Testimonials
AFTER THE EVENT - private recognition of ATC’s work in the sector
ATC rarely distributes glossy publicity, preferring to market its wide range of services via advice surgeries, Training Needs Analysis, and word of mouth within the sector.
Unfortunately this can lead some people, especially newcomers to the sector, to confuse a discreet operation with a lack of activity.
Here, for the first time, ATC opens its own private correspondence files to show that whilst the organisation doesn’t swamp the sector with high profile claims and promises, it certainly leaves a lasting impression on the many people it has worked with over the years.
Thank you for being so great to work with, a haven of good sense in a sea of madness, and a source of ideas and inspiration. We’ve managed to do some good things really, haven’t we? I’ve really enjoyed those bits.
Arts Council Officer, East Midlands
What an amazing event! I sat on the train thinking of all the ways I could say thank you. You have been amazing to work with – so professional, so easy and so pleasant.
Arts Council Director, National Office
In all my interactions with ATC, I've been impressed with the way they combine an informal and friendly manner - important in the creative industries - with efficiency and professionalism when it comes to getting the job done.
Consultant and Lecturer, Derbyshire
ATC have been a great support as I have endeavored to establish my new business. The team have been happy to listen to my ideas, give me feedback, ask a few tricky questions, offer encouragement and provide lots of useful contacts.
Arts Company Director, East Midlands
As someone who has recently been appointed to a new post in Leicester, Arts Training Central has proved to be very helpful in many ways. From providing useful signposting to events and artists relevant to my work, offering an excellent sounding board for ideas or issues and providing a professional but welcoming space to holding meetings their support has been invaluable. .Arts Training central is staffed by a friendly, welcoming and warm team of people who make it easy to ask for help.
Arts Development Worker, Leicestershire
A very special thank you …..to all the staff at ATC who have given the band and I such endless encouragement and support.
Singer/Band Leader, Leicestershire
Thank you for the extremely valuable consultation meeting we had with you. We have been working on the development of our business plan since and found your advice very helpful in guiding us through the process.
Theatre Company, Derbyshire
Many thanks again for your invaluable assistance and support. I’m grateful for having had the benefit of your experience in the area of change management generally, and in organizing and running the away-day.
Arts Venue Manager, Leicestershire
One of the best things I’ve done in the last ten years was to get in touch with ATC.
Artistic Director, Theatre Company, East Midlands
I just wanted to thank you formally for all the help, support and work which ATC carried out (unpaid for the most part) in helping us pilot the (course programme). Your suggestions and expertise were invaluable.
Arts Council Officer, East Midlands
Thank you so much for your time last week. I found it invaluable in helping us to develop our mentoring scheme.
Executive Officer, Artists Workspace
(We) learned a lot from (your advisor) and we will be following through on his recommendations regarding preparing for a HLF visit and subsequent bid for funding. Although our museum has been running for 20 years it is very much as it always was. By undertaking this development programme, a project which none of the existing Directors has any experience of, we will be bring into use dilapidated out buildings to make more display space. You will see that we need as much guidance as is available.
Chair of Trustees, Independent Museum
Just a quick note to congratulate you on your excellent service! I came to Arts Training Central for the first time for a meeting and was provided with a warm welcome, tour of the building and hot drinks. It is not often that one is provided with such a positive experience, and I found Arts Training Central a well-equipped, efficient and lovely environment. Keep up the good work – this is just what Leicester needs!
Arts Development Officer, Leicestershire
Thanks for yesterday. Your advice and expertise is invaluable, glad you could share some with me.
University Researcher, Derbyshire
Without ATC’s support this company would probably not exist today.
Media Organisation, East Midlands
Thank you for looking after us so much whilst we were at 16 New Street; a memorable time for various reasons! I can’t really believe how much we have developed as an organisation since we moved into ATC…if we hadn’t moved into the office when we did I can honestly say I’m not sure we’d be around today….All that support, together with general day-to-day help and support was the perfect environment for us to deliver our development plan.
Director, Arts Company (former ArtStart residential client)
Thank you for your kindness and open-heartedness in allowing me to use ATC’s facilities.
Freelance Artist, Nottinghamshire
I just wanted to say thanks for doing such a good job with facilitating yesterday’s seminar. We were really pleased with the way it went and you did a very skillful and energetic job – so thanks!
Cultural Strategy Manager, Local Authority
I am writing to thank you for your lively contribution to our training programme. The feedback was very positive. Participants found the day extremely useful; they very much appreciated your presentation.
Museums Development Officer, East Midlands
I have been extremely impressed by how ATC has developed as a regional agency during the last five years.
Arts Council Officer, East Midlands
Congratulations and thanks for having organised such a successful event – excellent organisation, a lot of giving, and a lot of people having a rewarding time.
Managing Director, Commercial Company
Just a note to say how useful and thought provoking I found the recent conference. I thought the design and delivery of the weekend reflected not only your absolute professionalism but also your appetite for enjoyment.
Arts Council Senior Officer
Thanks again for the care you took over the business plan…I shall be calling on your excellent support again.
Professor of Performing Arts, University.
Thank you for your excellent work. The awayday has been especially successful in engaging our directors more closely with the work of the consortium.
Administrator, Arts Marketing Consortium
Our staff retreat was a great success, due principally to the care and sensitivity with which you guided us through the day…an achievement which was applauded by everyone!
Chief Executive, Regional Arts Board
Thanks for the excellent surgery.
Director, Arts Centre
(The surgery session) confirmed some of our own thoughts and gave us lots of new ones to be getting one with.
Museum Worker, Lincolnshire
Thank you for last week, you made it the best meeting I have been to for a long time! If we can be of any assistance at any time please contact (me).
Curator, Independent Museum
My meeting with (your consultant) was extremely useful…Many thanks indeed.
Marketing Coordinator, Independent Museum
Thank you so much for your help.
House Administrator, Independent Museum
Thank you for those contact details. I found Tuesday's course interesting, and the speaker invigorating.
Museum Worker, Independent Museum
Your continual support in so many ways has been a huge help to me throughout this whole period – words cannot tell!
Arts Council Officer, National Office
As a professional artist and an advocator of the creative industries I have found, from personal experience, that the ATC provides invaluable support and a range of advisory services for creatives in need of quality professional development. I am genuinely excited by this proactive organisation which provides a no-nonsense approach to enabling others to fulfill and increase their creative prospects.
Freelance Artist, East Midlands
I owe it all to this scheme.
Writer, Derbyshire
Organisation, communication and support were all excellent.
Writer/tutor, East Midlands
Thank you very much for visiting us recently – it was marvelous meeting you at last…we are impressed with the package you presented and are keen to embrace it.
Curator, Independent Museum
Thanks for today. Believe me, it helped to reconfirm ideas and stuff.
Artist, East Midlands
Many thanks for the session – the students thought you were fantastic and so did I – you covered everything in a really clear way that I’m sure they will remember, so many thanks.
University Lecturer, Arts Management
Thank you so much for making our time at ATC so enjoyable. It was great being there and we will miss you.
Manager, Arts Company (former ArtStart residential client)
Thank you – you really have made a difference!
Arts Company (former ArtStart residential client)
ATC is a spark ground of ideas and discussion. It’s also a valuable list of friends, artists, and future possibilities.
Freelance Writer, Derbyshire
Just had to write to let you know how much I enjoyed the course last weekend. It was extremely well organised. I could not have wished for a better retreat – it was, in fact, a real treat.
Writer, Nottingham
Thank you so much for Thursday. It was lovely, as always, to see you. Very rejuvenating and helpful.
Artist/Arts Development Officer, Derbyshire
I wanted to take the opportunity to thank (ATC staff) for all the hard work you put in to make the retreat so successful. I always get worried about courses and the like, but as I said at the time, you made things run so smoothly.
Arts Council Officer
Just a brief note to say thank you for an excellent day yesterday. I found our discussions extremely helpful and I look forward to working with you in the future.
Administrator, Arts Development Agency.
Thanks to Headstart we worked with a member of the Social Research Association developing both our design research methodologies & our ‘good design for good people’ philosophy. Which we believe has significantly contributed to our most successful year to date.
Creative Business, Nottingham
It was good to see you again. Thanks for everything, especially your warmth in receiving us into the scheme.
Artist, Northamptonshire
Thank you for an interesting and informative seminar for mentors/mentees.
Artist, Derbyshire
(The mentoring scheme) has been a really special experience. I’ve learnt so much, been more inspired than for years, and supported enough….to let go into my work, to feel positive rather than fearful about the journey.
Writer, Derbyshire.
You did a brilliant job and I’ve heard nothing but good things about the conference.
Arts Practitioner
Thank you to all of you for your hard work and effort towards a brilliant conference.
Chief Executive, National Arts Agency.
This is just to say congratulations. You made it into a splendid event and I haven’t heard a word against it. Thank you for doing it, and doing it so well. Now have a rest!
University Lecturer, Conference Steering Group Member.
We were delighted with the advice and information you were able to provide at our meeting.
Director, Visual Arts Company
Everyone enjoyed the session immensely; I think they got a lot out of the day.
Training Officer, National Arts Project
What can I say; it was a pleasure to work with you both.
Arts Council Officer, Dublin
Thank you very much for inputting to our equal opportunities training. The programme opened up lots of debate for us and has given us lots to think about. We will be seeing the benefits throughout the next twelve months in terms of practical application to our work.
Director, Arts Company
Thank you for all the information you shared with me during the course of our meeting. It is very generous as well as helpful of you to do so.
Dancer
The business coaching aspect of the Headstart programme has given us guidance and support towards the future planning and business development of (our company) which has been relevant to our specific needs.
Theatre Company member, Derbyshire
Thank you so much for your excellent work on (our conference) – we couldn’t have managed without you. Your support both in the run up and on the day was exactly what we needed, and we really appreciated your flexibility when extra things needed doing.
Development Director, Literature Development Agency
It just remains to say how much I have enjoyed working on this project with you both. I have learnt a tremendous amount… Thank you very much for all your hard work.
Chief Officer, Dance Agency
Many thanks for your time, information and inspiration.
Artist, Derbyshire
The Headstart programme has given me the opportunity to have access to a creative mentor, which will give me great support towards future growth and development of (my company).
Creative Business, Derbyshire
Wow! I’m dead chuffed. You’re right – it needed someone else to look at it. Thanks very much for that, I really appreciate it. Thanks again for your time.
Arts Development Officer, Leicester.
I thought the event itself was excellent and I enjoyed reading (ATC’s) report.
Theatre Technician, (TNA participant)
The importance of sharing skills and working in a collaborative manner came over very clearly from your talk. I only hope we can build on your valuable comments and critical evaluation of the status quo to develop appropriate management training for the Cultural Heritage sector.
Director of University Business School/Conference Organiser
Thank you for organizing what I thought was an excellent conference – well organised, tightly planned and relevant seminars.
Arts Council Officer
I am writing to express our many thanks for all the time, support and help we have received leading up to (this years) festival.
Arts Festival Organiser, Leicestershire
Thank you for the meeting yesterday and your valuable help with ideas and contacts.
Theatre Qualifications Development Officer.
Thank you so much for the generous time you allowed when I visited your offices. Your advice was invaluable.
Artist, Leicestershire
Thanks very much for the hard work over the few days you were here. It is much appreciated. I can only hope we can aspire to your enthusiasm and commitment for getting training happening.
Production Manager, Performing Arts Training Institution.
We are constantly working to improve the venue space for both our artists and audiences and the Musician is currently being extended to increase capacity to over 200. The business development coaching we’ve had from the Headstart team at this vital stage has been enormously helpful.
Manager, Music Venue.
The mentoring was really useful to us and the WEB site is going really well. The training course that was attended at the London Print Studio has proved invaluable. We have just got £720 of orders that we would otherwise have been unable to do. Brilliant!
Creative Business, Nottingham
Thanks for the excellent surgery on training.
Arts Venue Manager
I really loved the course and I am putting all my learning into practice daily. You guys have given me so much.
Arts Development Officer, Local Authority
Dear Arts Training Central, I would like to thank you for your continuous support over the last few months with the Headstart programme, a special thank you to (my ATC advisor) who has monitored my progress throughout the course.
Multi-media Production Company, Leicester
I am writing to thank you for your tremendous contribution….
Arts Magazine Editor
Very many thanks from me, not only on a personal basis for what I got out of the course, but also for the other participants.
Arts Council Officer
Many thanks for leading the awayday so expertly.
Course Leader, University Drama Department
The overall quality of the event justified your hard work.
Arts Council Officer
I have been designing and producing jewellery for many years. Until I was approached to take part in the Headstart programme I had not had any practical or financial assistance.
Jewellery Maker, Nottingham
Thanks for a great retreat.
Freelance Artist
Thank you to everyone at ATC for all your help and support.
Film/Video Producer
A brief note of personal thanks for your excellent handling of last Thursday’s Away Day….I thought you did an excellent job in facilitating….the agenda you set worked very well and seemed to elicit the right reactions from participants.
Theatre Manager
The Headstart programme enabled me to update my film editing skills at Confetti Studios in Nottingham and I’m planning to use the mentoring to gain experience from another filmmaker.
Freelance Producer, Derby
It is important that we continue to get creative and business support from specialists who really understand the challenges that an organisation like ours faces.
Director, Arts Organisation, Leicestershire
Without doubt you set a standard for similar events which others might find hard to equal.
Arts Management Course Leader, University
All the above quotations are from letters and emails received by ATC from its clients
ATC lives at 16 New Street, Leicester, LE1 5NR
It can be contacted on (0116) 2425202 or sally@artstrainingcentral.co.uk
Its website is at www.artstrainingcentral.co.uk
© Arts Training Central (ATC) 2006
