I guess we're pretty lucky in Scotland at the moment as the development of Scottish arts, talent, production and exposure was a huge part of the SNP manifesto.

I'm performing at Tease and Cake later on this month, and I'm fascinated to see what sort of crowd comes out!

It always amazes me how different councils and governments can be towards the arts; I was really lucky to work in Europe where I was just blown away by the value arts is held in educational enviroments.

I know the UK is going the same way, but alot of the time the fight is with the parents and that just doesn't seem to be an issue in Europe.

My local council is pretty much closing us down whereas down the A19 in tees valley they are screaming out for projects like us. I don't want to move but what can we do?? I've been striving for arts management apprenticeships here and again in tees valley they are struggling to fill places... wish i could drive

anyway, small diversion apologies

xx

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www.frayedknot.org.uk
http://www.myspace.com/ameliesoleil

Thanks for the advice ladies normally when it happens if I hit back its there but not this time its odd Safari does not keep me signed in very long but kicks me off. Firefox keeps me signed in but will not fix my spelling. I might try the word thing.
I am off to London today for the IBS so will be hear for calls tomorrow or I will attempt to post on this again then.
Diva x

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Diva Hollywood - http://www.myspace.com/divahollywood

A very interesting topic!

For me personally, being a performer has really kick-started the other creative areas of my life - namely illustrating/designing and writing. As Beatrix says, organisation is key and I am not normally an organised person, but striving to be as professional as I can be has meant that I've had to learn to be super-organised, making sure that invoices are correctly set up, routines are properly worked out, tracks working, timetables, meetings etc etc. This has meant that I have been able to transfer some of that professional discipline into the other creative areas and move them onto another level. Also, for me burlesque has just really helped to make me realise that I can make a living creatively (Though I'm not quite there yet!) if I put in the work and really go for it. Prior to performing I was very good at coming up with excuses for why I was working 9-5 in jobs I hated and not pursuing my creative dreams, but now I'm ready to give it everything I can.

In terms of accesibility, I have to say that the burlesque scene has been incredibly open to me. This actually rather suprised me as a male performer which is obviously slightly unusual in modern burlesque and there is always the slight worry that audiences that aren't expecting a male won't quite 'get it' but both audiences, fellow performers and promoters have been hugely supportive ever since I started performing.

As for whether or not burlesque is considered creative in and of itself I have to say absolutely. The process that goes into creating a routine is no different to creating a piece of theatre - in fact it is a piece of theatre. There are costumes to be designed and made, a story to be worked out and a character to be created - an awareness of audience etc etc. Of course I know it's not depp and life-changing art, but it is a valid creative art nonetheless and even the most frivolous and 'silly' act will have had serious though go into it, as well as the professional skills applied to pull it off.

I look forward to hearing more views!

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