile glass, and the wonders of the Haworth's unique collection.

Cost: £3.50 per person (including tea and biscuits).

Booking is essential as places are limited to 15 people. Please book with our gallery assistant in the Haworth shop, or telephone 01254 233 782.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

That'll be the art bit.

The art of illusion.

What we're all dying to know, is how much that art cost, so we can better assess it's true worth, and value to us.

I'll keep treading water until we know.

As I, and it seems many others, totally agree with the culture minister, who this weekend said...

“There really must be full transparency for all publicly funded arts bodies.''

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Knowing Tony, I can well believe it.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

You quit the Conservatives before the Election, will you now quit talking out of your rear vent?
:mad:

You know Neither party is perfect and that the 'Lib Dems' went for the best chance of power they could get, the only reason the Cons are where they are.

Not an out right win just a disgraceful Compromise, (I feel it would have been the same had they sucked up to Labour), Lets have another Election and see what happens?

What's happened so far will see you really down the Polls.

I would rather have a Majority Government of any party Than this pile of...

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Now come on John, you have lived a long time(like me) and surely you must have realised by now that whichever party is in opposition, they always have all the answers, but because they are in opposition, lack the ability to do anything about the ills of the time.
Now when the party who knew the answers in opposition, get into power, they forget how they knew what to do when in opposition.

I hope you followed all that :)

Re: The value of public funded art
 

John, the whole point of this thread is to question Tory spending in Hyndburn on the arts! By and large, it seems that the majority are questioning the amounts that have been thrown at it over the last few months.

Gary, answers coming through soon, keep treading water.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Answers requested for the Victorian swimming gala, the flash mob and also the Portable Pixel Playground which kicked the LET Project off in Hyndburn on 8th May.

Replies may take a while....

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Great. Although we were informed the flash mob 'only' cost a thousand pounds to produce.

It will be of interest to know the other funding costs, when trying to decide the value to us, of these events

I'll get out of the pool now, and dry my ringlets, until we know the full costs.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

I don't know whether it would be classed as 'art' but I'm also looking at the cost of Christmas switch-ons across the borough. We've got the Mayor to do ours but some other wards are rumoured to have celebrities and I'd like to know how much they're being paid if that's true.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

It was posted a Glee tribute act were turning on the lights in Accrington. I don't yet know of any other celebrities, turning them on in other towns in the borough.

It makes you long for those nice Victorian Christmases, when these sort of things would have been done by a local big nob, watched by the poor, huddled masses.

http://www.regencyreads.com/bookstor..._bountiful.jpg

Re: The value of public funded art
 

That's what I'd heard, I'm sure it's very pertinent to Accrington.

I mean you wouldn't want someone irrelevant like a player from Accrington Stanley turning up, would you?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

By the way, thankyou, on behalf of all those who'd like to know the costs, before trying to decide the true value to us of these events.

I knew if I kept asking, someone connected to the council might try and find out for us.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

You're very welcome, I see the role of councillor as being a spokesman for the residents in council but also vice versa. We need better communication across the board and in light of the cuts being made in Great Britain I think that the public has a right to know what their taxes are being spent on.

Your taxes pay my allowance so as one of my many bosses you can ask me any question you like regarding Hyndburn.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Clearly you haven't the ability to think outside of the the box.

Even though the box that contains such luminaries as Dildo Silly, spotty Martin Platt, and some Glee licky-likeys, is quite expensive to open.

Obviously you aren' very 'left-field'.

;)

Re: The value of public funded art
 

As Jaysay keeps pointing out, I have a lot to learn.

In many ways he is genuinely right, although if learning how to fritter away public money is based on the current Hyndburn model then I'm proud to stay ignorant.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Transparency in good, as the culture minister said last weekend, when referring to publicly funded arts.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Come on Ken they class anything as art, look at the Turner Prize every year, well no don't because you will be more liable to question what art is
after than you were before:(

Re: The value of public funded art
 

A few points

I have not been on for a while because I have been busy - I'm not avoiding the issue of cost of the Victorian Swimming Gala. I will happily let you know it.

However, I don't think it's fair to let you know in advance because as has happened with the Flash Mob you will prejudge it. I think it's unfair to judge something purely on cost when you have no idea of quality, effort and effect. Quite simply to pre-judge something undermines the hard work and effort that local people are putting into this. Think how demoralising it will be if any of the young people from schools, youth clubs and Accrington and Rossendale college will feel if they read this and you're already dismissing it as unworthy or rubbish. A lot of time and effort is going into this.

I am not hiding the cost, I'm just asking if it can be discussed afterwards.

Also, whilst I'm on this - with regards to the article in the paper on Sat - a few inaccuracies

The crochet sculptures did not cost £2,500. The cost was for the artists time for workshops with local people who then created the sculptures. Your extremely dismissive views on this could potentially upset the local young people and older people who took part in the sessions and contributed to the sculptures. A lot of people learnt new skills with crocheting and enjoyed the sessions.

Ken - the knitting did not take up space in the market hall that could have been rented out - it filled space that was vacant because it was not rented out. If any paying stall holder had wanted the space we would have automatically vacated it.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

I'll respect your wishes and hold off with the cost until after the event.

As regards Saturday's edition of the Lancashire Telegraph, you should be aware by now that quotes in the newspaper are not always verbatim and may unintentionally have their context changed if not printed in their entirety. Although the general gist of what I said was printed it was within the wider context of a rant about the Market Hall being badly underused and filling spaces with these projects instead of traders.

I know this is your job and you clearly feel very passionately about it but I'm afraid as time goes by I am becoming less sympathetic to the cause, particularly as more and more money gets spent when the whole country is in financial death throes.

The council is facing some brutal cutbacks over the next three years on a scale that I can barely get my head around. All non-essential spending should be stopped now to cushion the blow and it pains me to say it but public art events such as these are not 'essential'.

It's an awful thing to say to someone like yourself but when the NHS, police and fire services are being pared to the bone it's time for a bit of perspective.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

And I agree with you on that.

However, this money was awarded to the council by the Labour government and was specifically for the purpose of arts, events and promotion. This is not money that the council is squandering on arts projects that could be spent on anything else. It can not be diverted in any other direction.

Now, I appreciate that people don't want their taxes spending on anything else other than valuable services - but in effect this money was 'spent' by the government almost a year ago. As far as HBC goes it is either use it or lose it - because it can't be used to prop up any other facilities.

You say that your rant was about filling the market hall with these things but the point was that they were filling empty spaces. A short while ago people on here were complaining about how empty the market hall looked. These activities filled empty stalls for the duration at no additional extra cost (i.e. no cost to the council as it came out of the funding as described above). If paying stall holders had wanted the stalls we would have vacated them immediately.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

A good example of changing times and whilst the Labour administration may have earmarked the money (rightly or wrongly) for the arts, the Conservative administration have the power to change that decision.

Please don't think that my views on this are limited just to the arts because there are many other projects which are a blatant waste of money that should never have been green-lit in the first place. I look around me and see waste everywhere, right down to special Hyndburn pencils, booklets that no one will ever read and badges that no one will ever wear.

What is the point of a Conservative council if they are singing from a different cost-cutting hymn sheet than a Conservative government?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Well, heaven forfend that any of our young people should have to face up to any of the harsh realities of life, like accountability and, dare I say it, criticism.

It strikes me that following on from the reactions to the Panopticon Fiasco and other Mid Pennine Arts jamborees, you might have guessed that there would be a degree of negative reaction and criticism. But you blithely went ahead and encouraged their participation. Did you not consider putting a bid in for Lottery cash to cover the outlay on ear plugs and blinkers for the poor little darlings?

Your comments and scruples strike me as nothing more than excuses, Gayle, which become ever flimsier and more threadbare with every repetition. Sadly, I do not think that I will be alone in holding that opinion.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Gayle, that's rather naive of you! Just because the Government awarded it doesn't mean Hyndburn HAD to spend it. If Hyndburn hadn't gone ahead and 'squandered' it(your words) on 'crochet sculptures' etc. then surely the Government would still have it? To spend on something more essential. I love the attitude of 'If we can get some money get it. Now, what can we blow it on?'.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

well fer me if various stuff around the country (not just Hyndburn) funds can not be directed anywhere else, whats the goverment gonna do with this cash? Flush it down the loo? I don't think so, never heard such crap in me life.:rolleyes:

Re: The value of public funded art
 

I have not made 'excuses' I have answered your questions, if you don't like the answers that is not my fault.


So basically you have two choices, I will leave it up to you.

Either I stop posting on here completely and refuse to answer questions/accusations.

Or

I answer every accusation/question with honesty, which is what I have tried to do so far.

I think i'm now in the situation where I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't.


It's your choice.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

If the students who are involved in this event, read the comments....I feel that their response would be 'whatever'.

And if they cannot stand up to adverse comments, then they are going to have a tough time in the real world aren't they?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

The attitude within the civil service machinery generally seems to be to pitch for as much money as possible and then think what to spend it on. Conversely, projects are awarded arbitrary sums of money without any costings or consumer research or even basic performance standards of success or failure.

Part of the problem lies in the system of taking money away from departments if they don't spend their entire budget allocation for that year so meaningless projects at the end of the year are approved just to make sure that next year's funding remains the same.

It would be more sensible just to agree that anything which was absolutely essential for any department to fulfil its function would not be refused.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Gayle, if you really believe that what you're doing is right then stand up for it! Good for you. You obviously have the backing of the council so you're not alone.
BUT! Not many threads have generated as many posts as this one and virtually all have been hostile. It may be that most of them are from 'Grumpy Old Men' (and 'Women') with little or no response from the younger generations but they are the ones who have been paying Taxes all their lives!
So go on the attack! Ask these Miserable old Devils( I include myself in that group) what THEY want and if they got it would they join in?
Also ASK the younger folks what THEY want, don't present these events as a 'fait accompli'.Surely one of the most important parts of your job should be involving the town in the decision making as well as the presentation?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Gayle, whether you continue as a member of Accyweb, or not, is of no import to me whatsoever. You must make your own decisions on how to occupy your time, like the rest of us mortals. Passing the buck, as in "So basically you have two choices, I will leave it up to you." and "It's your choice." simply will not do. Either you wish to explain and defend the decisions you make as a public servant, or you don't. Clearly, it is up to you, not me, or anyone else for that matter.

You claim to have answered our questions. And, in part, you have. But why does one come away with the impression that one has been pulling teeth or attempting to wring blood from a stone? Garinda asked a perfectly reasonable question about the source and amount of funding involved in the Victorian Swimming Gala. To date he has not received an answer. He has received instead an evasion - a means of answering a question by not revealing anything of the answer. If you do decide to continue as a member of the forum, can we look forward to a full and complete answer to Garinda's question, please?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

she has ... A-B ... and which i think is right ...

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Shillelagh: I disagree.

"I am not hiding the cost, I'm just asking if it can be discussed afterwards."

Going along with margaret's comment @ 14:32 the reasons given for wanting to withold discussion of cost untill after the event are unconvincing, to say the least. I doubt that any discussion conducted here, however heated or intense, can have much or any impression on any teenager who may or may not happen by.

Do you suppose that the anticipation of adverse public reaction stopped Shakespeare or Elgar or Turner in their tracks? How long are we supposed to wrap our kids up in cotton wool and shield them from the rude hard world?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

why not wait till its after the event .. go and see it for yourself .. and then decide if its worth the money spent ... before making your mind up ...

i was always told .. one mans art is another mans tat ... in otherwords what one person thinks is art .. another person thinks it rubbish ..

gayle put it forward to wait till after the event .. ken agreed to it .. and seeing as their the ones with the info ... its only a couple of week off .. so wait and see ... go and watch it .. then make your mind up.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Regarding the flash mob, I've certainly not prejudged it. I have posted that it isn't a 'modern' concept, and pointed out that historically the most succesful ones have cost not a penny.

Why should we be informed of the costs of the Victorian Swiming Gala 'afterwards'? Surely before, or after the event, makes no difference as to how we judge the worth and value of something. Indeed power is knowledge, and it might make that conundrum easier, when evaluating something's worth, if we already have the facts and figure to hand.

An idea, transparency in publicly funded arts, that the culture minister certainly seems to think a worthwhile idea.

Any art event that is made public, especially when it's publicly funded, should be open to crtique.

Any people taking part in this, who are thinking of a career in the commercial, rather than the state funded arts sector, could well benefit from this sort of exposure. As in the real world of commercial art, criticism is a way of life.

So in the interest of transparency, the Victorian Swimming Gala event, has secured how much in funding costs...?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

People don't order fish 'n' chip from a take-away, and then decide after they've wolfed them down, whether it's value for money, and pay the person behind the counter.

You check the price list, decide whether you think it's worth what they're asking, and make a purchase, or not.

I hope Gayle stays.

We will never agree on this, but as posted earlier, I admire her dogged defence.

I suspect, whether she stays or goes, these local state funded art events will have their worth, and value, discussed on here, regardless.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

If you went into a certain Oswaldtwistle bakery and saw a selection of pies on display and enquired of the pieman, "How much are those pies?", would you expect him to reply "I don't think it's fair you know in advance. I think it's unfair to decide whether to purchase my pie purely on how expensive it is. Take a pie home, eat it and when you come back I'll tell you the cost and you can tell me if you think it was worth it."
Think how demoralised the baker would be if you decided not buy his wares purely on a cost basis if you knew the price in advance.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

This thread is about the value of publicy funded arts.

Whether we know the costs now, or after the event, will make no difference when deciding something's worth.

Many people, whose taxes have helped fund these community art events, might not be able to attend. Some I've heard, gasp, even work on Saturdays.

Why should they be denied knowing the costs now?

Transparency.

What's to hide?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Lol.

I very nearly used a pie analogy, but settled on fish 'n' chips.

:D

Re: The value of public funded art
 

The record so far does not raise ones hopes that it will be value for money - so far every one of these events has been an in-mitigated flop and has received nothing but a strong aversion to this type of event.
I ask a simple question - Do markets such as those at Bury, Blackburn, Burnley, Liverpool or Doncaster require an "arts entertainment" session to attract customers to the stalls?
Gayle, ask the townsfolk whether they can think of better ways to have spent this money rather than pay second/third rate "artists" - I use that word with severe reservations. Ask the townsfolk what they would prefer - you have already got an impression of what they think, surely you are intelligent enough to realise that you have dug yourself a deep hole and are continuing to dig.:confused::confused::confused:

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Anyway, why should the hurt feelings, because of costs, of those taught by the £1,000.00 choreographer, be an issue?

It was posted that everyone is welcome to take part, i.e. the public who've funded the event.

'If' a flash mob was a good way to promote the town, here's an alternative costing.

Approach local dance schol. Find out who is good, and perhaps wants to dance as a career. Ask if they'd help video an easy to learn sequence, which would be filmed, after promissing them you'll write a reference, if/when they apply to study dance at college, and perhaps throw in a new pair of leg-warmers.

Make sure details of event, and video showing what people should do at allotted time of flash mob, are sent to every school, youth club, community centre, whoever else might be interested, in the area.

Sit back, and watch it happen.

Cost?

Virtually nowt, but with exactly the same resulting publicity etc.

Still I don't suppose that answers the question of how we strip the Singing, Ringing 'magical money' Tree of all this loot, which just HAS to be spent.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

This issue's is turning into burlesque. Nevermind a Victorian Gala.

Czarina Von Teese, artfully let's the audience have a saucy little peep at the object of fascination, the costings.

First the funding of the first three events, were slowly exposed to the publics' hungry gaze.

Then it got a bit more interesting.

Whoo-hoo!

Which in this case was revealing the cost of the flash mob event. Wantonly uncovering it, before it had even happened.

Since the information's now been requested under the Freedom of Information Act, apparently, and thus busying some already overworked litle beaver at H.B.C., why can the public not be informed of the funding, and costs involved, of the Victorian Swimming Gala?

Why is this information, unlike the other events, only to be revealed after the final curtain falls?

This information is vital in helping people evaluate the worth to them, of publicly funded art.

At least that's transparent.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Incidentally, whilst stood on a rain lashed Broadway this afternoon, it crossed my mind that the hated blue 'n' white building looks a little like lanes in a swimming pool.

If, by magical use of smoke and mirrors, the participants appear to swim along the side of the building, horizontally abseling, so to speak, I shall be there cheering them on. As the event coincides with my usual shopping trip to the town.

Even better, if the swimmers' speed in the race could be determined by the audiences' participation, via teams of Joe public lobbing balls up a board with scored holes in it. A little like they do at funfairs in Victorian seaside resorts. (Donkey Derby, are they called?)

I'll be there, shouting Bravo!

If it is a maze of a couple of rolls of blue chiffon at ground level, and some bunting, and Mrs Bridges, Rose, and Ruby, pretening to battle it out in the ladies 100 yards breast stroke, I'll probably be in the Market Hall, getting my veg.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

It is all so contrived and stinks of desperation...and when you look at the town centre you can see why.

I have lived in and around Accrington for all of my life......and I was once proud of the place, but it is down at heel and scruffy now.
These tactics are just those of an ageing lady, putting on lipstick in the hope of snaring a young buck, and hoping he doesn't notice the wrinkles.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

And she will succeed for the moment, a brief surge of joy & pleasure only to be cruelly dropped & abandoned in the cold gray of dawn leaving only the hurt & humiliation & the disdain of all around her as they nod & smirk, pity poor maid. :o

Re: The value of public funded art
 

It was reported in last weekend's Sunday Times (sorry no link provided, now you have to pay, but it's on page 2, and by Isabel Oakeshott) that local authorities now face having to make an extra £3 billion pounds cuts, that have only recently come to light, and on the top of the draconian savings they already need to make, which had already been announced earlier last month.

Apparently some services the council provide are discretionary, and they are under no legal obligation to either provide, or continue funding them.

These include maintaining the borough's parks and play areas, cutting grass, providing weekly rubbish/recycling collections...and providing swimming pools.

Perhaps we should all take this Victorian Swimming Gala to our hearts, regardless of anything so uncouth as money.

It might be the last time we can bomb the deep end in Hyndburn, and get told off for running on the sides, or thrown out for heavy petting in the shallows.

Some might dismiss the spending of public funds as only 'two bob', even though each event apparently requires thousand(s) of pounds to produce.

If each local authority in the country has a similar pot of gold, to finance such jamborees, it collectively adds up to much more than 'two bob', as Jaysay suggested.

Look after the pennies, and hopefully the pounds will mean people in genuine need in Hyndburn, don't suffer, quite so much as they are going to.

Anyone in the know, care to post the costings of the Victorian Swimming Gala...yet?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Has it happened to you?

Up and gone, with the first beeping of the radio alarm.

Write a play. Though be quick at securing funding.

Soon the bank will be empty, even for the raciest old 'ho's tales of woe.

:D

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Aye, but she was a right ol' growler, had I woken up first I probably would've chewed me arm off ! :eek: I felt so ... so ... chuffed me mates hadn't seen her :D

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Who was it that mentioned grumpy old men and women?

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Is this an offically sanctioned thread wander, he mused, to his own jolly self?

:rolleyes:

No one's grumpy.

:)

We were asked a question, and are now just pondering the 'value of publicly funded art'.

:rolleyes:

Though I'm sure the mood would be lighter still, if we had all the available information, so as to assess the true worth of art...funded by the public purse.

:)

Re: The value of public funded art
 

I will tell you the costs involved after the event if you like :rolleyes::p:D

Re: The value of public funded art
 

I saw you were creating a post hours ago, in this thread.

I thought in your position on the committee of the Friends of Rhyddings Park, you might have commernted on the post that grass cutting, and maintaining childrens' play areas, were not a required area for a borough councils to fund, and might now be an area that receives less money, especially as they have to find an EXTRA £3 billon pounds in collective savings.

Though happily, our council did fund a quarter of the £2,500.00 costs (as reported in the press) of the wooly goings on in the Market Hall.

Some you gain, some you lose.

Disappointed your post was only about grumbling, perhaps. Though such a let down would never dampen my own, sunny disposition.

:D

Is there a collective noun for pets of differing species?

As in the (blank) were sadly culled, after the terrible spending cuts?

:rolleyes:

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Looks like he(Tesco), got there while the eye liner was painted on, never mind the lippy;)

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Yeah but he's really sorry he fell for it all now......and so is she!

Re: The value of public funded art
 

No one is suggesting the adorably cute wooly thingamajigs did cost two and a half grand.

That was the fee the lucky knitter got.

We know the costs, and are thus able to assess their worth to us, the tax payer.

We look forward to being told the funding costs awarded to produce the Victorian Swiimming Gala, and being able to decide for ourselves the same conundrum, as to cost versus value, as this thread asked us to do.

:)

Re: The value of public funded art
 

I was editing bad quotes not commenting.
I was even bored with the thread doing that.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Deep breath.

Out with anger, in with love.

There's quiet an art to forming the world's longest misquotation chain.

But happily...very little costs are involved.

:D

Re: The value of public funded art
 

These town centre 'artistic' escapades are so 'contrived' that they are an embarrassment to good taste. I would feel that way even if they were free. The cost just increases the embarrassment.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Would be interesting to know what you define as good taste Margaret. Brass bands, Pavarotti type singers, Swan Lake chorus lines, Actors spouting Shakespeare ... what ?? Please let us know ... would be interesting to know what the public think up front (as mentioned earlier).

The events are all run by extremely skilled and talented people in their art .. not amateurs. Just a little further up the line in this decade.

For one, who spouts on about buying on line and not visiting our town to spend her money in the town centre .. find your remark a little hypocritical.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Doubt if I'm alone in wondering about this, but could someone in the know please explain exactly what a "Victorian Swim Gala" is . Only mental image I can conjure up is a bunch of 'owd' civic minded wrinklies in soggy ill fitting knitted/crotched Victorian bathing costumes , out in the rain catching their death in the winter weather , don't believe there is anywhere to swim in downtown Accy so what will they be actually doing ? :confused: :confused:

Re: The value of public funded art
 

I shop online due to my physical limitations.
I have visited the town centre occasionally lately in early evening, when I can park on Dutton St and have only a short walk to my favourite restaurant. I choose not to apply for a disabled parking badge because I am not capable of meandering from shop to shop to buy what I need.

That does not mean that I do not have civic pride in what goes on in the town centre.
We have a climate which limits what can be used to attract people into town.
I have seen the US airforce band playing a Glen Millar show in a small town square in Italy.
I have seen several bands playing a wide variety of music in St Marks Square Venice.
With our climate the best we can hope for are the Sally Army and some hardy buskers.(free)

Tourist type gimmicks aren't going to work in Accrington.
Reduction of rents and business rates for small traders will attract the small specialist traders that other towns don't have.(and Accrington used to have)

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Very true.

These are professionals, who are being paid their fees from the taxes people pay.

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Apparently fishing's the most popular pastime in the country.

Perhaps we should bring a little 'colour' to their lives, by bunging them all a few grand from the public purse.

If art isn't paying comercially, with no one prepared to fund it, other than government, why should art as a hobby be any different from angling?

Publicly funded art - the poll.
 

I did suggest it, as it seems to have raised quite a bit of debate on the forum, but I think it would be of interest to know the answers to a simply worded question.

Do you, or do you not think, community art projects should receive funding from the state?

Re: Publicly funded art - the poll.
 

you could have added .. dont know .. some things might be value for money and others might not ...

Re: Publicly funded art - the poll.
 

I wanted the poll to be aery straightforward question.

If people don't know, they have the option not to vote.

Moderators, if in the interest of tidiness, you want to add the poll to the other thread, please do.

:)

Re: Publicly funded art - the poll.
 

ah well then i cant vote .. some i like ... and a good idea .. others are rubbish and not worth it ...

Re: Publicly funded art - the poll.
 

As we don't have an option in the elections to vote for 'none of the above', we'll class your's as a spoiled paper.

:D

I did suggest the other thread starter created a poll, to visibly gauge public reaction to this topic, but it wasn't taken up.

I tried in the wording to be both clear, and fair.

If people who wanted to vote 'I don't know', can't, I'm sorry.

Re: Publicly funded art - the poll.
 

Question ... What do you consider Public funded art ? Some would consider the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was publicly funded from the collection plate , think maybe a bit of co-ertion went on in those days (not much different from todays Govt taxation systems ) though the arguement could be made that the blokes in frocks (Popes and Cardinals) who commisioned it had better taste of what was considered good than todays educated "Art Kommisars".
I'm also thinking that the commitees, most probably made up of local 'Worthies/Notables' that approved the designs for many of the WW1 war memorials ,most paid for by pubic subscrition Publicly funded Art had more idea what was 'good value for money' and a and what was rubbish unlike todays troglodytes.

note to moderators ...not sure if the above should be in this thread or the other , feel free to move , thx

Re: Publicly funded art - the poll.
 

It isn't quite as black and white as the poll would suggest, although I'm swayed towards a 'no' vote at the moment because we simply don't have the resources to justify any extra money for anything which isn't absolutely essential to the borough.

If 'community arts' could be said to include preserving old film and audio recordings of times gone by as a historical record then I would definitely say yes but one man's meat...

Re: Publicly funded art - the poll.
 

As requested threads merged:D

Re: Publicly funded art - the poll.
 

Thank you.

So skillfully was it achieved, it could be described as an art form.

You should be receiving funding.

:D

Re: The value of public funded art
 

Any news as to the costs of the under house parlour-maid 100 yard freestyle...yet?

Re: Publicly funded art - the poll.
 

Shhh, or Roy will have to declare the Grant he's had, (according to rumour Grant is a 30 year old ginger mop top, but I wouldn't believe that if I was you, I've just made it up).:)

Erm' is lying an art form? Could I get a grant or would I have to wait until Roys finished with him?:eek:

Re: Publicly funded art - the poll.
 

:rofl38::rofl38::rofl38:

I'll go and see the nurse now, to have my gash packed, in a state of mirth.

If comedy is an art form, you are an (occasional) genius.

:D