NEWS: Opportunities for older artists

Grace Lau, Garden series

'New Old: Thirty Thousand Years of Experience', is a recent report commissioned by South East Arts looking into the creativity of older people within the region.

Over 34% of the population in the region are over 50, making this particular group of people an extremely valuable and important sector of the artistic community.

The report gathered information through questionnaires, meetings and focus groups, the results of which highlighted several common concerns.

The research revealed that older artists often feel isolated, which can often lead to a lack of information and therefore a lack of power to achieve ambitions.

Three main needs were identified in the report - affordable workspace, venues in which to show and promote work, and more contact with other artists.

Creativity of Older People is a pilot scheme that aims to try and tackle some of these problems. Eleven networkers have already been appointed across the region to establish communication between artists who fall into this category.

The team of networkers will offer an administrative focus for this under-profiled group, promoting and supporting art events, activities, training workshops and funding opportunities.

For further details about the project and how to join go to, www.seacop.org.uk

NEWS: Resource for a digital age

Re.Source is a digital arts resource that is run by artists for artists.

Based at Stroud Valleys Artspace, in Gloucestershire, Re.Source offers several schemes to assist artists who work with or wish to work with digital media - from training courses in various design and video software programmes, to offering technical support for individual artist's projects. It also runs an ongoing programme of events helping to promote both regional, national and international artists.

The training workshops are held throughout the year, and range from one-day crash courses in web and poster design, to weekend courses in digital film editing or more intensive four-week courses. And for artists who need a little more persuasion Re:source also offers free introductory sessions to give a little taster of what to expect.

Re.Source is always on the lookout for new artists who are interested in or already use digital media in their work. Either to showcase in its programme of events, or to assist in the production of new work through bursaries to help with the cost of training, editing or other technical support.

Re.Source is really valuable for any artist wishing to explore and learn more about this fast growing area of practice.

For details, contact info@sva.org.uk