Babergh District Council's new Arts & Community Development Officer is a woman on a mission - and she wants YOU to make yourself known!

Susie Tyrrell, who joined Babergh in August, would like to hear from anyone who runs a theatre group, holds music performances, local musicians, artists, dance co-ordinators, drama practitioners, film makers, arts clubs or societies. The information received by Susie will form Babergh's first Arts Register and will be used to discover gaps in arts provision in the district. The Register will also enable Babergh to identify ways it can support and promote artists and arts organisations and develop opportunities for the future.

Arts development is a service aimed at encouraging and nurturing arts activity. The service can provide advice, information and support to local artists, arts organisations and groups and provides a programme of arts activities with partners that local residents and visitors to the area can benefit from. In 2004 an estimated 17,000 people attended performances or took part in arts activity delivered and supported by Babergh District Council.

Susie Tyrrell, Arts and Community Development Officer said "This is an exciting time for the arts in this area! There's loads happening, some that we know a great deal about, and other things that we want to find out more about. Forming an Arts Register will help us to direct members of the public wishing to join new clubs or find an artist or music teacher in the right direction first time. This is a win-win situation for those using the service, whether they are a user or a provider".

Signing up to the Arts Register is free and organisations on the Register will be sent details about business and local arts opportunities in the district.

Anyone interested in signing up for the Arts Register should visit the Babergh's website at www.babergh.gov.uk and follow the link for Leisure, Tourism and Culture. Full details are available by clicking on Culture, [here] together with a downloadable Artist Information form. Anyone who does not have internet access and would like a form sent to them should contact Gemma O'Shea on 01473 826655.

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