The Arts Council’s Public and the Arts Survey (2006) tells us audiences for opera are in decline: what gives? According to Peter Conrad in The Observer, arts marketers are seeking out new ways of seducing listeners back into seats… (more)
Call for papers: Irish Museums Association 2008 Conference
The IMA has issued a CFP for its 2008 conference, to be held in Wexford from 29 March – 2 Feb 2008. The theme of next year’s conference is ‘New Approaches to the Museum’s Engagement with the Local Community’. A draft programme and CFP details can be found here.
Arts Council publishes new ‘Value of the Arts’ pamphlets
The Arts Council has recently released two new additions to its ‘Value of the Arts’ pamphlet series: The Case for Elitism by Emer O’Kelly, and The Siren Alps by John McAuliffe. These commissioned essays prompt writers to respond to the results of the Council’s major survey The Public and the Arts (2006), which provided a fascinating look into the attitudes and behaviour of Irish people and the arts. However to date the tenor of most of these responses is journalistic or overtly polemic in tone, and these new arrivals are no exception… perhaps reflecting the need for more vigorous independent research in the sector to support, challenge, or qualify the findings of the study? Food for thought…
Classical, schmassical
Reactions to the Washington Post’s subway experiment with violinist Joshua Bell keep rolling in… Three new books recently reviewed in the New Republic– Who Needs Classical Music? Cultural Choice and Musical Value (J. Johnson), Classical Music, Why Bother? Hearing the World of Contemporary Culture Through a Composer’s Ears (J. Fineberg), Why Classical Music Still Matters (L. Kramer)– attempt to engage with the ‘crisis’ of classical music. Do they have a point?
Upcoming seminar: Museums, Galleries and Lifelong Learning (8-9 Nov)
The National Gallery is hosting a seminar on museum education from 8-9 November, specifically focused on the needs of older audiences. Keynote speakers include Professor Angela Bourke of University College Dublin; Dr Lynda Kelly, Australian Museum; David Anderson, V&A Museum; Catherine Cartmell, Scottish Museums Council, and Professor Faith Gibson, Reminiscences Network Northern Ireland. For more information, download the NGI program pdf or check out the NGI’s website.
arts management ireland 