DRAFT

Stewartry Arts Hub

4pm, 21 March 2012 Castle Douglas Town Hall

Minutes

Present : David Lockwood (Co-Chair), Ken Smyth (elected Co-Chair), Colin Saul, Will Marshall, Cate Ross (elected Vice-Chair), Finlay Coupar, Zoe Blamire, Sara Lockwood, Delya Wilkinson, David Devereux (Minutes)

1. Welcome and apologies

DL welcomed all. All present introduced themselves. It was agreed that emails to hub members should remain open, showing all email addresses. However addresses could be hidden if that was an individual’s choice. Eight apologies were received – Bruce McKenzie, Susan Kirkpatrick, Margaret Milligan, Jodie Noble, Sean Paul O’ Hare, Jane Gibson, Cathy Agnew and Jodie Noble.

2. Minutes of the last meeting (11 January 2012)

Approved

3. Matters Arising

3.1 (item 2 refers) CR reported on social networking. Noted that the Annandale and Eskdale Hub had a Facebook account, and agreed that ZB will set up a Facebook account for the Stewartry and demonstrate it at the next meeting. Also agreed that ZB will set up an email account and email details of the Facebook account to members. Action ZB DD will email the Stewartry Hub members list to ZB to assist this. Action DD

4. Election of Chair

KS, WM and CR were standing for election. It was agreed to accept votes from individuals unable to attend this meeting. Seven had been received and these were added to the votes of the eight members present (DL and DD did not vote). KS was awarded the most votes and is therefore elected Co-Chair.

CR gained the second highest number, and was therefore elected Vice-Chair. Both appointments were made to the end of this year. [At this point KS took over the Chair]

5. ‘Mini Parliament’ meeting / draft Memorandum of Understanding

The minutes of the ‘Mini Parliament’ and Memorandum were discussed. DL queried whether it was actually a key task for the Hub to ‘develop and area based action plan’ as the Hub itself would not undertake activities. ‘Development or strategic plan’ might be a better term in this context. DL also queried whether ‘The Regionwide Arts Hub will ensure Resources / Projects are equally shared across Dumfries and Galloway’ – equitably shared would be a better phrase? KS felt that engagement and inclusiveness were key to the development of the Arts in the Stewartry. It was agreed that members present will review the draft Memorandum of Understanding, and will send their comments (including concerns and alternative solutions etc.) to DL before the next Chamber of Arts meeting on 28th March at 2pm in Castle Douglas. A general concern was expressed at the number of co-opted individuals in the current Chamber of Arts

6. Stewartry Mapping Exercise

DL felt this was crucial to establish current activities and resources in the Stewartry. He had extracted the Stewartry entries from the Mapping Exercise appended to Sue Pirnie’s report. It was agreed that he would send this to CR and ZB. Action DL

WM stressed the importance of the geographical and demographic context of the Stewartry. Noted that the Council had recently produced a Stewartry Profile document with this information.

It was agreed that CR will email Stewartry Hub members, using the new gmail address, to ask for additional data on individual practitioners, arts organisations and venues in the Stewartry. CR will collate this and forward to DL for 31 March. Action CR

7. AOCB

CS stressed the potential value of the hub for the exchange of information, using the forthcoming lantern making project for the Kirkcudbright Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Kirkcudbright as an example. It was agreed that the scope of the Hub should all inclusive, from strategic to practical issues.

FC raised several points about the conduct of business at future Hub meetings. The following points were agreed

• Meetings should be limited to 2 hours duration

• Individual Action points should be identified in the minutes

• Agenda items should be stated as specifically as possible

• Issues which individual members wished to raise under AOCB should be sent to the Chair at least 2 weeks before meetings. Items could still be raised at meetings, but it will be at the Chair’s discretion to allow discussion then or carry forward to the next meeting.

• ‘Networking’ should be a standing item on the agenda. Individuals could bring papers to circulate at this point. This might be combined with an informal coffee break.

8. Date of Next Meeting

To be confirmed by KS, but the next Stewartry Arts Hub meeting will take place in the week beginning 14th May (note change from discussion) at 1pm in the Mill on the Fleet, Gatehouse-of-Fleet.

Meeting closed at 6pm