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All press enquires should be directed to alice.lewis@audiencesni.com

Getting a European perspective

EUCLID is hosting two events in the coming months, aimed at arts organisations.

Connecting Europe
6 October 2009, Waterfront Hall

This one day event is for artists and cultural organisations who are looking to develop cultural partnerships in Europe.

Representatives from the performing arts, visual arts, museums and heritage sectors, will provide an overview of the arts and culture sector in their country, information about developing partnerships and how to develop successful applications.

For more information, including prices, please click here

Create n Innovate 2009
11-12 November 2009, W5 Centre

Leading lights from across Europe will meet to discuss and debate key issues about the importance of creativity and innovation for our economy, our society and our future.

The conference will provide an innovative programme of presentations, including a keynote by Feargal Sharkey, panels, a programme of interactive workshops and tours.

For full details of the conference and to book, please click here

Rising through the ranks

The Belfast Philharmonic Choir has developed a new strand of work with young singers and formed a Philharmonic Youth Choir.

The aims of the choir are to encourage singing to the best of the singer’s ability, to learn to read music, and to develop and train the voice.

It is made up of experienced singers who have progressed from the highly successful Phil Kids choir, which was formed in 2006. The total membership of the two youth choirs now stands at 260.

For further information, e-mail ethel@utvinternet.co.uk or click here to visit their website.

Standing on the threshold

Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney has unveiled a ‘Threshold Stone’ to celebrate the start of construction on the Lyric Theatre’s home at its Ridgeway street site in Belfast.

The event mirrored another symbolic occasion in the Lyric’s history. In June 1965, supporters of the Lyric Players gathered on the very same site to lay the Foundation Stone of the original theatre. They included a young up and coming poet, Seamus Heaney, who recited a new poem, ‘Peter Street at Bankside’, specially written for that occasion. Forty-four years on, a stanza from this poem has been engraved in the Threshold Stone which will mark the main entrance to the new theatre, scheduled to open in 2011.

Click here to visit the Lyric Theatre’s website.

Young at Art volunteering opportunities

Young at Art is recruiting volunteers for the Reopening Celebrations of Belfast City Hall on 18th October 2009.

They have a range of challenging and fun opportunities to involve volunteers aged 14 and up, including positions working front of house, at workshops, backstage, MCs, promotional assistants and dancers.

Additionally, Young at Art is keen to hear from organised groups who would be interested in volunteering for the festival as a group activity.

To discuss how you or your group can be involved, e-mail Young at Art, call them on 028 9023 0660 or visit their website for further information.

Your Forum needs you!

The Millennium Forum has been nominated in the ‘Best Evening Economy’ category for the City Centre Initiative’s Derry City Business Awards.

The award is secured through a public vote by text. If you wish to support them, send a text to 81800 before Monday 28th September with the following:

COMPDJ MILLENNIUM FORUM EVENING ECONOMY

For more information on the Millennium Forum, visit their website here.

Arts & Business training

The Playhouse, Derry, 29 October, 11.30am – 1pm

The Arts & Business team have been hitting the road to meet arts and community organisations from across Northern Ireland. They have met both their members and also groups with whom they have not engaged before to discuss current events and programmes. At this final session, the team will unveil the changes and additional benefits available to their arts members and look at the area of business sponsorship of the arts, as well as private investment sources of funding.

Arts Membership Masterclass - Cultivation Strategies
QFT 2, 1 October, 2pm - 4.30pm

In this free masterclass you will hear an expert panel discuss cultivation strategies, cultivation events and being cultivated! The panel, made up of arts and business professionals will share their experiences, offer practical advice and will be available for questions.
Among the panellists for the event will be Maire Campbell (Head of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland) Paula Kane (XL-ents) and Eamon Quinn (Head of Fundraising, War on Want NI).

To confirm your attendance at one of the sessions, contact brona.whittaker@artsandbusiness.org.uk or telephone 028 9073 5155.

A new venue for the North West

Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, a £4million landmark Irish language, cultural and enterprise centre has opened its doors in the historic Great James Street area of Derry. The new centre has already become a beacon for language and culture enthusiasts, greatly enhancing access to services and facilities for the city’s Irish speaking community.

The centre, which is part of the An Gaeláras group, houses facilities such as a 200 seat theatre, classrooms and Irish language bookshop.

Chief Executive, Gearóid Ó hEára, said, “The opening of Cutlúrlann Uí Chanáin marks a major step forward for the development of the Irish Language community in Derry. The design style of the building, its city centre location and the functions which it will deliver make a powerful statement about the state of the Irish language in Derry at the start of this millennium.”

For more information on the centre, click here.

Celebrating the Rights of the Child

To mark the anniversary of the signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, NICCY has set up an events calendar on their website to highlight events and activities which have been planned as part of the anniversary celebrations.

Organisations are encouraged to contact NICCY with information about any planned events or any ongoing culture, artistic, recreational and leisure activities.

More details are available by clicking here or by e-mailing info@niccy.org

Marketing Top Tip #22

Podcasts are not purely the domain of large organisations like the BBC or commercial radio, and it is easier than you think to get your organisation onto somebody’s iPod or MP3 player.

Having received training on podcast production from CultureNorthernIreland as part of Audiences NI’s Training Programme last year, the Alley Theatre are currently using www.PodBean.com to promote their work more effectively online for free.

These podcasts can be set to automatically download into an iTunes account or to appear on a Google or Yahoo homepage, and are easily shared with friends to aid your viral marketing campaigns.

To listen to some of the Alley Theatre’s podcasts, visit http://alleytheatre.podbean.com/.

Look out for further training on podcast production from CultureNorthernIreland in the New Year.

Job vacancy at Belfast Exposed Photography

Belfast Exposed Photography have a vacancy for an Archive Engagement Manager (part time, 22 hours per week) to lead a 12 month project. The individual appointed will be expected to research, animate and raise public and media awareness of Belfast Exposed's community photography collection.

Salary: £22 - 24,000 p.a. (pro rata)

Contract Type: Fixed term - 12 months

Closing Date: Monday 12 October at 5 pm

More information plus job description, personnel specification and application is available here.

15 Second Film Festival Job Vacancies

15 Second Film Festival are currently recruiting to fill the following three positions:

Festival Director (closing date: 12 October, 4pm)
Audience Development & New-Media Sales Co-ordinator (closing date: 12 October, 4pm)
International Tour Programmer & New-Media Producer (application by tender, closing date for submissions: 16 October, 4pm)

For more details, visit the website by clicking here.