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Skillset Screen Academy Bournemouth Wins Screen Academy Status |
The Media School and the Arts Institute Join Forces
5th July 2005 - Today, Bournemouth achieved Screen Academy status and is set to become one of Britain's key centres for filmmaking after the town's University and Arts Institute won a joint bid, endorsed by South West Screen, the public agency that leads the development of film, television and digital content in the South West.
The new Bournemouth Screen Academy will share in funding worth over £5million across a national newtork, secured by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries. The status will ensure that the The Media School and the Arts Institute become the only Skillset centres of excellence in the South of England, in all areas of filmmaking.
Five academies in England, Scotland, and Wales, will work together to provide new courses (including the first ever film MBA), summer schools, work placements, master classes, bursaries, online learning resources and a talent scout programme. "This is a tremendous achievement for the University and the Arts Institute which firmly recognises and secures Bournemouth as a focal point for the future of film-making in the UK," says Stephen Jukes, Head of The Media School. "We are very pleased to be working closely with the Arts Institute; this is an excellent opportunity for us to build on our collective strengths."
Prof Stuart Bartholomew, Principal at the Arts Institute, welcomes the decision noting "The Arts institute was conferred with the Queen's Prize for its outstanding work in film and animation. The designation as a UK Screen Academy adds further to the recognition of our work at the leading edge of screen-based media. The association with the University enhances the significance of Bournemouth as a centre for film education and we look forward to our joint endeavours."
Roger Laughton, Chair of South West Screen and previous Head of The Media School said, "This is a tremendous achievement for the Arts Institute and the The Media School . Bournemouth is now firmly established as the major centre in England for training and education for the screen-based industries outside the London area." He continued, "One of the targets for the new Bournemouth Screen Academy will be to work with other educational organisations in the south west to ensure the benefits of Academy status are shared as widely as possible." Caroline Norbury , Chief Executive at South West Screen said, "We are thrilled that Bournemouth has been granted the prestigious Screen Academy status it deserves.
The Media School and the Arts Institute will work together to produce highly talented and skilled entry level professionals. This will raise the standard of the industry's workforce and improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the film, TV and digital content sector in the South West. This is truly wonderful news."
The Screen Academy status was achieved following a rigorous selection process involving representatives from industry and education funding bodies including film director Anthony Minghella and film producer Lord Puttnam.
