FURTHERING
CARNIVAL ARTS IN UK Pax Nindi
Managed by Global Carnivalz Limited | 71 – 75 SHELTON RD, WC2H 9JQ
NATIONAL CARNIVAL ORGANISORS’ GUILD
ABOUT THE GUILD
1
WHY A GUILD?
2
AIMS OF THE GUILD
3
BENEFITS OF GUILD MEMBERSHIP
3
MEMBERSHIP
4
GUILD MANAGEMENT
4
About the Guild The National Carnival Organisors Guild is an association of organisors of Carnivals in United Kingdom formed by Global Carnivalz in July 2020 for mutual aid, protection, sector development, support and furtherance of Carnival arts in the UK. This document gives the reasons of its formation, its aims, benefits, being a member and the management of the Guild.
Why a Guild? Carnival is well supported at government level in countries such as Brazil, Italy, South Africa, Nigeria and Trinidad where it is taken serious for both cultural and tourism reasons. Although England has Europe’s largest Carnival and also some of the English carnivals have been going for over 400 years, there is still a lack of understanding, support or recognition for this artform. The reasons for this Guild include; • There isn’t a national body currently that represents and supports carnivals or their organisors in areas crucial in the sector for lobbying government, funding and producing carnival events etc. • There is still a gap in working between the different UK carnival cultures i.e. traditional English and Caribbean based carnivals and across UK borders: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. • There are some umbrella/support organisations and networks who have carnival as part of their brief and are keen to support carnival: Outdoor Arts UK, EMCCAN, Without Walls. Unfortunately, Caribbean carnival arts sector have problems trusting organisation who have little BAME representation, interaction to represent or support them and as a result they lose out on opportunities and support. • Whilst there isn’t a body that deals in sector issues such as how much artists can be paid or where to get particular material, Global Carnivalz deals with these via enquiry calls every week. Unfortunately, the organisation has limited resources and staffing as it is not revenue funded currently. • Potentially the UK carnival arts sector is shrinking with lack of investment and reduction in events as local authority funding has decreased in the sector since 2008 and health & safety costs have spiraled- there is strength in evidencing this and creating one voice. • There is a potential issue of transition and continuation for many UK carnivals as founder members retire with few opportunities for career progression for the next generation or talent development in the sector. • Global Carnivalz has a strong track record in hosting sector conversations through national conferences and networking and believe these are areas the Guild could explore. • There is no specific trade union for the sector which assists carnivalists with guidelines on fees, product costs or members’ welfare compared to other sectors such as music, theatre and TV. • Carnival covers most of the national curriculum in schools but the amount of carnivalists who work in schools is limited compared to other art forms. All the above triggered Global Carnivalz to set up the National Carnival Organisors Guild involving interested carnival organisors for the future and survival of Carnival arts in the UK. This will be a national body that looks after and support development of the artforms in the sector addressing any sector pressing issues where possible.
Aims of the Guild • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
get the sector to speak with one voice collectively support the carnival sector i.e. organisations and artists assist development of a carnival artists’ network where needed advocate for UK carnivals in Europe and where possible internationally represent members in securing commissions and collaborations fundraise for national carnival projects which improve the sector capacity, touring and creation lobby institutions, funders and the government where support is needed, establish lasting relations with the related arts, cultural and education sector hosting of annual regional carnival discussions and annual 3-day conference support or initiate Carnival sector symposiums, conferences and trade fairs represent the sector at trade fairs and corporate events share resources, artists and information point of contact for national carnivals create subgroups for areas of interest for the sector
Benefits of Guild Membership Members will benefit from; • being part of a respected national carnival body • getting information and updates on funding and sponsorship, • maintenance of production standards and event management • avoiding unnecessary competition with each other • speaking with one voice • support in securing commissions and collaborations • be part of national projects which improve the sector • be part of sector conversations • sharing of resources and information • access to a database of suppliers, artists and funders • lobbying to gain support from your local authority and stakeholders • listed in the guild’s UK carnival guide
Membership Membership is strictly for individuals who are responsible for organising carnival in the country. To be a member there will be an application process to prove that the potential applicant has organised carnivals for more than two years in UK. Unless negotiated before hand, only one member from a Carnival can represent their group as a member or at Guild meetings. There will be a members’ accreditation and designed benefits which will make it worthwhile for organisors to join the guild.
Guild Management The Guild is part of Global Carnivalz projects aimed at developing and nurturing the carnival sector in the country linking with its global carnival networks and organisors. Global Carnivalz will fundraise for a team to work on the Guild activities and gatherings. Using Global Carnivalz expertise and resources, the Guild will host regional symposiums, conferences and an annual 3-day conference allowing the sector to network and address issues relating to the delivery of UK carnivals. Guild Director Pax Nindi FRSA Email; pnindi@yahoo.com
Guild Executive Officer Sherrell Davenport Email: sherrelldavenport@hotmail.co.uk
Global Carnivalz Limited 71 – 75 Shelton Street London WC2H 9JQ