What is the Frome Creative Network?

Frome, in Somerset, has one of the largest concentrations of people involved in the creative industries, outside Bristol, in the South West.

Our vision is to bring together individuals and groups with an active interest in all art forms in and provide a resource which will enhance and support a vibrant and inclusive creative network.

How FCN started and our initial aims

Between July and December 2006 the creative community of Frome were invited to attend four open public meetings to discuss the development of a creative network for Frome.

The primary aims and objectives of FCN drawn from the discussions at the public meetings are as follows:

• To establish a non-selective member led network to facilitate connections between individual artists, creative groups and the wider community.
• To add value to the work of artists, arts organisations and public agencies delivering education, social and economic objectives in and around Frome.
• To give opportunities to the local creative industries for positive dialogue leading to increased production and economic activity.

What is the FCN Interim Steering Group?

Following the public meetings a voluntary Interim Steering Group (ISG) was appointed to establish the Frome Creative Network. The ISG will operate for around 6 months, and once the Network is in place, this Interim Steering Group will disband and the first ongoing Steering Group will be elected.

The remit of the ISG is to set up the Frome Creative Network. This includes researching funding applications, investigating web sites and continuing liaison with all other participants. The Interim Group is considering issues such as – should there be a formal membership, how can the network earn its own income and perhaps call the first conference when funding has been achieved.

As of 2nd February 2007 the Interim Steering Group activities have included the following:

• Established a Google Group which enables the ISG to communicate to the 96 members who provided their email address during the public meetings. The Group is accessible online for members to see ISG contact details, archived communication and relevant FCN files at:
  http://groups.google.com/group/ fromecreativenetwork .
• Conducted two meetings. The first one was held on 12/12/06 and the next one 18/01/07.
  Agendas & Minutes are available via the Google Group.
• Networked with other artists at the new Informal Artist Café (17/01/07) at Christies Wine Bar in Frome. This is now a monthly event - held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month.
• Registered the domain www.fromecreativenetwork.co.uk on behalf of FCN.
• Met with Tony Shepherd of Mendip Community Support for advice on company formation.
• Researched various business structure options, analysis of other UK artist network models & possible sources funding.
• Had preliminary discussions about membership structure, development of an FCN artist directory, FCN website development (including CMS options for community websites), and possible opportunities for self funding.

Contact the FCN Interm Steering Group

If you would like get in touch with us or wish to become a member of the FCN Google Group
please email: info@fromecreativenetwork.co.uk