In Response To Fiona Carr's Hands On Our Arts By Esther Windsor

I am writing in response to Fiona Carr's recent article Hands On Our Arts in the Opinions section of thisisull.com : /opinions/1605225053_fionacarr.html to say that Hull Time Based Arts is alive and well. In the article discussing funding of art and cultural services in Hull she says 'We have seen the collapse of Hull Art Lab, we saw Hull Time Based Arts closed down for perceived misdemeanours, and various other groups struggle on a knife edge.'

Hull Time Based Arts has been rebuilding itself after significant financial problems in the past leading to temporary ceasing of activity. It is now operating on a smaller scale than previously and is being supported by the Arts Council and Hull City Council, under the direction of an excellent board and new Artistic Director.

Hull Time Based Arts will be taking part in Wilberforce celebrations and running a web gallery with a programme of events in Hull, bringing new art and artists to Hull and profiling Hull and Hull arts in national and international collaborations. Hull Time Based Arts has had excellent support from Hull City Council and its Arts Officers, like Paul Holloway and Sam Somerfield, and hopes to continue this relationship. I therefore share concerns about the future and funding of art in Hull at a time when there is wide political recognition of arts crucial role in communities, health, education, even housing and economic regeneration.

I recently attended a conference at the Hayward Gallery, where a senior Arts Officer, who had visited Hull during Illuminate, praised Hull's art activities, operating outside theatres and museums, as 'model'.

Hull Time Based Arts recently contributed to Illuminate, held across Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, York and Hull with commissions from internationally acclaimed artists to celebrate cultural icons of Hull. Cedric Christie's 'pimped up' car bearing names of noted Hull individuals, Jessica Voorsanger's 'Heroes of Hull' posters and postcards, Gavin Turk's iconic Jackson's carrier bag art multiples, Freee's film commenting on the public's voice starring Hull comic Norman Collier, Bob and Roberta Smith's 'I Believe...' sign and Troika's text message projections all on icons, be they legendary historical figures, media celebrities or heroes from everyday life.

I would like to also take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Artistic Director and hope you will visit out website, join our mailing list and come to our events. I'd also welcome collaborations with local arts professionals and practitioners in building our activities again. Hull Time Based Arts is proud to be part of Hull's art history and looks forward to being part of the future. I look forward to hearing from and seeing you at Hull Time Based Arts.

Esther Windsor Artistic Director Hull Time Based Arts Bond 31 42 High Street Hull HU1 1PS Email esther.windsor@hulltimebasedart.co.uk. Tel +44 (0)1482 307070 www.hulltimebasedart.co.uk www.myspace.com/hulltimebasedarts

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