RESHAPING ARTS in the UK

A wealth of information is available via the Arts Council England around how arts organisations are reshaping with a focus on:

• money
• social purpose
• reshaping organisations

'2011/12 is a year of change for the arts sector. Many organisations are taking a fresh look at ways of developing their income streams. They are thinking about their assets and capabilities in order to strengthen their offer and enable the organisation to become more efficient, flexible and responsive'.  (Pg 1)
'A shift from seeing money as a grant based subsidy, to money as an investment that attracts more resources, strengthens sustainable practice and could afford greater freedom. Our conventional business model is quite static in the arts. We tend towards aiming to break even or have a small surplus or deficit...Being more enterprising and innovative, viewing money as investment and reshaping arts venues and organisations along new models used by community based, third sector organisations is challenging but potentially liberating. It's a big change in how we approach funding. But it can be done!' (Pg 7)
From Reshaping: New Horizons: seeking new opportunities and growth commissioned by Arts Council England.

Wrapping Up

A big thank you to all who have been involved in Branching Out. It has been a fantastic opportunity to explore the potential of social enterprise in the arts. While the project is wrapping up in a couple of weeks, the story will continue with exciting things afoot in Tas Regional Arts.
We are finalising a paper about the project with outcomes and recommendations that will be available.
So please stay in touch if you have a great idea and thanks again to the artists, organisations, especially TRA-K & Interweave & communities who have inspired and been inspired.
For more information about Social Enterprise check out the Social Traders or Social Ventures Australia websites.
There are some great things happening in this space including a review of the Tasmanian Social Enterprise Loan Fund and an upcoming workshop with key stakeholders to explore what is needed within the state. This fits within the Social Inclusion Unit of the Tasmanian Government.
And remember to download a copy of the Tasmanian Social Enterprise Study to see the key recommendations for the sector.
I will continue to work with Tasmanian Regional Arts, but in an entrepreneurial role supporting TRA branches, affiliates and regional artists. So please stay in touch and watch this space. xKylie

Sirolli Workshop in Hobart

Social Enterprise Workshop with Dr Ernesto Sirolli

Monday 21^st November

Kick-start your social enterprise dreams in a 2-hour workshop with international local development expert Dr Ernesto Sirolli – an engaging and provocative speaker, trainer and business coach. At very short notice, Dr Sirolli has agreed to run this workshop for people with a dream to establish or expand a social enterprise to benefit their local community or cause.

When: Monday 21st November 2011, 9:30 – 11:30am (arrive 9:15)

Where: Australian Italian Club, 77 Federal St, North Hobart

Cost:      $25 per person

Please RSVP to Tim Tabart email: tim@tascoss.org.au

To register or for more information, download a flyer.  (if link doesn’t work, cut and paste this address into your web browser: http://tascoss.org.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=SpPrYSravbk%3d&tabid=87 )

Definitely On TRAK

Just back from a quick trip up north to meet with the TRA team at the Latrobe office. Always a beautiful drive up North, the rolling green hills and chocolate brown paddocks never disappoint.
Very exciting to see the On Trak Gallery that TRA-K, one of our pilot groups, has now established in the Information Centre building near the Mural Park. In speaking with the President, Bronwyn Rossiter, it was the Mayor who approached the group to take on this space, which was for almost 2 years empty.

Capitalising on the success of the Working Art Space, with its new lighting, heating and facilities, this commercial gallery provides an opportunity for artists, jewelers and makers in Sheffield and beyond to exhibit and sell work. This now complements the role of the Working Art Space, which provides exhibition, workshop, meeting and studio space. The effort that TRA-K has put into improving the situation for creative makers is huge and is sure to have a massive impact on interest to both spaces.

Interweave Update

Branching Out has continued to work with Interweave Arts on a range of strategies for building capacity and identifying enterprise opportunities. Look out for the new website COMING SOON! Proudly supported by the Branching Out team.

Funding Social Enterprise-an example...

Parramatta City Council’s Social Enterprise Grants program has been running for five years and now allocates $80 000 per annum. The current round closes on 2^nd December 2011 and is for funding that will commence in July 2012.
The program has recently been re-structured and two funding streams are now available through the category:

§  The ‘business planning’ stream provides funding of up to $2 500 to assist early stage social enterprises to develop the business plan for their model.

§  The ‘growing social enterprise in Parramatta’ stream provides two grants of $25 000 ($50 000 total pool) to assist successful social enterprises locate in the Parramatta LGA (from elsewhere), or for local social enterprises to take a significant growth step (ie. if already based in Parramatta).

The ‘growing social enterprise in Parramatta’ stream is part of a larger Social Enterprise Attraction Strategy, which is working towards establishing Parramatta as a location of choice for social enterprises. 

Campbell Town Forum

Check out photographs taken on the day at the successful forum

Does this sound like you?

You have the skills to create art that people will want to buy but need an injection of funds and mentoring to get the business side of it all off the ground?

Tasmania’s own community lending service, NILS Network of Tasmania provides no interest loans of up to $3000 to very small businesses to help them get started or give them a boost.

MARKETING THE ARTS

MARKETING is such a crucial ingredient to successful enterprise development. This is a valuable tool for anyone within the arts interested in how marketing can help. Craft Victoriahttp://craft-victoria.blogspot.com/2011/06/craft-victoria-ceo-joe-pascoe-on-arts.html is an excellent example of a non profit organisation that has developed a multi-layered mechanism for showcasing art and craft. The store is a must see next time you are in Melbourne.

Life is never dull when you are working in the arts. With announcements of funding cuts from everyone from the State Government to ABC Television, there is a rumbling going on amongst arts organisations and artists.

I am hearing conversations about sharing resources, looking for new funding avenues and other ventures that can build income. While it's a challenging time, it's also an exciting opportunity for us all to lift our heads and start talking to each other. Rather than scrambling for the same bits of money, perhaps there are other answers.

For me, there is a lovely relationship between all my roles at the moment. My work as a private consultant led me to TRA and the role of managing Branching Out, the social enterprise project. This then led to working with the Institute for Regional Development as Research Associate on the Tasmanian Social Enterprise Study. TRA's CEO is on the advisory group for this project and continues to show a strong commitment to social enterprise in Tasmania.

This is particularly evident through the partnership with Tasmanian Council of Social Services (TasCOSS) where we sought funds to bring Dr Ernesto Sirolli to Tasmania. His approach was supporting what we were finding through our connection to the state. Since then we held the first Trinity of Management training in the state with involvement from a broad range of organisations and we hope to fund at least 2 social enterprise facilitators for Tasmania to work across sectors, including the arts. It's an interesting model that focuses on enabling the environment around social enterprises and making things happen. So, watch this space as we work with a range of partners and stakeholders to build on the momentum of Branching Out and the work of others in the social enterprise sector.

Branching Out on Social Traders

http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2010/03/branching-out-social-enterprise-and-arts

Learning from the Non Profit Sector

The npEnterprise Forum is the global,moderated, free listserv of almost 7500 subscribers who discuss practical ways social enterprises (SEs) can advance their social or environmental missions through entrepreneurial strategies. Regardless of your affiliation -- nonprofit, forprofit, hybrid, government, or individual entrepreneur -- if you're interested in social enterprise, you're welcome here. According to the Social Enterprise Alliance, a social enterprise is any organization (or activity within an organization) that "harnesses the power of the marketplace to solve critical social or environmental problems."

The benefits of sharing

An excerpt from research into the benefits of shared spaces by community, arts and others...
TROY, Mich. – When the Michigan Nonprofit Association, Michigan Association of United Ways and the Food Bank Council of Michigan move into new quarters in the state capital this fall (2011), they will be part of a growing trend: nonprofits co-locating under one roof. The nonprofits’ headquarters in Lansing, Mich., will be among more than 250 such centers in the United States and Canada.

Co-location centers come in all shapes and sizes. Some provide support such as bookkeeping, information technology and print and mail services in addition to office space. Brotsky cites a few examples:

• Arts Court in Ontario is a historic landmark building owned by the local municipality. A hub for Ottawa artists and audiences, Arts Court is home to a consortium of 26 arts and cultural organizations that save thousands of dollars a month in rent by sharing office and rehearsal space.
   
• The Alliance Center in Denver is home to 27 nonprofits. Half of those tenants work in the environmental field. The center and its tenants have helped pass more than 100 pieces of sustainability-related state legislation in just two years.
   
• Children & Family Services Center in Charlotte, N.C., is a nonprofit center with 11 organizations co-located to better serve the children and families. In addition to coordinating services, the center has expanded into shared back-office services including information technology, human resources and finance staff.

Social Entrepreneurs

Interesting article in the New York Times about Social Entrepreneurs. People interested in this field now have the opportunity to learn on the job via the School for Social Entrepreneurs in Sydney and now Melbourne. It's a coupe for those of us who have worked across sectors, and hopefully there will be some future options to access these and other courses for those of us living in Tasmania.

SOCIAL TRADERS

Set up around 3 years ago, Social Traders is a non profit organisation whose mission it is to support the emerging and established social enterprise sector. While some of its programs are focused on Victoria, such as The Crunch, many have relevance Nationally. Today I met with its Director, David Brookes to find out more about what they are doing and the potential opportunities in linking to the work in Tasmania.
Funded by the Victoria Government and a private donor, this fantastic team are working hands on with social enterprises, research organisations such as the Queensland University of Technology and others who are working in the field.
The resources they are developing include the Social Enterprise Builder; a step by step tool to developing a social enterpise and the Social Enterprise Finder; a listing of social enterprises across the country.
Leading the way in many respects, Social Traders is a useful and practical resource for those toying with the idea of social enterprise and those who want to build their ventures.

Social Enterprise in Melbourne

I have a couple of days in Melbourne to explore some of what is happening around creative social enterprises. There has been much publicity about Social Studios and Grace McQuilten has a track record for some really exciting social enterprise operations. So I am hoping to catch up with Grace.

Today I caught up with Joe Pascoe, Director of Craft Victoria, a non profit arts member based arts organisation. I had checked out what they were doing through their website, but there is nothing like seeing the real thing. They have a beautiful shop that sells art and craft products produced by members of the organisation. There is an adjoining gallery and behind the secret door, more gems with an extensive library and offices for the staff. The focus of this organisation is on curatorial, community and commerce and between the accessible website and classy shopfront at 31 Flinders Lane, they are combining these beautifully. There is a membership of more than 8000 and a distribution list of more than 7000, which means these guys have fantastic community support for the work they undertake. Really enjoyed catching up with Joe and will certainly be heading back to the shop to do some shopping.

DO YOU HAVE A GREAT IDEA?

Expressions of interest forms are now available for those wanting to work with the Branching Out team.

Throughout the project we have been approached by wildlife sanctuaries, tourism businesses, artists, galleries, artist cooperatives and other creative people who are wanting to develop a social enterprise to support their work. While our time with the two pilots; Interweave Arts and TRA-K Sheffield, winds down in the coming months we are keen to find others who want to develop, market and get their product, service or event out there.
So email kylie@tasregionalarts.org.au so we can send you a form (1 page with 2 questions-simple)

Enterprise Development

There is little doubt that branching out has identified the need for greater hands on support for artists and arts organisations. The result of a little bit of expertise aimed in the right direction has enabled our two pilot groups to achieve some of their goals. But how do we support this work, how do we fund it and how do we do it?
In late 2009 I was drawn to Ripples on the Zambezi, a book written by Ernesto Sirolli that illustrates the damage that individuals can do when not invited by communities.
In partnership with Tasmanian Council of Social Services, we brought Ernesto to Tasmania in August last year to speak at the Regional Arts Australia Conference. Anyone who has heard him knows what a passionate, straight shooting speaker he is. His model of working with entrepreneurs resonates with me as I continue to hear stories of disillusionment, frustration and despair from artists, writers, performances and creative thinkers who are trying to do it all.

Ripples on the Tasmanica

What a massive week it was and I am still recovering. I was lucky enough to be one of 15 participants in the Trinity of Management workshop run by Ernesto Sirolli. Gathering in a room with key people from Lifeline, Migrant Resource Centre, entrepreneurs and others we listened to the principles of this approach which has been honed over the past 25 years.
What a huge reservoir of knowledge this team has, having worked all over the world from Africa to Cornwall, UK. The Trinity of Management training reinforced the approach of focusing on individual strengths and gathering the skills around you that are lacking.
'Do what you love to do and find others to do the things you hate'. It's such a simple approach, but goes against the individualist approach that current business models take.
Three days of debating, discussing and sharing stories was fantastic and is only the beginning.
The training fits perfecting with Branching Out, which has identified gaps in the industry and the need for new approaches. With financial support from Rio Tinto, the Myer Foundation and the Department of Economic Development this was an invaluable training opportunity.
Ernesto will be back in September and we will continue to work with TasCOSS and other stakeholders to progress the opportunities. Watch this Space!!!

Event/Project Management Workshop

This Project Management Workshop offers an invaluable toolkit for you to build a framework for systematic planning, monitoring and reviewing to help you get and keep control of your work, improve efficiency and effectiveness and reduce stress.

Highly regarded presenter, Jill Gael, returns with another session of her practical and realistic Managing Projects Workshop, in partnership with the Australia Business Arts Foundation. Make sure to bring all your realistic event frustrations and specific problems because that’s what Jill wants to work on with you.

The Program will cover:

·         Key elements from planning and scoping through to completion as well as what these and other things mean.

·         Best ways to work to meet timelines and be within budget.

·         How to keep project workers, volunteers and other stakeholders well informed and on track for success.

·         Ways to manage and minimise Identified risks.

·         How to be creative when something unplanned arises.

·         Wrapping up well.

·         Evaluating projects.

If you are on the committee or board of management, a paid or volunteer member of an event/arts organisation, then this is a terrific opportunity for you to pack your skills toolbox with a shed-full of tricks and techniques to enable your event to stand out in a crowded calendar.

Events Tasmania, as part of its Event Development Program, provides this workshop free for Tasmanian event/arts organisers. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided.

Launceston

Friday 1 July 2011

9.30am – 4.30pm

Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery @Inveresk

2 Invermay Road, Inveresk

Parking is available in the main car park for $4 all day.

Hobart

Monday 4 July 2011

9.30am – 4.30pm

Royal Society Room,

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

19 Davey Street entrance (on water dock side of building)

Register at info@eventstasmania.com or 03 6237 6431 before Monday 20 June 2011. Places are filling fast.

For more details go to   http://www.eventstasmania.com/event_development_program/day_workshops/Managing_Projects_Workshop

The future of charity

Dan Pallotta is an enigmatic speaker and entrepreneur from the US who has been committed for many years to finding better ways to support not for profits. I was lucky enough to hear him speak in San Francisco last year and he really challenged the current situation for many community based organisations.
His book Charitable describes the inequity between profit making and charitable organisations and he suggests that there needs to be a complete shift in our thinking about giving and management.
So check out his website and the new venture he has began which combines ethics, non profits and marketing.

Branching Out has been working with two pilot organisations (Interweave Arts and TRA-K, a volunteer branch of Tasmanian Regional Arts based in Sheffield) to explore social enterprise and its’ potential to build sustainability, strength and new opportunities for the organisations.

Early in the project we identified the need for new approaches that could meet the needs of individuals and groups, as existing programs focused almost entirely on individual and organisational skill development. Our consultation indicated that this approach was not sustainable or realistic for many, especially given the amount of work that was already being undertaken. This situation was impacting on the capacity of the organisations to maintain current operations and expand programs and services.

Rather than operating as consultants or mentors, we developed and then implemented a facilitating and coaching service whereby people with the relevant skills became part of the groups and projects; injecting the right skills at the right time. The response from the pilots was immediate and we soon saw a ripple effect as they achieved many of their identified goals. These groups had already been contributing enormously to the cultural, social and economic life of their communities; they just needed a little assistance to go to the next stage.

The approach we have taken has elements similar to the Sirolli model whereby Enterprise Facilitators work with individuals and communities to develop enterprise. We have found there is a need for the type of work we have been doing and increased skills within Tasmania and a willingness to look at new models to respond to these needs. That's why we are partnering with TasCOSS to present the Sirolli training. It's not the only solution but it is a valuable addition to learning within the sector. If you are interested in undertaking the training please email tim@tascoss.org.au 

Future of social enterprise and the arts

We are being approached weekly by arts organisations interested in social enterprise and developing ideas that can benefit them. Today is the launch of the Tasmanian Social Enterprise Study, which has seen the arts being very well represented.www.socialenterprisetasmania.blogspot.com It's exciting to see what is possible when you combine ideas, creative and productive minds together.

TRA-K Celebration

Dr Ernesto Sirolli Training Opportunity

PASSION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INVIGORATING LOCAL ECONOMIES
3 Day Trinity of Management® Training
by Dr Ernesto Sirolli of the Sirolli Institute
Presented by Tasmanian Council of Social Service Inc and Tasmanian Regional Arts Inc.
June 15-17, 2011 (inclusive)
Venue to be confirmed (location-Launceston)
Numbers are limited, so please book your place ASAP

Who should participate? People who have a passion for helping their region and clients grow and prosper, whose work brings them into contact with people with ideas, opportunities and passions, and would like additional tools to help those people move their ideas forward.
These include: Local government officers; Chamber of Commerce and local development organisation personnel; Community Relations/Sustainable Development Personnel in the corporate sector; rural advisors; community and social support organisations; arts organisations; migrant settlement services, etc.
For more information please contact Kylie on 0439 262 344 or email kylie@tasregionalarts.org.au

Telling stories

On Tuesday 5 April, the Australian Stories of Social Enterprise publication was launched – a result of a collaboration between The Centre for Social Impact and Parramatta City Council. It is the first of its kind in Australia.

The stories explored in the book cover a diverse range of social enterprises, from recycling mattresses, to street coffee carts, cafes and restaurants, renewable energy, printing, digital technology and many more.

Thirty-five face-to-face interviews with thirty-three organisations were conducted between 2009 and February 2010. The stories presented provide a snapshot of the interviewees’ perspectives on their own and their organisations’ experiences.

The book is attached below.

Please contact csi@unsw.edu.au for more information

On the Road

Thursday morning and the Getz is packed for the trip up North. First stop Launceston's Interweave Arts to workshop the latest business plan and talk marketing opportunities. It's always invigorating and rewarding working with Kim Schneiders and James Newton of Interweave Arts and with our Community Business Facilitator, Warren Butler. It's a varied and dynamic team. We take a slightly different approach to the norm, using language that fits with the organisation while still accommodating the world of business. The focus is on long term vision with short term achievable and much needed outcomes. Interweave has already got most of it together, but becoming part of their team through the project has allowed them to access different skills and resources.
A few hours later and we finalise the plan which will provide the organisation with valuable information for future funding applications while being a useful working document for the team. It is fascinating to see just how much Interweave has contributed to the Northern Tasmanian community. 

Public Art produced by Interweave at Inveresk

Kim, Kylie, James and Warren at The Studio at Inveresk

A quick catch up with Yo-Anne Eastley from Tasmanian Polytechnic to talk about their students making Interweave badges as part of their enterprise program. Many of their students have already been involved in the Interweave studio program, so it's building on an existing relationship. The badges have been a sell out, so more are being produced, and the Interweave art cards have been extremely popular.
A quick coffee and it's on the road again to help out with the Material Girl exhibition which opens in Burnie. 
Catch up up with the team at the TRA Latrobe head office including Theresa Beck-Swindale, the coordinator of Material Girl. With more than 50 entries, the Burnie Arts Council gallery is looking fantastic. Details of the winners are on the Tasmanian Regional Arts website.  But here is a little teaser from the opening night.

Material Girl Photos

It was a fantastic evening, as you can see. The next day I dropped into the Working Art Space in Sheffield. It's the other pilot group we are working with. The newly installed heat pumps looked great and the team were excitedly talking of the new lighting and the potential of having movable gallery petitions.
I just happened to be there as a life drawing workshop was about to begin, so guess who became the model-clothes on of course. It is amazing what is included in my job description. It was great to chat with the participants and see the expertise of the tutor Kerry Martin. 

Setting up for the workshop

It was another successful road trip and a reminder of the incredible passion and interest in artists by regional communities. Thanks for having me guys and I look forward to the next trip.

SUPPORT INTERWEAVE ARTS

Intertweave Arts is now listed on the Australian Cultural Fund. So get on line, read about the Access Arts Link program and support their valuable work today.

Support for Social Entrepreneurs

The Minnesota Cup
There are a number of funding opportunities in the US and countries to support social entrepreneurs. We know there are many individuals who are driven to set up social enterprises. Let's hope we can convince government and other funding organisations to invest in this sector. 
School for Social Entrepreneurs The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) Australia provides learning programs to enhance the effectiveness of Australia’s social entrepreneurs and their social ventures.  Social entrepreneurs are everyday people with ideas or businesses that deliver a social or community benefit.  
SSE runs a 9-month program that gives social entrepreneurs the personal and business support they need to grow their venture to be more effective. At the moment the only option for us Taswegians is for us to travel weekly to Melbourne, but let's hope there are other options in the not too distant future.
The SSE approach to social enterprise is one that focuses on social entrepreneurs creating community-engaged, community-shaped organisations. We have found that it is a combination of personal support and development, project knowledge and leadership skills which leads to the creation of robust, responsive, effective and sustainable solutions to unmet needs. 
It is also our experience that action learning is the most effective approach for individuals leading social change. (SSE website)

HARD WORK PAYING OFF

We are continuing to work with the two pilots involved in the Branching Out project. TRA-K's Working Art Space is in the process of having new heating installed along with a lighting system that will enhance the artwork. It's been a partnership between the hard working volunteers, our Community Business Facilitator, Warren Butler and the Kentish Council. The challenges that have been traversed along the way confirm the need for additional skills and support to ensure that the volunteer group doesn't get swamped and exhausted.

Interweave Arts is working on its 2011 program, while we are working with them on a new business plan, brochures and the production and distribution of cards and badges. We are talking with Tasmanian Polytechnic in Launceston about some of their students involved in the Work Education program. Teachers are wanting to undertake more enterprise as part of the course that involves young people with physical and intellectual disabilities. We have done a bit of a test run and the response has been very positive. We have two major retail outlets wanting to stock cards and badges in 2011.