This was part of a statement given by chair Samia Tossio to Sutton councillors recently who were discussing the future of Sutton's theatres as part of the review of costs going on across the borough.
She said the follwoing:
"Arts Network Sutton (ANS) is an independent, non-political charitable organisation that brings together the wealth of creative talent in the borough. Our remit is to promote, champion, nurture and act as an inclusive voice for the diverse range of arts in Sutton.
"Our executive team are all currently active in the local and wider arts scene & each one of us, through our own experience in delivering arts activities, knows firsthand, the value of the Arts to the well being & economy of the local community.
"ANS encourages and supports in the development of local artists and organisations through training and education opportunities, collaboration, marketing and funding advice and supporting the use of local facilities.
‘The councils review of cultural services has been carried out with the aim to develop a community-led approach to culture and the arts in Sutton by enabling local groups to develop and deliver cultural activities to support the development of community life
"ANS welcomes this approach.
"The Report summary also states: ‘Whilst proposing the closure of some venues, the proposal also includes an enhanced arts development function which will support and leverage the vibrant arts community in the borough’
"ANS would of course welcome further investment in an enhanced arts development function. We have been working closely with the current Arts Engagement Officer, Joanna Steele, and her approach is both proactive & refreshing & has broadened the impact of the Imagine Arts Festival, now in its 8th year & supported by One Planet Sutton, Enjoy Sutton, Sutton Council, SCOLA & Sutton Theatres & Halls. We welcome the willingness of the council to work with any groups that wish to put forward serious outline proposals for a community led approach to the theatres, even with the tight timeframe. I’m sure ANS would welcome Andy Brice taking an active role with ANS on this.
In April 2014, the Theatres Trust published a report on Community Theatres from their Conference 14 event. I would like to quote from Mhora Samuel, the Trust’s director:
“ a community theatre reflects the diversity of its surroundings, has both theatre & a social purpose at its core & is loved by its community. People are emerging from their local communities, taking responsibility for their local theatres…& making new connections with their communities, adapting & harnessing their buildings to create spaces for social, education & community activities...communities are taking over theatres to ensure they continue to support local economic growth & provide access to a centre for the arts in the locality”
The report from The Theatres Trust, quotes success stories & ANS are following up on some of those case studies and will be sharing our findings with the Council
We would like to thank members of the Sutton Theatres & User Group (STUG) for contacting the Theatres Trust & we have seen a welcome response from the Trust to Sutton’s CEO, Niall Bolger, offering advice & support on positive ways to move forward. We do hope they will be able to send a representative from the Trust to the council’s ‘workshop’ on 15th September.
We appreciate the reasons for this ‘workshop’ being an invite only event, so to allow other voices from the arts community to have their say, ANS have arranged for an informal Q&A meeting on 10th September that we will chair with our main guest speakers being Stephanie Crossley & Cllr Stephen Penneck. This meeting takes place at Granfers Community centre & anyone wanting to attend needs to email [email protected] by 6th September. All are welcome.
Arts Council England’s ‘Evidence review’ published in March on ‘the value of arts & culture to people & society’ shows evidence of the VALUE of the Arts to health & wellbeing, economy, education & society. ACE state that ‘the inherent value of arts and culture is something that cannot easily be measured in numbers…. Arts and culture illuminate our inner lives and enrich our emotional worlds, and this is what we cherish.... Arts & Culture do confer benefits on our education system, our economy & on our health’
Lastly, ANS welcomes the opportunity to act as a voice for the arts community in all matters relating to cultural provision in the borough...the art of business and the business of arts are not dissimilar. The skillset & knowledge required to make a genuine impact will involve working hand in hand with the council & now, due to the severity of these budget cuts imposed by Central Government, we here in Sutton can cement working in collaboration with the Arts Network, for the good of the whole - putting arts back into the heart of the community & raising our collective spirit.