ArtWorks: Developing Practice in Participatory Settings is the newest Special Initiative from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and supports the continuing professional development of artists working in participatory settings.

We have received details from The Mighty Creatives (TMC) about their current survey on arts and cultural provision for children and young people in the East Midlands. We ask that you consider completing the survey, as we believe it is important that as wide a representation as possible of participatory and community arts activity from around the region is represented. Deadline 7th March.

EMPAF took a delegation of 21 people to provide a diverse and rich representation of the participatory arts from the East Midland to the International Community Arts Festival (ICAF) in Rotterdam last weekend.

We have added a whole range of categories to help website members describe your work and website users search. Simply login, go to your profile, click on edit then categories and choose as many of these that help describe your work. If there are any terms missing add them to the tags of your profile. To find people and organisations working in various arts forms click on directory and enter word or phrase in the search box or choose a category to find all the profiles that match!

EMPAF have joined forces with colleagues in the West Midlands to co-ordinate its second National Symposium for Participatory and Community Arts’ Leaders, Directors, Project and Development Workers

Plans are underway for another national symposium. Taking place this November watch this space for more details or join the website now!

If you would like to discuss your work and ideas: ask questions; share experiences; make new contacts and find out more information about a range of issues all in a relaxed, informal atmosphere join us at one of our forthcoming free networking events.

Watch this space for more details on the forthcoming series networking events taking place this Autumn in Northamptonshire. Dates confirmed so far include Friday 1st October in Corby and Monday 4th October in Kettering with more dates coming for Northampton, Wellingborough and Brackley.

It is with great sadness that EMPAF must relay the news that John Buston has died. He had been diagnosed with cancer last year and died at home on Saturday. It was he who, as a young member of the Arts Council of Great Britain staff pioneered community arts as a valid expression of creativity and as Director of the old East Midlands Arts Board he was a tremendous champion for community and part..

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The EMPAF conference video and the animated 'Talking Heads' video are now up on youtube. Check them out by following the link from the EMPAF organisation profile.