Arts Award on Voice

Outreach programmes and 'making art accessible' are not about belittling it, relying on 'amateur' work, or squeezing it into strange places.

Defining popular culture is an interesting feat. Here's my interpretation and how it helps you achieve Gold.

Literature isn't always the first art form that comes to mind for many. But wow is that a mistake. I personally enjoy reading a good book - it's just finding the time. It can certainly be more fulfilling than watching the film equivalent.

Shakespeare has been a hot topic for the last month and I've thoroughly enjoyed the range of content produced by our own team, our new youth network team members, and well of course you all creating some interesting reviews and items.

My usual ramblings this month are joined by what I hope is of some interest to some of you, an outline of how we arrived at the new homepage we launched recently.

Well here we are, embracing 2014 with a vengeance. Is this the year you'll achieve your artistic ambitions? Perhaps it will be the year you get your Gold Arts Award!

I start writing this in a place ideal for contemplating rural arts, the New Forest. Having spent a week down on the south coast, the fresh air and rurality reminds me of where I grew up. I've lived in cities for the last 6 years and a large town for about 5 years before that, so rural arts had become a thing of the past.

Life's a laugh sometimes isn't it? And frankly so can be gaining your qualifications!

The team have covered numerous festivals which have all ranged in shape and style so much that what 'defines a festival' cannot be anything material. For me I think it must be about the passion and shared values of the audience & creators.

I'm doing something unusual right now, creating a short blog post direct to Arts Award Voice. I've just been spurred straight in to action

Halloween to me always seems like a great opportunity for interactive arts And creating daring work. My background is Theatre and the concept of Theatre of the Oppressed excites me. Direct audience engagement and creating something that not only wows audiences but brings them in as participants too.

It's not as bad as people are saying