Agenda item

Management Report by the Centre's Directors

Report of the Managing Director.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Managing Director providing updates from the Barbican Directors on their respective areas. The following comments were made:

 

·         Members were advised that there had been good progress with the Culture Mile and that Tim Jones had been appointed as Culture Mile Manager.

 

·         Members were advised that Helena Gaunt had been appointed as Principle at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and the Managing Director saw this as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the Guildhall School and the Barbican. It was noted that time was needed to scope the range of work undertaken by Helena Gaunt and a temporary solution for the next school year had been decided to cover her responsibilities. Sean Gregory (Director of Learning & Engagement) and Jonathan Vaughan (Vice Principle & Director of Music) would split the responsibilities whilst working closely with Louise Jeffreys (Artistic Director of the Barbican) and support would be provided by Jenny Mollica who had taken on the role of interim Director of Creative Learning.

 

·         The Artistic Director advised Members that the theme for 2018 was The Art of Change and that many projects on the programme had been developed as part of this initiative which has generated support from the press and the public.

 

·         Members were advised that the fifth Walthamstow Garden Party took place on 14-15 July 2018 in collaboration with Waltham Forest Council. The Barbican will support Waltham Forest as the first London borough of culture in 2019.

 

·         It was noted that the partnership between the City of London and London Borough of Islington was growing and the two authorities were focusing specifically on four keys areas: young people’s skills and careers development, music education, cultural enrichment and teacher development.

 

·         Members were advised that the Barbican was looking at how it liaises with its residents. It was noted that mechanisms were now in place including a group chaired by Wendy Mead and a number of task groups regarding operational issues for events and that a good relationship was forming.

 

·         Members were advised that Digital Strategy was currently being reviewed and a report would go to the next Board meeting.

 

·         Members were advised that the Barbican had been successful in its bids for funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Heritage Lottery Fund which would fund an archiving project. A Member recommended seeking archiving advice from LMA.

 

·         A Member noted the importance of liaising with residents and noted that he was involved with a Legible London working group and saw this as an impactful group for the Barbican Centre to liaise with.

 

·         A Member saw the Barbican’s Young Entrepreneurs programme as unique and felt this should be highlighted to government who have set up a strategy to work in this area. Members agreed there was much evidence that could be used in the national picture regarding the arts and saw opportunities to work with arts councils.

 

·         The Managing Director noted that the City of London Corporation had published its Cultural Strategy and that the Barbican Centre featured heavily within this. The Town Clerk agreed to circulate the Cultural Strategy document to Members.

 

RECEIVED.

 

 

 

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