Tuesday, 26 March 2024
Performing arts sector remains at threat from future global shocks unless action on resilience planning is taken by both central and local government, report finds.
An international study looking at the responses of the G7 nations to the Covid pandemic has recommended that the UK Government and local authorities support arts councils in the four nations and development agencies to establish a resilience strategy for live performance. The British Academy-commissioned report, Pandemic Preparedness in the Live Performing Arts: Lessons to Learn from COVID-19,... read more
Wednesday, 20 March 2024

Watermans Art Centre will close next month to 'protect the organisation's financial viability' ahead of planned moved to a new site.

An exterior view of Watermans Arts Centre
Photo:

Google

An arts centre in Brentford featuring a theatre, a cinema, two galleries and studio spaces will close next month despite question marks over plans for it to move to a new location. Watermans Arts Centre, run by Hounslow Arts Trust which receives £123,000 a year as part of Arts Council England's... read more
Monday, 18 March 2024

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer says forthcoming review will help 'ensure that Arts Council England is driving creative excellence in the arts by funding ambitious projects of the highest quality'.

Mary Archer, a woman with mid-length dark hair wearing a dark grey suit jacket
Photo:

UK Government

Dame Mary Archer, the former Chair of the Science Museum Group will lead a government-ordered review of Arts Council England, it has been announced. The review, part of the Cabinet Office’s Public Body Reviews programme, will be tasked with looking at the effectiveness of the organisation and its... read more
Wednesday, 27 March 2024

Seven UK universities have announced job cuts affecting arts courses in recent weeks with performing arts courses particularly at risk.

University of Kent
Photo:

BrasilNut1

University of Kent's proposal to “phase out” its music course following a consultation in response to "financial challenges" has been described by support organisation MusicHE as “part of a wider assault on university education as we know it”.  MusicHE said the university's plans to cut 58 jobs and... read more
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Wednesday, 27 March 2024

Creative health charity Arts & Health South West said that despite turning to alternative funding models after losing its National Portfolio status last year, it hasn't been possible to secure its financial future.

Young people working on graffitti
Arts & Health South West (AHSW), a creative health learning, advocacy, networking and development organisation, will close on 31 March after 18 years. Previously part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio for eight years until last March, the charity said it made the “difficult decision... read more
Wednesday, 27 March 2024

Music industry representatives tell MPs they would back the idea of a fan-led inquiry into grassroots music venues, similar to that seen in football.

A man performing on stage at a small music venue
Photo:

Dilated Time/Creative Commons

Leaders from across the UK’s music industry have backed the idea of a fan-led inquiry into grassroots music venues during an evidence session with the government’s Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee. Witnesses answered questions from MPs in the committee’s first evidence session, held... read more
Tuesday, 26 March 2024

Disabled arts commissioner Unlimited says funding awards will help showcase the 'vibrant spectrum of disabled artists across the UK'.

Seven performers in circus costumes. Central performer balances on ladder held horizontally. Empty wheelchair beneath.
Photo:

Photo by Paul Blakemore

A total of 15 new artistic commissions worth £737,500 have been made to Unlimited disabled artists and companies. Disabled arts commissioner Unlimited says 10 successful UK projects will receive £487,500 in grants ranging from  £15,000 to £80,000. Meanwhile five International Awards, made in... read more
Tuesday, 26 March 2024

The public funding body's National Council will explore how its race and disability groups can 'continue to develop', with the creation of a gender advisory group also a possibility.

Arts Council England offices in Birmingham
Photo:

Google

A review of the role of Arts Council England's Race Advisory and Disability Advisory Groups will be conducted, it has been confirmed. Minutes of a meeting of ACE's National Council, the board with overall responsibility for the organisation's governance, reveal that the review will involve "... read more
Monday, 25 March 2024

The council says Bramhall Hall and its historic collection would be put at risk from the elements without urgent building work.

Bramhall Hall
Stockport Council will receive £1.6m through Arts Council England’s Museum Estates and Development Fund (MEND) to carry out repairs to Bramhall Hall.  The Grade I-listed manor houses a collection of historic objects and architectural features, including Tudor wall paintings, an Elizabethan pendant... read more
Monday, 25 March 2024

The Science Museum has been criticsed for links with fossil fuel sponsors BP, Equinor and Adani.

Protesters unfurl a 12-metre banner spanning the full height of the Science Museum's Energy Hall reading ‘Adani off our lands and out of this museum'
Photo:

Ron Fassbender

Climate activists staged protests at London’s Science Museum twice last week ahead of the launch of the organisation's new green energy gallery, sponsored by Adani Green Energy, the renewables subsidiary of fossil fuels giant and the world's largest private coal mine developer Adani. Protesters... read more
Monday, 25 March 2024

Cultural organisations across England will receive grants from the latest round of the government's Cultural Investment Fund to support repairs, renovations and digital infrastructure.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Photo:

alh1 via Flckr

Dozens of museums and libraries across England will share £33m of grants for building and digital upgrades as part of the latest round of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) Cultural Investment Fund (CIF). The financing comes from two subsidiaries of CIF: the Museum Estate and... read more
Monday, 25 March 2024

The independent cinema, which closed in 2022, will use the grant to modernise its facilities, offering improved access and facilities.

Edinburgh Filmhouse
Photo:

Google

Edinburgh Filmhouse has announced plans to reopen by the end of the year after being awarded a £1.5m grant from the UK Government. The money from the government’s Community Ownership Fund (COF) will be used to upgrade the cinema’s facilities, including new seating with extra legroom, improved... read more