EMVAN as the network created to support the visual arts network in the East Midlands is very keen to understand how the visual arts sector feels about the decisions and to understand better how the sector feels about the future.

Northamptonshire Chamber offers a comprehensive training programme of relevant and cost effective courses, which are delivered in the county.

The University’s soon to be appointed Social Entrepreneur in Residence for Corby will adopt the library at Danesholme as a local base, extending both the Council’s library services availability and the University’s successful Enterprise Coaching scheme to local residents.

Jayne West, a Northampton-based photographer, was recently awarded a Creative Northants Development Bursary to attend 'Right Here, Right Now' Exposures from the public realm at www.formatfestival.com. Read about her experiences here...

Sky is to expand further its support for the arts in the UK and Ireland with the launch of a major new programme to support new arts projects and emerging artists. The programme involves the creation of a new arts fund, Sky Arts Ignition, with two distinct and complementary strands: The Sky Arts Ignition Series and Sky Arts Ignition Futures Fund

On Monday, the Cabinet Office outlined proposals for the Big Society Bank. It is hoped that the bank would act as a first port of call for social enterprise groups who are looking for capital funding. It is envisaged that funds from the Big Society Bank could be used to tackle to pressing social issues such as reducing homelessness and supporting vulnerable people.

Last week Morag met with Sharon and Peter from the university's Enterprise Club. They work to supoport start-up and small businesses and social enterprises across the county and have a range of great schemes to help businesses grow.

Last week we had a wonderful workshop on motivation and time management led by Mark McGuinness. If you missed it here's links to Mark's e-books, blogs and other websites he recommends.

Thanks to a Business Development Bursary from Creative Northants, Jessica from Festive Road is undertaking a series of visits to arts companies, organisations and festivals across the country. She'll be blogging about her experiences here so make sure that you check it out.

Northants County Council are leading on a funding bid to rollout superfast broadband across the entire county over the next 6 years.