Looking back at the week in Manchester
We would like thank all who made Showcase 2011 and the Creative Case Symposium such an inspiring and constructive event – the best yet! The thrilling performances and challenging discussions will soon be uploaded for Showcase Online. We will also share news of the collaborations, tours and new ventures that have been developed.
In the meantime here’s a media round-up of the week in Manchester:
Creative Case Symposium video - follow this link to watch interviews and keynote speeches
The Creative Case for Diversity - read articles, case studies and keynote speeches on this purpose built mini-site
Disability Arts Online – the team from DAO were in Manchester all week to cover the Creative Case and decibel Performing Arts Showcase. Follow this link to read extensive reviews, interviews and discussion summaries
The Stage – decibel Performing Arts Showcase review – reviews of performances by Pen-ultimate, Brian Lobel, Crying in the Wilderness Productions, Sunday Driver, Shock and Awe Tours and Performance Anxiety
Telegraph.co.uk - Culture - Hassan Mahamdallie states the Creative Case for Diversity
Arts Professional - Observations - Tony Panayiotou, Head of Diversity, sets out Arts Council England's vision for a diverse future of the arts
The Stage - Up the Volume - Jo Caird interviews Nike Jonah, decibel Performing Arts Showcase Project Manager, Sara Cocker of The Eggs Collective, Gareth Lloyd Roberts of Wales Millenium Centre, Hetain Patel and Bill Bragin of Lincoln Centre, NYC
Arts Hub - Nike Jonah, decibel Performing Arts Showcase Project Manager, and Magdalena Moreno CEO of Kultour, Australia, discuss embracing diversity in arts policy
The Stage - ACE launches revamped diversity strategy - read the news story
International Arts Manager - Diversity at heart of ACE planning - read the news story (subscribers only)
Speak to Strangers - read all of Gemma Seltzer’s wonderful 100-word Speak to Strangers stories written in Manchester during the week at Showcase
What people are saying about decibel…
Registration for the 5th decibel Performing Arts Showcase closes this Sunday, 4 September.
decibel is a chance to witness a snapshot of the vibrant and innovative hotbed of diverse talent that make the UK’s performing arts scene famous worldwide. But don’t just take our word for it, here’s why other people see Showcase as an unmissable event in their calendar:
“decibel delivered something unexpected: a genuinely intriguing and eclectic performing arts showcase with work attracting healthy international interest.”
Jon Pratty, Guardian.co.uk
“Showcase should be on the schedules of every festival producer wanting to engage with a broader range of artistic voices from the UK. It is a market place not only for talent but also for ideas, networks and potential future collaborations.”
Ismail Mahomed, Festival Director, National Arts Festival, South Africa
“I can't recommend this showcase more highly. It's been one of the pivotal points in my professional development. Brilliant for networking, witnessing some fabulous talent and checking out new work.”
Julie McNamara, artist
“decibel gave me a great opportunity to discover a broad variety of diverse British art, especially work coming from artists with disabilities. Being there expanded my thinking about how to include the work of artists with disabilities in our programming more generally.”
Bill Bragin, Director of Public Programming, Lincoln Centre, USA
“decibel is a rare chance to experience the creative diversity that the UK offers in one city. As the Artistic director of a producing and presenting venue it is a key festival to find exciting new shows and artistic collaborations.”
Baba Israel, Artistic Director, Contact Theatre
“I attended the last showcase to write reviews and realised it was the only place I would want to pitch new work at. It's a gem of an opportunity for artists and programmers.”
Sarah Pickthall, artist
10 Questions - Claire Cunningham
Published 6 September 2009
It's our final probe (for now) with one of the artists appearing at decibel. We chat to Claire Cunningham from Fittings Multimedia Arts, who'll be showcasing 'Sputnik:A Project of Possibilities' at the Showcase next week...
''''1. Where do you find inspiration for your work?'''
In people – particularly other artists and collaborators.
'''2. What has been your most memorable performance?'''
With Sputnik: Last time Sputnik was in Manchester and performing in torrential rain and wind.
Of my career: the penultimate night of my Edinburgh Fringe run – it was just the perfect audience and the perfect show and it just went absolutely right.
'''3.Where in the world would you most like to perform... and why?'''
Japan – I’ve just always had a hankering to go there and a fascination with the country.
'''4. Who/what has been the greatest influence on your creative output?'''
My crutches - I find endless fascination in them as objects and the possibilities they offer.
'''5. What has been the highlight of your career so far?'''
The run of my solo show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
'''6. Who would you most like to work with...and why?'''
Campo (formerly Victoria) in Belgium.
I love the quality of their work, the quality and versatility of their performers and the humour and questions in their work. And that every work is so entirely different from the previous one.
'''7. What is the best job you have ever had?'''
The job I have now – freelance artist.
'''8.Where do you see yourself/your company in 5 years?'''
I don’t honestly know – I am so far (in a good way) from where I was five years ago – I never imagined I’d be doing what I do now, so I now believe anything is possible in the future….and that it is impossible to predict. Hopefully still working freelance – and balancing working as a collaborator in other people’s projects with my own work.
'''9. What makes you happiest about performing?'''
It’s hard to define, but simply that feeling of being very, very live (and alive) in front of a group of people, communicating to and with them, and feeling them (hopefully!) come with you on the journey.
'''10. What concerns you most about the state of the Performing Arts Sector in the UK?'''
Concern over how the recession will affect the performing arts.
