A MAJOR effort has been launched to identify all the writers, musicians, performers and other artists who live and work in North Yorkshire.

The research is being carried out by Chrysalis Arts, an arts development agency based in the county, to inform future support and development opportunities.

Director Rick Faulkner said: "We want to find out more about the numbers and needs of people working in the fields of literature and performing arts, particularly music, but also dance, theatre and puppetry.

"We know that North Yorkshire is a significant area for artists and writers.

"Through this research we are aiming to locate as many artists, musicians and writers as possible, in order to help provide development opportunities and move careers forward."

Chrysalis Arts has been providing information and professional development services for the creative for more than a decade and has helped numerous visual artists to further their careers.

"What we want to do in this new initiative is to put practitioners in touch with agencies that provide similar services in other artforms and also to see where there are gaps that need to be filled," said Mr Faulkner.

"First we need to know more about who is working in these other areas and what their development needs are - hence our questionnaire, which we hope people will complete and return to us," he added.

For a copy of the questionnaire contact Chrysalis Arts on 01756-748529 or email survey@artdepot.org.uk. Alternatively it can be downloaded from the website www.creativenorthyorkshire.com?documents.aspx. All questionnaires should be returned by July 24.

It is hoped to arrange a number of networking days later in the year to bring together people working in the sector, where they will have the chance to discover development opportunities on offer through meeting a range regional and national agencies.