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Swindon DOES do Arts Mob: 07913
Helen Miah, Swindon Council Commissioner Leisure, Libraries & Culture, responds to the view of 444076
Swindon The Opera writer and producer Matt Fox in the December Link
that the council is not supporting arts activity
Those of us who live or work in ness that the curtain has had to FOR ALL YOUR PRINT &
Swindon and actively take part in the be pulled down on this festival, the DIGITAL REQUIREMENTS
arts scene know that despite how work continues to promote the arts
it’s sometimes portrayed, Swindon in Swindon. In these extremely chal- IN WEST SWINDON
is not a cultural desert. lenging economic times it’s going to ARTWORK & DESIGN • WEBSITES
Swindon has a rich cultural his- be even more important that the arts LITHO / DIGITAL PRINTING
tory and thriving community arts sector works collectively to promote LARGE FORMAT • CANVAS PRINTS
scene and there are any number the array of activities in the town. STATIONERY • NCR PADS, AND MORE
of organisations and individuals The newly upgraded Swindon
who contribute - or who have con- Does Arts website is just the place
tributed - to the development of the to do this. The content is user driven
arts community in Swindon. and everyone involved in the arts
It would be wrong to single any is encouraged to join, upload a
out but for starters there’s nature profile, news, images, events and
Unit 101 Basepoint Centre
writer and novelist Richard Jeffer- even videos. Rivermead Swindon Wilts SN5 7EX
ies, Harold Jolliffe who oversaw www.swindondoesarts.co.uk Telephone: 01793 490490
the opening of the country’s first Helen at last summer’s Big Arts Day www.mllprint.co.uk
dedicated municipal Arts Centre, Art is part of our daily lives; it • Art groups prices hike on page 22
mural artist Ken White, award- enriches and nourishes us. Without
winning Swindon Film Society, it… well, it doesn’t bear thinking
world renowned XTC, nationally about, does it?
recognised Swindon Dance, artists The Swindon Does Arts (SDA)
collective Artsite, current media network and brand was established
darling Jahmene Douglas, and of in 2008 by a partnership of arts
course many, many more. organisations and individuals all
Defining what of whom are pas-
is meant by ‘arts’ sionate about the
is always going to arts and Swindon.
be tricky. If you take The aim was to
The Arts Council’s raise the profile
broad definition it includes activities of all things artistic and creative in
that some may not even consider our town, to challenge the cultural
an art form, such as embroidery, desert perception and demonstrate
pottery, crochet, jewellery-making, just how much arts activity there
carnivals, design and digital arts. 99 really is in Swindon.
per cent of the population engage The SDA logo was created by local
with the arts in some way, whether designer Mark Pepperall and anyone
that’s watching a child in a school and everyone who shares the belief
play, singing in a community choir, that Swindon Does Arts is welcome
listening to some great music or to download and use it. Whilst the HEALTH ONLY
reading an inspiring book. Swindon Borough Council Arts team & FITNESS £55
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the severe financial constraints be- community artists, organisations For more info contact a member of our Spa 6 team
ing suffered by Swindon Council and those engaged in the sector Call: 0845 500 66 66 • www.spa6.co.uk • [email protected]
means that funding is no longer to share their art. Spa 6 • Cotswold Water Park Four Pillars Hotel • Lake 6, Spine Road East, South Cerney, Gloucestershire, GL7 5FP
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available for any further festivals. While it is with regret and sad-

19 - 48 January 13.indd 19 14/12/2012 10:33