What Happens if we Lose: Speed Limit by Richard Masoner/Cyclelicious, www.flickr.com/photos/bike/4454230687

In the “Give Away” section of the Autumn Statement late last November, the Chancellor announced that £100m would be available to create 100Mbps urban networks in 10 cities. The four “capital” cities (London, Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh) are automatically on the list. Although presumably Edinburgh’s position is not as secure as it was. As the current and previous governments like to do, they are running a competition for the other six places. There is background information on Digitalspy and the BBC News site.

We are lucky that Adam Bird, of Esendex and Creative Class 2011 is involved in Nottingham’s bid. A bid which has to be in by 13 February since the winners will be announced in the budget just over a month later.

Adam has asked for help in convincing Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, that Nottingham should be fill one of the six empty places on the list. In particular Adam has asked:

1. [for] Your horror stories about getting decent Internet connectivity to allow you to run your business. How is current market failing you?

2. How can we convince @Jeremy_Hunt that Nottingham should be a beneficiary of this program outside of the formal proposal process

Adam (@adambird) tweeted: “please @, DM or email me (adam dot bird at esendex dot com) with any case studies, thoughts, suggestions or offers of help”.  He has suggested the hashtag #supernottingham.

So over to you, Nottingham Creatives. Speed Thrills!

Congratulations go to Ben Hennessey, a 3rd year graphic design student at Nottingham Trent University who won 1st prize in the “stop-motion” category in a national competition for Channel 4 and Red Bull. He will be joining Aardman, of Wallace and Gromit fame, for a month long placement for his prize.

His winning animation has already been screened on Channel 4 and can be found here.

Ben commented: “I wanted to use a character that relates to Red Bull as a brand and after reading that squirrels get a big adrenaline rush from dogs chasing them up trees I thought they were ideal to base my film on.

“I entered the competition as I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to work with one of the world’s best animation companiesand I cannot wait to be working with Aardman. I know it’s going to be life changing and an amazing experience.”

“The rest of my idea came about by taking the can apart. Looking at each section of the can I thought about what I could turn it into. When I saw the curved sheet of metal I instantly thought about skateboarding and knew that Red Bull works with skateboarders so thought it would fit in perfectly with the brand.”

The inaugural Red Bull Canimation competition was a nationwide search for new creative talent, offering student and non-professional animators the chance to win internships at top animation studios Aardman, The Mill and 12foot6 among other prizes. The only rule was that the iconic blue and silver Red Bull can took centre stage.

Well done Ben – clearly a talent to watch out for!

It’s January again, which, for Nottingham, means one thing – New Adventures in Web Design.

NAIWD (as I like to call it) is a two day conference starting tomorrow, Wednesday 18th Jan, focused on the art of web design. It’s a big deal – developers and designers will be descending on Nottingham from all over the UK and beyond, full of ideas to discuss and explore. Who knows, we may even see the Next Big Thing™ from conversations started here.

Unfortunately, the conference itself has long since sold out, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get involved with the programme. If you have a spare £150 in your pocket, you can get down to one of the workshops – where you can learn from luminaries who have created sites such as these. Alternatively, enjoy the ‘after hours’ entertainment – bowling, football, real ale (mmm) and a big ol’ party at Escucha.

So if you do get involved, let us know what’s going down, and see if you can spot Creative Nottingham’s resident beard, John-with-Beard, who will be getting stuck in…

First up, the Build it Yourself project are holding a Creative Cafe at Antenna on 19 January. A regular event on the third Thursday of the month, January’s event is free to attend. Starting at 5.30 for 6pm, it’s a chance to let yourself go a bit (in the best possible sense) and get all creative… Tickets and details available via Eventbrite.

The very next day Skeleton Productions are holding a lunchtime webinar on video SEO best practice and how to implement it. Topics will cover what, why and how as well as top tips. Limited place so get in there by applying at this website.

Diary clashes on 27 January so you’ll have to make a choice between Esendex and the Tuttle Club’s Technology on Trial.

Esendex have a breakfast briefing on Business SMS. Running from 8.30-10am, you can get some breakfast (any chance of a bacon buttie?)  and the lowdown on how successful businesses like Ocado and Virgin Media are using SMS to transform their business and how you can too.Details, including venue and how to book, can be found on their website.

If that’s not your thing, you might like to head over to the Galleries of Justice for this month’s Technology on Trial. Have you thought about what will happen to all your online accounts when you die? (I know, not too cheerful but stay with me – it’s important) Tech on Trial this month will be examining Digital Legacies. So what will you leave behind? And will this be used (or even usable) for future generations of historians? Interesting…

27 January, 9.30-11.30am Galleries of Justice. Free Tickets through Event Brite.

Finally, if a massive sugar rush is your thing, get yourself in the Cake Eater’s Anonymous waiting list. The next meeting is 29th January at The Larder on Goosegate and tickets are available to the waiting list from tomorrow!!!

Milan Cathedral, by brookcatherine53, www.flickr.com/photos/53995058@N04/4997801074/

Just two opportunities this week, to ease you into 2012:

The Invest in Nottingham Club is repeating their Creative Class promotion of local creative businesses who really want to grow.  A small number of creative businesses will be selected for the Creative Class 2012.  As well as press and website promotion, there is mentoring support, networking and general help. In return they expect the business leaders to fully participate in their press opportunties and generally act as an ambassador for Nottingham.

The “class” of 2011 is a distinguished list, and you can see them at a special meeting in Nottingham Contemporary next Wednesday, 11 January at 6pm, and learn more about this opportunity.  For more information about the event or any questions, email Natalie Williams, the Invest in Nottingham Club co-ordinator at nw@nde.org.uk.  Or you could just apply online.

If you inspect the list of 2011, you will see it contains one of our guest bloggers, Susi Henson, of Eternal Spirits, who has emailed us about her plans to

to launch an inspiring show of creative talent at the International Design Festival Milan in April 2012. We are inviting local businesses of Nottinghamshire an opportunity to be part of it.

As well as enabling talented businesses and individuals to show themselves to their best in front of potential clients and stakeholders, the process will bring together a collaboration of like-minded and inspiring individuals to work together, share ideas and gain refreshment.

If you want to know more, there is a meeting at Nottingham University, Business School South, Jubilee Campus Room A26 on Wednesday 11th Jan at 6pm.  [Everything happens at 6pm next Wednesday, and some people will be in two places at once, apparently.] They would appreciate an R.S.V.P to info@davenportoriginal.com if you are planning to attend.

Go For It!

Why not make a few creative resolutions you can easily keep? Here’s a links line up to get you creatively connected in 2012.

Firstly make sure you’re signed up to get info from us  http://www.creativenottingham.com/contact-us/ and let us know what you’re up to so we can tell the world!

Then take your pick from my quick list below and get subscribing! Or better still add some that you know in the comments and let’s build a bigger better list together!

Arts Council England’s Arts News/Arts Jobs http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/ does what it says on the tin!

Need  resources, offers and events for an enterprise you run or want to set up? http://www.startupbritain.org/

Running a creative business in Notts? Join The Creative Greenhouse Network  http://www.creativegreenhouse.org.uk/

You’ve heard of Antenna by now? If you aren’t a member make sure to join up in 2012 for access to great events plus fab food and drinks  http://www.antenna.uk.com

Designer? You need to know what the designer forum are up to http://www.emtex.org.uk

Designer/Maker? http://www.designfactory.org.uk/

Sign up to professional network linkedin http://www.linkedin.com there’s loads of groups and discussions going on from Open Studios to Business Barometers … or start your own

If you are running a creative business join

Sneinton Square from a distance (Sunset from space over western Europe/Africa by Nick Stenning www.flickr.com/photos/nickstenning/7379770/)

If you walk from the centre of Nottingham to Hackspace, which you may have done after our recent guest blogs, you will have had to circumnavigate the physical space that is the building site that is Sneinton Square and the about to be revamped Market. To market the opening, a series of apple trees are being planted in the Square, and there are a number of events around the Orchard theme to mark this. Including some cider drinking. There are two days of multiple events, Friday, 9 December at Nottingham Contemporary and at Surface Gallery, and Saturday, 10 December in the Market itself.

Big Money, Big Organisation, Big Space: The Arts Council and the BBC are going to work in partnership next year to create an “experimental digital arts media service and commissioning programme”. Public in May, running (subtle Olympic reference) until the end of October, they say it will be a

pop up service – which will be available across PC, mobile, tablet and connected TV – will challenge artists and arts and cultural organisations to collaborate with each other and with partners to capture and create a wealth of cultural experiences, drawing on the richness of the summer of arts [of the Olympics, natch]

The main site and links are here. They say that they welcome expressions of interest (by 9 December) in how to spend £2.5 million, and they will offer mentoring to successful applicants. Unfortunately being big and corporate, they want applicants to be at least small and corporate, they say

The fund is open to arts and cultural organisations, large and small. Museums and libraries can also apply for work that is primarily arts focused. Artists can apply but must do so in partnership with a lead organisation. We welcome partnerships and collaborations between arts organisations and independent production companies or digital media specialists, but in these cases, the arts organisation must also be the lead partner.

So if that describes you, or you have a relationship with an arts organisation, full details are on the funding page.

From big space to perfectly formed small space: the Surface Gallery will be doing an International Postcard Show again in 2012. It costs £5 for you to enter up to three postcards, and all postcards in the show will be on offer at £15 (and they will want a 20% commission on sales).  Deadline for submissions is 15 January, and they warn you to take account of postal delays (groan).

Who are you?

Kate Ferrucci, owner and creative director of Quarto Design, based in Beeston, Notts. I’m originally from the USA. Prior to living in Nottingham, I worked as a designer for a communications agency in Rome and at an Italian publishing house. I’m owner and creative director of Quarto Design, and design a wide variety of publications and printed literature for organisations and businesses around the world.

What brought you to Nottingham?

I’m originally from the States, lived in Italy for three years, and came to Nottingham two years ago with my partner who works at the University of Nottingham.

What keeps you in Nottingham?

Nottingham is relatively small but there is always something interesting going on. There is definitely a sense of community among creatives, which is nice to see and promotes collaboration. The city’s small scale makes it feels comfortable and it’s more vibrant than many other and even larger cities in the UK. Its central location makes it a perfect base from which to explore the rest of the country, and it’s nice to have a few international airports in close proximity.

What makes you different to other creative people in Nottingham?

My background is in graphic design, with a specialism in book and publication design. I enjoy working on a project from beginning to end – from conceptualisation, to design and layout, to fine tuning every serif and kern. Being a small business, it’s possible and necessary to see each job through from beginning to end, and it’s fulfilling to do so.

Every year, Quarto organises and designs a large-scale fundraising project. The projects are unique and are to benefit a different charity each year. This year’s project is called “Thinking of Homeland Japan” and benefits the Japanese Red Cross.

In late March 2011, I was scheduled to go to Japan on holiday just a few days after the tragic earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster struck Japan. The scale of the destruction is still unfathomable. A friend and I decided to organise an international art collaboration and invited twenty Japanese artists who live outside of Japan to participate, each of whom created an original work of art. All twenty artworks were reproduced as a set in a limited edition with the assistance of generous sponsors Antalis McNaughton and Apex Digital Graphics, and each set comes with an elegant wood frame designed by Quarto: http://thinkingofhomeland.wordpress.com/the-prints/.

Quarto is also is in the process of launching a new publication called Handwork that features people in the local community who work with their hands. It’s based on oral history interviews – talking with people about what they do and what led them to pursue their particular trade or line of work. The first issue will be published in early 2012.

As part of my other business, People to People Press, I’ve published two artists’ books, each letterpress-printed and hand-bound in a limited edition of fifty copies, based on oral history interviews with people who work with their hands (musicians and limestone quarry and mill workers), and am currently working on a third.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

In five years time, I’d like my business to be stronger and to be working with clients whose work is primarily focused on aspects of social and environmental responsibility, while still pursing pro bono work for good causes.

What do you wish you had more time for?

More collaborations with other creatives, both locally and internationally.

What keeps you awake at night?

Not very much.

What do you think is Nottingham’s best kept secret?

I love the Alley Café, which a good friend recently introduced me to and I’ve gone back to many times since. It’s an oasis in the middle of Nottingham and the food is amazing. The many alleyways and twitchells in Nottingham are full of hidden surprises like this!

Antenna is a thriving creative hub that I found out about this year and also where I’ve met many other like-minded creatives doing interesting things. I’m looking forward to being an active part of Antenna’s community in the new year.

What would you like to see more of in Nottingham?

Less bars and more cultural venues. It would be wonderful if there were a working museum or other place in the city centre where information about and machinery utilised in industries that played (and, in some cases, that continue to play) an important role in Nottingham’s rich heritage could be displayed such as lace-making, framework knitting and bicycle manufacturing, to name just a few.

The Lace Centre, once located in the 15^th-century Severns Building across from Nottingham Castle, closed in 2009 – shortly before I arrived, and the Industrial Museum at Wollaton Hall always seems to be closed. A centrally-located venue where information about this and other industries is made available would certainly be of interest to residents and visitors alike (as well as a place to buy locally-made lace and other products, beyond the few products on offer at the Nottingham Visitors Centre) and would draw more tourists to the city. A showing of Jeanie Finlay’s excellent documentary on Cluny Lace at Nottingham Contemporary several months ago and discussion afterwards noted the need for apprentices to keep the industry going locally and to pass knowledge on from one generation to the next. The lack of interest by young people may be a result of not knowing about the industry.

GH Hurt & Son is just down the road from where I live and I popped in during a recent Heritage Open Day a few months ago. The family-owned business established in 1912 produces gorgeous hand-finished scarves and shawls. Their hand frames are still in use and a demonstration by a young skilled worker revealed the great dexterity required to operate this complex machine, developed through an apprenticeship. The attendance at the event was high, with a queue virtually out the door, so there is certainly interest in knowing more about this and other local industries that are now on the fringe.

What Big thing are you currently working on?

Thinking of Homeland Japan, which you can read more about at: www.thinkingofhomeland.wordpress.com/about/. It makes a beautiful and unique Christmas present! And most importantly, all profits go the Japanese Red Cross.

Also, a journal for a UN agency based in Rome.

You can find out more about Kate and Quarto Design at:

Website: www.quartodesign.com

Facebook: Quarto Design www.facebook/quartodesign

Twitter: quarto_design

and about Thinking of Homeland Japan at:

Website: www.thinkingofhomeland.wordpress.com

Facebook: Thinking of Homeland Japan www.facebook/thinkingofhomeland

• World Event Young Artists @WEYA2012
• Jon Burgerman @JonBurgerman
• The Music Exchange @themusicXchange
• Swimming @weareswimming
• Keith Cosgrove http://www.stonebridgecityfarm.com/

Regular followers of games, in and out of GameCity, will remember our post about Ping (But) Pong. If that got you going, get down to Show and Tell on Thursday for

• International Wrong Pong Association http://www.wrongpong.com

Broadway will be t will be buzzing on Thursday night, and not just because of Keith Cosgrove.

(Thanks to our friends at LeftLion who tipped us off, their article is worth a read, as always.)

Emma is pretty handy with hairstyling but we needed specialists in for the open day, and called upon our friends Heebie Gee Bees, from Newcastle. Having been long time friends of Emma’s and super talented and enthusiastic ladies, we couldn’t wait to have them on board with us for the day. What’s even better is that as both of them have vast knowledge and experience of modelling and performing, they could also bring their skills to the dressing table in regards to styling, posing and general confidence. All round win, I’d say!

We also brought in Aislinn from BooBooKitty Couture,. She set herself up a rail of gorgeous dresses, her dolly Doris and brought her sewing along to make some last minute bits and pieces for a craft fair later in the evening; she really never stops working!

We had some early starts and late nights (including a craft fare/Speedkings gig to attend on Saturday night!), some tears from girls who couldn’t believe their makeovers, cuddles, lots of high fives, energy drinks, cookies, snuggies on radiators, cupcakes from Amy (hell yeah!), endless cups of tea (Hannah is brilliant), goodie bags, ratties, girls celebrating birthdays and divorces, and some that just wanted to feel good about themselves! Here’s a little selection of the behind the scenes photos we gathered.

So to a few thank yous; BooBooKitty Couture, Heebie Gee Bees, Toby Kennedy, Make Up Academy, Arcanum Accessories, Synergy Therapies, Rampant Ink, Deadly is the Female, Rockalily, Hoocie Coochie Club, Miss Fortune and Snitches Get Stitches!

Days like that are a precious rarity to me; when you’re going flat out but smiling and laughing the whole while, each person bringing their own special technique, style and brilliance to the table. Your back might ache, your shoulder might be creaking and your feet’ll be on fire but nothing compares to the smile (and sometime, tears!) of a girl who beams from ear to ear when they see themselves made up. It’s my dream to do this full time, and weekends like this motivate me to work harder to make it real…