This Spring there will be an opportunity to view 3 exhibitions in Sheffield showcasing different aspects of a fascinating arts and academic research project called Look at Me! Images of Women and Ageing. The project, led by a team of researchers from the University of Sheffield working with Eventus, Rosy Martin and Susan Holden, aims to transform the way society views older women and challenge current perceptions of women and ageing. The first exhibition of photographs and 3D images will take place at The Workstation on Paternoster Row, Wed 9th to Wed 23rd March 2011 (9am-5pm, excluding weekends). The second exhibition of images will be displayed in shop windows on The Moor and Sunwin House on Furnival Gate, Sat 26th March to Thurs 7th April 2011. The third exhibition of films and projected images will be at the Jessop West Exhibition Space, Leavygreave Rd, Mon 11th to Fri 16th April (10am-6pm).

When we were thinking of a title for the arts strategy we had created for the Broadacres Housing Association in North Yorkshire, we had to look no further than their own strapline! We are delighted that their Board have formally adopted the strategy, funded through Arts Council England's Grants for the Arts. Broadacres have been increasing their use of the arts, including a creative consultation event that Eventus carried out with residents, staff and neighbours of their hostel for homeless young people. The strategy gives them a framework to link the arts into their core objectives, particularly around tenant involvement, and signposts them to potential partnerships. We think this may be the first arts strategy for a housing association in the country, but would be interested to hear of any others!

Following our success as the lead managing agent in bidding for and managing over £600K of Kids Can Do contracts for Viva (South Yorkshire Arts Consortium), Arts Council England Yorkshire has commissioned Eventus to carry out R&D into the future of consortium working and strategic commissioning. Our associate, Pamela Butler has been busy finding out what is happening locally and nationally. She is in the process of planning a series of events for the arts sector in Sheffield and for the arts sector and commissioners to map out our emerging new relationship. As part of sharing this work, Clare McManus recently spoke at an event in Derby which brought together 3rd sector organisations in the city to explore possibilities for local consortium working. We have also been working closely alongside Mandy Forrest, Procurement and Commissioning Officer for Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS) on this. She has been a huge support in understanding the changing landscape in which many public services will be commissioned in the future.

Eventus Director Clare McManus is honoured to have been elected Chair of Sheffield Well-being Consortium www.sheffieldwellbeing.org.uk. The 60 members of the consortium cover a range of community based health groups, including arts organisations. The consortium has been successful in winning contracts including Community Health Champions, cited as an example of best practice in the Government's Public Health white paper. The R&D on strategic commissioning explores the links and best ways forwards for the arts within different consortia and structures.

Eventus is delighted to announce we have been commissioned by St Helens Council to carry out training for non-arts professionals in creative consultation. The training will take place in St Helens and Liverpool and will support staff in exploring their own creative skills, as well as understanding when and how to commission professional artists to undertake consultation. This builds on the success of the Creative Places approach to investing in training and support for housing regeneration and development staff.

Our work with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) around community engagement continues with Lancaster Priory's bid now submitted. Fingers crossed for a hat trick of winning bids - and a new project with young people imminent. HLF has launched a public consultation on the future of Lottery funding for heritage from 2013-2019. The consultation is open until 26 April 2011 and you can join in online at http://www.hlf.org.uk/consultation2011. As the heritage and arts lotteries, through Grants for the Arts, become larger and other funding sources decrease, it is important that people contribute to make sure that the frameworks for funding are what people want.

Arts Council England has revised its system of Regularly Funded Organisations and all existing RFOs, and hopeful contenders, have been invited to apply to become NPOs. This isn't just a name change; RFO status was previously conferred, whereas NPO status has to be applied for. While funding reductions mean that there will be fewer NPOs, the process is more transparent. Eventus has used the opportunity to rethink its priorities and direction and to build on our successful Annual Review from Arts Council England, in which we were rated as 'outstanding' for developing engagement in the arts.

Introducing another member of our fantastic Board, Louise Page. Louise is a writer and playwright who has previously worked for The Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal Court, The Archers, Bad Girls and Doctors. She now runs her own company, Words4Work and is involved in a number of community and educational projects. If you fancy treating yourself to a creative day in the Peak District, Louise is running a series of writing workshops in Youlgreave Reading Room. Creating Characters - Saturday 19 March, Writing from Experience - Saturday 16 April, The Now Novel - Sunday 20 March, Writing for Performance - Sunday 17 April, Soap Opera Writing Day - Saturday 14 May and Performance for Writers - Sunday 15 May. All courses are from 10am to 5pm. For booking and more details contact Louise Page on 01629 636863