More than Arty-Farty

This isn't just an opportunity to learn about the arts.

Even as a permanent job, I can see how working at Manchester International Festival would be a constant learning experience. Over the past three weeks I've realised just how effective the arts can be as a pathway into learning about the rest of the world... And it's our job to make our audiences see that.

This week I've learnt about the fascinating and inspiring stories the people of Manchester have, through reading about MIF Creative's 2009 commission Procession, by Jeremy Deller. The book which was published after Deller's procession of Manchester groups through the city centre and after the exhibition which ran throughout the 2009 festival, outlines some eye-opening and heart-warming tales. One of these stories speaks of a Manchester family who hired a Jewish au pair before the second world war. Many years later, when the family found out that the young woman they had known and loved had been killed in the Holocaust, they did all they could to help the family she had left behind.

I've read a new report by the Association of British Orchestras which documents the impact of school music workshops on children and their creativity, and can lead to professional music careers in later life. The report is located here: http://abo.org.uk/user_files/ABO Publication Downloads/ABOUnlockingPotential.pdf (you'll have to copy and paste it into your browser as it's some kind of funny link with spaces in it, sorry guys!)

I've learnt that dance is now uniting with politics - the DanceVote2010 website has been launched to allow dancers to email their local MPs and invite them to events, with the long term aim of getting dance to be recognised and considered by MPs nationwide. (http://www.dancevote2010.com/)I've learn about philosophy, Plato in particular:

Leaders should appear to do very little and delegate ruthlessly; they should
listen, think and spend time dreaming about their organisations. Plato
considered contemplation to be the highest form of human activity, the aim of
life being to see life rightly, not to change the world. In our 'busy' age we
should constantly question what we are busy doing.

- Tony Heaton, Chief Executive, Shape Arts

I've learnt a lot more about science and religion too, but for various reasons I cannot yet reveal that information! All in due course bloggers, all in due course.

Much Love, loving it.
CC.