If you cannot see this email properly click here Hello and welcome to the second ISIC and Art & Islands Conference newsletter. In just over three months time delegates from around the world will meet on Guernsey to discuss the theme Art, Islands and Islomania. In the last newsletter we explained a bit about what the conference was and what would be happening during the conference. This newsletter will explain a bit more about what Small Island Cultures Research Initiative (SICRI) is and what the delegates will be addressing throughout the conference. What is SICRI? Established in 2004 SICRI was set up to help facilitate the communication and collaboration between researchers and cultural practitioners working with small island communities. Its primary aim is to research and assist the maintenance and development of the language, literature, music, dance, folkloric and media cultures of small island communities. SICRI aims to identify possible research partners and suitable strategies and funding sources to benefit small island cultures and those researching them. For more information about SICRI you can log onto their website here Why Guernsey? - Professor Philip Hayward, Southern Cross University SICRI (The Small Island Cultures Research Initiative) holds annual international conferences in island locations that are notable for their cultural history and distinct identity. Guernsey was identified as an area of particular interest on account of its linguistic and constitutional history and because it had previously held the Art and Islands event (and because of its flourishing arts scene in general). The theme Art, Islands and Islomania has been chosen for The 6th International Conference on Small Island Cultures and papers have been invited to address this theme. The conference has attracted wide international interest and speakers will be attending from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, The United States, Denmark, France and the United Kingdom. Professor Philip Hayward, Editor of SICRI, March 2010. Papers to be presented This year the submission for papers has been phenomenal, and SICRI have already reached the limit of 30 papers have being approved for presentation at the conference. Just some of the provisional titles for this year are: Did you want flipper pie with that?, Island Victims of Islomania, Opium Every Morning: An "Asiatic Custom" on 18th-century Nantucket, Islomaia: The Haunting Blasket Islands, Thank God We're Surrounded by Water and Artists on the Edge. Coming Soon ............. Details on Conference pricing and booking tickets, plus some exciting news about Antony Gormley and Andy Goldsworthy. This Conference is being delivered in partnership with SICRI, the College of Further Education, HSBC Private Bank, HIscox, Herm Management and the Guernsey Arts Commission Guernsey Arts Commission, Guernsey Information Centre, North Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 2LQ W: www.arts.gg E: info@arts.gg T: (01481) 739747 A company limited by guarantee with charitable status, registered in Guernsey, number 49101 If you wish to be removed from this mailing list please click here