Arts & Business Case studies - Wales

Samantha James & Zoom Cymru Ltd: Zoom and boom - Arts & Business

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:46:44 GMT

Shortlisted for Prudential A&B Board Member of the Year Award, 2009

The opportunity

Zoom Cymru, a young people's film and media development programme, was in need of sound financial direction for operational and fundraising reasons and to ensure future stability. Samantha James’ uptake of chair of Zoom’s Finance and Personnel Sub-Committee led to the development of numerous new financial strategies and systems being put in place. In return for contributing her skills and experience Samantha was offered the opportunity to meet new people from other professional backgrounds, learn about the film industry and work with young people.

The impact

Samantha’s help has been invaluable, helping the young team at Zoom come to grips with financial planning and monitoring, helping them through a tight cash flow period and through their first audit. She has also helped with the financial practicalities for funding applications. Samantha acted as a mentor to Rebecca Lee, Zoom’s Administration Manager, and is supportive of all staff and passionate about Zoom’s success. Samantha has found her experience as Trustee extremely rewarding, gaining enormous insight into the public sector and the film industry and having a lot of fun too.

"We’ve been extremely lucky to have Sam’s skill and commitment on board to help us meet the challenges that a young arts organisation faces. Through her tireless commitment to Zoom, and to the people working here, the organisation is stronger and more stable than ever. She has also been wonderful at passing on her knowledge to others, helping build a long-term platform for continuing success." Lisa Davies, Director/Chief Executive, Zoom Cymru

Barclays PLC & It’s My Shout: Blockbuster partnership of the year - Arts & Business

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:46:43 GMT

Shortlisted for JTI A&B Community Award, 2009

The opportunity

Banks and films together are usually the ingredients for a blockbuster heist. This project was certainly different but no less exciting for those involved. As part of their long-standing partnership initiated by Arts & Business, Barclays plc and It’s My Shout (IMS), the short film training scheme for Wales, developed a young people’s money management programme. The project was an ideal opportunity for Barclays to raise their profile among young audiences. For IMS, Barclay’s professional expertise was an invaluable resource in teaching participants about film-budgeting, finance workshops, gaining experience on a live film set and organising the annual BAFTA-style local film premiere.

The impact

Barclays promoted the many opportunities in film business and finance to over 1,000 IMS trainees from diverse communities across Wales, impacting in a positive and lasting way on their own personal circumstances. An estimated 350 trainees have found employment in the industry as a direct result of this partnership. The project helped teach young people the importance of making independent and informed decisions about spending, saving and obtaining value for money.

“Partnering with It’s My Shout gave us the chance to teach young people some real financial responsibility while engaging them in an area of real passion and building life-long customer bases. Our commitment to local communities also led to some very supportive media coverage.” Kathy Brown, Community Investment Manager - Wales & West, Barclays PLC

Liberty Stadium & Pippin’s Designs: Where art meets sport - Arts & Business

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:46:43 GMT

Winner of the JTI A&B Community Award, 2009

The opportunity

An empty sports stadium of 5000 square feet waiting to be filled with colour and life. Pippin’s Designs did exactly this, covering the walls of the new Liberty Stadium in Swansea with the most wonderful art through one of their tailored art projects for children with physical and learning difficulties. With support from Arts & Business, Pippin’s Designs and Liberty Stadium welcomed a joint enterprise, recognising that children would immediately engage with the creative mix of art and sport. Liberty Stadium, one of the largest community venues in West Wales, offered a public showcase for Pippin’s Designs, as well as access to other potential sponsors.

The impact

Over 1500 disabled, special needs and otherwise vulnerable children have been able to show their true potential through a range of arts activities. The Stadium has filled its walls with unique artwork attracting widespread positive publicity and a source of joy for all those involved. This partnership is fully sustainable as an ongoing project, with many more creative plans in the pipeline.

"Over 750000 visitors a year get to see the vibrant artworks that line the walls of the Liberty Stadium – most of them created by local young people. Local children, youth groups and young adults with a variety of disabilities and learning difficulties have all been given a chance to make a real mark on their surroundings and have helped us to make the Stadium feel very much part of the community." Andrew Davies, General Manager, Liberty Stadium

G4S and Hay Festival: A story from behind bars - Arts & Business

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 13:46:43 GMT

Shortlisted for JTI A&B Community Award, 2009

The opportunity

Think Johnny Cash. Think Folsom Prison. Now imagine the literary equivalent of that momentous partnership and you have Hay in the Parc. Hay in the Parc, came about through an Arts & Business investment partnership, bringing one of the world’s biggest literary events into G4S managed Parc Prison in Bridgend, South Wales. The Festival aims to make its events as accessible to as many people as possible. The Parc Prison regards literature and education as crucial to the wellbeing and future of its prisoners. The coming together of the two was an opportunity to strengthen the profile of the prisoners within the local community and enable the Festival to reach wider audiences.

The impact

By transferring to the prison, the Festival was able to offer a diverse programme of events to 1,200 inmates and over 600 staff. The project helped Parc offenders improve their literary skills and overall confidence, which the prison hopes will contribute to a positive integration back into the community. Hay in the Parc also gave prisoners an opportunity to participate in additional literary projects including the Quick Read series, In-side Out, portraying real life stories from behind bars. Publication sales will help support the Hay Festival and fund future creative community projects.

"We’re proud to have been associated with a project that has real transformative potential – bringing the ‘high’ culture of the Hay Festival to Parc Prison was a chance to change lives as well as attitudes." Sara Webber, Marketing & Communications Manager, G4S