Action Planning Session: ‘Name and Shame’ – who are the gatekeepers?

Convenor:

David Bennett

Attendees:

Raidene Carter, Vanessa Oakes, Theresa Heskins, Paul Warwick, Orla O’Laughlin

Description:

Initially, I wanted to confirm what is the region of West Midlands (being clear what is the geographical reach)

So, in no particular order:
Birmingham, Coventry, Warwickshire
Wolverhampton, Sandwell & Dudley
Stoke & Potteries, Staffordshire
Telford & Wrekin
Worcester & Hereford
Shrewsbury & Shropshire

And to clarify who I meant by these gatekeepers and would really like to know who are the PEOPLE that makes things happen?
e.g. for Coventry C.C. it would appear if you have the ear of John McGuigan then stuff happens (Imagineer have a good relationship)

I presented the following list as organisations that have direct impact on the artist ecology e.g, make policy and hold funds:
City Councils (Paid Officers & Elected Councillors)
County Councils (ditto)
Business Development Agencies
Regional Development Agencies or whoever replaces them
Cultural Agencies (inc ACE) / Creative Industry Agencies
Venue Partnerships/Programmers
Cultural Olympiad
Equity & other representative agencies
Board members of the ‘biggies’ eg Rep, RSC
MP/MEP

It was my hope that this list could be populated with names for each part of the region so we are clear who would be worth being in contact with, advocacy etc

Notes on discussion continued by RC:

RC asked: what would define a gatekeeper?
A: Policy-makers
Fund-holders
Advocates
Programmers in venues
Producers in venues
Council staff perhaps?

All agreed that if we considered those in political roles as gatekeepers, the bubble would be too big to tackle – at all times artists have to work within bureaucratic circles/limitations and we should accept that these people and agendas shift frequently.

Actions:
• We should have a think about the people who weren’t able to come to the event and ensure that they’re either invited to the next one, encouraged to visit the report site to read the notes and actions or attend midpoint events as a regular thing.
(PW pointed out that as of these two days, midpoint membership would be widened to include anyone who wishes to be involved and not just independent companies or artists, which already exclude many of the gate keepers identified)

• We should lobby venues and companies to have staff pictures on websites so artists know who they’re looking for at a social gathering for example – this to avoid the ‘formality’ of having to pitch work which some artists aren’t skilled in.

• We should see more work as per James Yarker’s pledging list to keep mixing and meeting industry movers and shakers.

• We should think about creating a ‘last minute ticket’ scheme, where a list of artists/midpoint members are invited to shows that haven’t sold out last minute to help those who can’t afford to see work frequently.