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As the election machine gears up to spin itself into a frenzy of policies and promises, spanners are being thrown into the works from all directions. In London, much noise is being made about the apparent problems at the beleaguered Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) – problems that the ICA’s own press office have mostly dismissed as idle gossip. In Exeter, the Northcott Theatre (Ben Bradshaw’s local) has called in the administrators – against the wishes and advice of Arts Council England (ACE). The Northcott’s Board has effectively given up the fight and handed over responsibility, forcing ACE to underwrite its upcoming show. It would be unfair and unhelpful to directly compare the ICA with the Northcott, but there has certainly been a lot more noise and speculation about the ICA’s problems than the Northcott’s – despite the fact that London is hardly short of gallery spaces while the Northcott is one of the few producing theatres in the South West. Perhaps the arts politicians should quit parading their pithy sound bites around London and look to their own back yards.

Exeter's Northcott Theatre has gone into administration - against the advice of ACE.
Guardian Stage Guardian FT

The Institute of Contemporary Art faces a staffing crisis after a vote of no confidence in its Director and the resignation of its Director of Exhibitions.
Guardian Art Newspaper Times Guardian Mute Magazine Independent

The men accused of trying to hold a Leonardo da Vinci painting to ransom are on trial.
Guardian Times Scotsman BBC Guardian BBC Times BBC BBC

Local Authorities need innovation to survive potential budget cuts, according to a BBC survey.
BBC BBC BBC

Details of 17,500 customers have been hacked on the National Theatre's website.
BBC Stage

The winners of this year’s Oscars have been announced – including the first woman to win Best Director.
Guardian Guardian Guardian Guardian Scotsman Times Independent Independent Telegraph Times
BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC

An Equity survey has found that West End theatres are infested with mice.
Stage Times Guardian Guardian

Four cities have been shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2013.
Independent Guardian Guardian

The budget for the National Heritage Memorial Fund has been halved.
Guardian

Visitor numbers increased at free galleries and museums in 2009.
BBC

Artists in Beijing claim that they are being "driven out" by economic development.
Guardian

Blogs:
Charlotte Higgins bemoans the intern culture in the arts.

Tom Service and John Ellingsworth call for more support for opera and circus, respectively.

Will Gompertz and Louise Jury consider the arts debates before the general election.

Good reads:
Gillian Harris talks to Zuhal Sultan, founder of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq.

Francesca Jackes asks why the Vienna Philharmonic has so few female and non-white players.

Richard Morrison thinks that the arts and academia are more worried than ever before about cuts.

Will Self proposes giving up art for Lent.