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INTRODUCTION

This case study investigates the service of Roche Court Educational Trust, located at the New Art Centre & Sculpture Park in Wiltshire and forms part of the MA Cross Sectoral & Community Arts. The research has focused on analysing the educational service in particular, on it's position within the development of community arts practice, a consideration of the audience, the organisations aims and how these fit in with broader debates in this sector. Through a combination of video, text and imagery I hope to present a thorough analysis of the service, it’s mission, it’s strengths and challenges, and offer some notes and suggestions to conclude.

CONTENTS MAP

Introduction
1 History, Context & Mission
2 Funding: Limits & Benefits
3 Practice & Audience
4 People & Processes
5 Value & Standards
6 Strategic Positioning & Analysis
Conclusion
References
Appendix [Hard copies attached]

OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The Roche Court Educational Trust works within and is run by the New Art Centre & Sculpture Park, a large house and park showing and selling sculpture and other artworks to dealers, individuals and museums.

While it can be considered a traditional arts setting, I would argue that as a rural park, with free entry, very little invigilation, and no labels or descriptions it presents itself as a very open, community like space. This however does not take away from the fact that the space is a private residence and business and it's first and foremost aim is to sell work, therefore maintenance and security of work is of great importance, as is strict opening hours and other rules. I would like to investigate Roche Court by considering the area between the boundaries of community, public and private sectors. The example presents a difficulty with assigning it one or the other which has helped to provide interesting investigation. I will consider the aims for the trust to act as a community arts educational venue and to engage with, through outreach work, communities who may not otherwise visit the venue, due to it's isolated location.

Through research for this study I have encountered some interesting issues regarding funding for commercial versus public organisations, measuring value and success and the requirements of large funding bodies, audience development and it’s real value rather than it’s presumed and/or expected value. I have engaged in discussion over what actually is valuable in arts educational and community work and what has become ‘standards’ that must be reached by funding bodies with little regard for actual quality or what it consists of in actuality.

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