Issue 7: The Slightly Reduced Issue

It’s a real shame that I seem to have to spend all my time talking about campaigning when I would much prefer to talk about art, and the fantastic talent that we are able to showcase both here in the magazine, and also on our website www.breakthroughmhart.com , but it’s a fact that if we don’t all do what we can to raise the profile of the arts in health up the agenda funding will continue to be cut, and opportunities limited still further for both individuals and organisations working in the field.

Unfortunately, we know this from personal experience with our funding support being reduced at an alarming rate, although ironically we are receiving more art than ever before, proving the need for both the magazine and the website to continue. Those organisations that are no longer supporting us say it is because of the cuts they are having to make across their services, which is all a bit of a mystery as the politicians are still saying that there will be no cuts to front line services...Oh well perhaps the new Government will put the arts and culture back up the agenda. Only time will tell.

Talking of which, since our last issue Ed Vaizey has now been made Arts and Culture Minister, which in our humble opinion can only be good for those of us working in the arts and health, as he seems to be a thoroughly good bloke who wants to work with ‘real people’.

Anyway, back to this issue, we always think that the most recent one is the best, and Issue 7 is no exception, although sadly because of the cuts we have had to reduce by four pages, nevertheless we welcome a number of new artists. Somebody once asked what is ‘good’ art, well we know from wandering around the TATE recently, much of the art we feature wouldn’t look out of place there. In our opinion, art is good if it evokes feeling and holds your attention, such as the picture that Dr Gillian Fairfield describes on page 18.

We are constantly aware at Breakthrough that our focus has been on the visual arts. However, we do fully intend at some stage, as soon as funding is available of staging some performing arts events, so if there is anyone out there, performers, poets, singers, comedians, musicians or backstage help who would like to get involved, we would love to hear from you.

We would like to thank all of you for continuing to send us your art, photography, poetry and good news stories in such increasing numbers – we now have over a hundred artists/ photographer and poets featured on our website. Sometimes I wish I could win the Lottery and make sure that we could showcase all of the fantastic talent that is out there, as well as buying all the pictures I like and exhibiting them in a gallery......

Tony Russell - Editor

Oh and by the way we are about to launch a brand new website in partnership with the NHS North West featuring positive practice from across the whole of the region from the NHS, local authorities and third sector. Anyone can nominate a service or project they think should be included whether they work in the service or use it. Please visit www.positivepracticeinmh.com for further information.