Developing audiences for the arts

Issue 43 / July 2011

Onwards and upwards

While compiling this issue of JAM on developing audiences for the arts I got to thinking about a line I often use when describing who the AMA is for; ‘arts professionals passionate about bringing arts and audiences together’. Yes – you.

It is currently just as well that such a passionate, creative and committed community is charged with this task and as Heather Maitland found out from the AMA membership for her regular Research Round Up column there are mixed feelings going into the future (page 4). Examples of innovative and successful audience development initiatives and ideas being carried out by AMA members fill the rest of this issue.

Steven Hadley shares with us what happened when Audiences Northern Ireland launched the Test Drive the Arts initiative (page 6), Rosemary James from Tramway discusses their award-winning audience engagement Footprints project (page 8) and Vicki Allpress-Hill takes a look at the role websites play in audience development (page 10)

Anne Torregianni of Audiences London wonders what the fair-weather bookers are up to now (page 16), Helen Stallard of Ikon takes us on a Birmingham bus ride (page 19) and Devinda de Silva invites us to a National Theatre Wales Assembly (page 14).

In the spotlight this month is Chris Denton, ex of the Barbican, now consultant, regular AMA speaker and newly-appointed AMA board member.

Meet your AMA member reps on the middle pages (page 12) along with my colleagues Neil and Isky who look after the reps and the scheme. We get to know a bit more about Charlotte Kewell of the British Museum in Just a Minute (page 22) and as an added extra Emily Till shares tips from the AMA’s press and PR summit that took place earlier this year (page 21).

Any thoughts, comments or suggestions for JAM? Please email the Editor.