Hearts for the Arts at Local Government Association conference

Last week, our Chair Samuel West spoke to the UK's largest gathering of councillors and officers involved with culture, tourism and sport.

“I’m not here to preach to the choir. I’m here to praise them” said our Chair Samuel West to the Local Government Association (LGA)’s Culture, Sport and Tourism conference last week.

The LGA are one of our partners for the Hearts for the Arts Awards, which we created to thank and celebrate the work of Councils, Councillors and Council Officers who have overcome financial challenges to ensure the arts stay at the centre of community life.

During his conference speech about Hearts for the Arts, Sam told delegates:

“I know you head into work every morning thinking “Allow a venue to close? Not on my watch. You can have my arts budget when you prise it from my cold dead hands.” I’m not here to preach to the choir, I’m here to praise them. In extremely trying circumstances we know how much you’re doing to keep arts and culture at the centre of your communities. 

The battles you fight daily in meeting rooms and on the floor of council chambers across the country have a real, transformative effect on people’s lives. Please keep fighting them.”

You can download and read the full transcript of NCA Chair Samuel West’s speech here.

Our chair was also delighted to be able to present two of the 2018 Hearts for the Arts Awards to their winners at the conference – Lorna Lee, winner of Best Local Authority Arts Champion – Officer, and Stuart Davis who received the award on behalf of Plymouth City Council’s project I.AM.NOT.A.ROBOT winner of Best Local Authority Arts Initiative.

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said:

“The outstanding work by Lorna Lee in Waltham Forest shows what can be achieved, and is also reflected in the recent announcement of Waltham Forest as the first London Borough of Culture in 2019″.

“The innovative project I.AM.NOT.A.ROBOT from Plymouth City Council is also a worthy winner in its approach towards one of the biggest challenges facing local government – the recruitment of new foster carers.”

“These awards highlight the positive impact that arts and culture can have on our local areas, and what can be accomplished by the talented and creative people working in our councils.”

This year’s awards saw more nominations than ever before, from all four UK nations for the unsung arts champions of local councils, councillors and local authority officers.

Sam added:

“Hearts for the Arts is a celebration, a chance to heap praise on the exceptional people who champion the arts as a life-enriching force for good. These two awards are richly deserved.

These awards highlight the positive impact that arts and culture can have on our local areas, and what can be accomplished by the talented and creative people working in our councils.”

The remaining winners of the 2018 Hearts for the Arts Awards will be presented with their awards at special presentations in their local areas later this year.

The 2019 Hearts for the Arts Awards will open for submission later this year. Watch this space for details.

Pictured above L – R : Lorna Lee, Samuel West, Stuart Davis and Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE

CFTA Team

CFTA Team

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