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Arts and The Creative Economy

Arts Council England has just published a major strategic piece of work by Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy.

Three papers are published together to illustrate synergies and strengthen links between the arts and the creative economy. This includes a focus on the role of the Arts Council in supporting innovation and growth across the creative economy through the delivery of its Strategy: Achieving Great Art for Everyone. It also includes a focus on the role of arts organisations, local authorities and a wider range of partners and investors in blending arts and business development.

The papers are introduced by Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England; and Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative industries.

Download the full report now:

http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/publication_archive/supporting-growth-arts-economy/

26th July 2011

EastEnders Actress Shana Swash Comes of Age in retro film Gang Girls

Film Hair and Make-up Artist as well as award winning filmmaker, Sharon Holloway, has just completed a new short film with a retro feel. Gang Girls, starring Shana Swash, was shot in and around Southampton and celebrates the south coast’s diverse retro and vintage talents. Produced by Sharon’s hairdressing salon, Vintage Hair Lounge, which is based in the City’s French Quarter, Gang Girls delights in showcasing mod and rockabilly style against a backdrop of local waterfront locations. Sharon explained the film process and why she did the film:

“I was inspired to do this film because I wanted to portray a fresh interpretation of local “vintage” life. Dozens of people turned out to take part, from Hampshire scooter clubs to Bournemouth burlesque performers, so a big thank you to them all. Aside from getting our main girl gang cast ready with sixties styled hair and make-up, along with clothes by Classy Chassis, once I turned the camera on, it only took 4 hours to shoot the whole piece! Then we went in to the studio with singer Miss Annie to record a new version of classic sixties anthem Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) for the soundtrack and then on to the post-production work with Chair of the Isle of Wight Film Network, Andrew Wilks, who helped create the stylish finished product. I am over the moon with the result. You can watch the film on YouTube at http://youtu.be/T7uzLvJuFnw  and we’d be delighted to hear what people think of it.”

Sharon Holloway is the latest new member of WMG and we released her press release to the Arts pages of The Guardian and The Times as well as to The Daily Echo and The County Press.

Photograph Courtesy of Scott Chalmers.

28th May 2011