HelloCatFood

Last week myself and others were invited to talk to someone from Ofsted about the Flying Start course. For those who don’t already know what it is, here’s the blurb:

An accredited training scheme for artists – working in any art form – who want to gain workshop planning and delivery skills and experience of community arts and participatory arts work.

The inspector was very clear to note that whilst she was from Ofested that this wasn’t actually an inspection. In the five years the course had been running it was identified as an example of good practice* and she was here to get feedback for their website from people who were on the course.

Overall it was really great to talk to her, but I think the general consensus is that it’s a crime that this course wont be carrying on as there is nothing quite like it anywhere else. Sure, you could attend the MA in Community Arts at Staffs Uni, but there’s only so much studying you can do before being thrown into the workshop delivery world. In the three months of the course you really do learn not only how to deliver a workshop, but also a bit about finance, networking, project planning and self promotion, which is something I feel university doesn’t cover enough.

The course is obviously needed, so if anyone from Birmingham City Council is reading this, sort it out and get Flying Start back!

*I may have got the actual terminology wrong, but you get the idea.

Setting up, originally uploaded by hellocatfood.

Thanks so very much to all that came to see the first B-VAC exhibition! It really was a great success.

I had a slight problem with hanging stuff up and we ran out of drinks, but for something that is funded entirely by us I think it was executed very well.

As this is my first exhibition ever (aside from the uni Degree Show) I felt really nervous about how well it’d be received, but my fears were put to rest once the event started. There’s a certain sense of satisfaction when you see someone looking at your artwork. Even if they don’t like it, just knowing that they’ve taken the time to form an opinion on it is more than satisfying.

Here’s a copy of the work I exhibited. (click to expand)

The B-VAC website is now up and running (being maintained by myself). Information is minimum at the moment, but all of the artists will hopefully soon be blogging on it and updating with news on their practice. Time to get some sleep before the exhibition tomorrow!

Oxfam still needs stewards:

I already talked about why you should volunteer, so now there’s no excuse

These are the last two screenshots I’ll show as it’s nearly finished. I don’t wanna ruin the final piece The other three are looking great as well. A few more minor adjustments to each and then off to print! Don’t forget to come along, join the facebook group or whatever!

I’ve really gotta make a move on with this work.Tomorrow I will have it all done!

Pretty self explanatory. Contact Eastside Projects if you know a bass player called John.

B-VAC display preparations, originally uploaded by hellocatfood.

All of the work’s almost done…

I was recently able to sit in on a universities Student Union meeting. One of the topics of discussion was their frustration that their course didn’t actually focus on the topic it should’ve. For example, almost everyone in the room has had to a basic web design module, even if they’re doing something like journalism or art. The university’s excuse for this is that soon everyone will have to have a website. I kinda understand their reasoning, as the web is playing an important part in just about everything, but shouldn’t the course focus on the topic at hand?

I can understand this reasoning if a journalism student was study online journalism or if an art student was making a web based project, but to teach web design ‘just in case’ seems like something that is more likely to irritate and frustrate people on the course.

I think a review of why subjects are taught is in order.

I went to the private view for this show by Ruth Claxton but I had to run off to see Reuben, so I went back a few days later so that I could appreciate the work and not just the free wine!

To me the work talks about the future and how it’s all just bouncing off each other and we’re not really going anywhere new. The way that the old, traditional figures are fused together with bright, colourful and very experimental objects made me think about how some art is just reinventions and reinterpretations of older works.

Though, after reading the actual booklet methinks I missed the point completely! Still, good work

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