Agenda item

Report of the Director of Arts.

The Board received a report and accompanying presentation from the Head of Visual Arts setting out the work of the department over the past year, plans for the year ahead, and posing questions for Members’ consideration.

Members offered congratulations for the successes of the past year and took the opportunity to raise a number of queries and points for consideration.

·      The restrictions on marketing and advertising in the City were discussed, with clarification on the position sought particularly in respect of highlighting that certain shows or performances might be taking place. It was asked that officers in the Barbican’s marketing team liaise with colleagues in the Department of the Built Environment to ascertain the position and provide clarity on the position at a future meeting.

·      Members noted the imminent establishment of ‘Olympicopolis’ to the City’s east with branches of artistic institutions such as the Victoria & Albert museum and Sadler’s Wells, as well as the Tate Modern extension opening soon to the south. These represented significant challenges with the risk that they could potentially draw audiences away from the City and the Barbican. The point was made however that these potential challenges also represented real opportunities, as the increased cultural offering was likely to increase the overall arts audience.

·      Members expressed enthusiasm for the concept of pop-up installations as an experimental and novel way of bringing the arts to people in unexpected places.

·      Suggestions were also made as to methods through which City workers might be attracted in larger numbers to exhibitions.

The Head of Visual Arts and Director of Arts thanked Members for their support and for the suggestions and comments made.

RECEIVED.