Arts Council sparks controversy with ‘practical guide’ to cultural democracy

Photo of art
21 Sep 2018

Calls for unity have been made following comments accusing Arts Council England of appropriating a radical movement and likening the national funder to Nigel Farage playing the sitar at WOMAD festival.

Are we misunderstanding cultural democracy?

Street art in Bristol
20 Sep 2018

Has Arts Council England got cultural democracy wrong? Steven Hadley and Eleonora Belfiore argue for a more thorough questioning of existing hierarchies.

‘Donut’ venues boost community engagement, report finds

The outside of Chapel FM arts centre in Leeds
09 Aug 2018

Three outer city venues around Leeds were found to have generated committed core audiences in areas perceived as barren.

The potential of grassroots culture

People dancing at a Jive Party event in London
19 Jul 2018

Grassroots culture undeniably delivers huge benefits to communities and local economies, but Martin Cox believes it could also resuscitate the funded cultural sector.

Data map reveals levels of arts engagement across England

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15 Jun 2018

The data will be used by Arts Council England to inform a £24m investment in new areas through its Creative People and Places programme.

My Gurus - Leah Black

Photo of Leah Black
31 May 2018

WHALE Arts’ Leah Black explains how her career has been shaped by artists with a strong business understanding and her precious Clore notebook.

Letter: Facing a closed door

16 May 2018

Stunting community and voluntary arts organisations by restricting access to capital funding will hurt the whole sector in the long term, warns Emma Harvey.

Job ladder – Peter Moser

Photo of Peter Moser
29 Mar 2018

As he prepares to leave More Music, community musician and composer Pete Moser looks back over the career that’s taken him all around the world. 

A different regeneration story in Bradford

Group of people dressed like David Hockney
28 Mar 2018

Cultural regeneration in London has seen local communities priced out of their homes, but an arts organisation in Bradford is determined to prove it can work to the benefit of local people and businesses. Bernard Ginns explains how.

National network to develop socially-engaged arts practice

Photo of men singing
27 Mar 2018

Supported by Arts Council England for an initial three years, the network will be led by Battersea Arts Centre with a focus “away from London”. 

Transforming young lives

Photo of young people playing a board game
18 Jan 2018

A commitment to empowering young people has led Battersea Arts Centre and Manchester’s Contact theatre to get involved in board game design, bicycle maintenance and community fishing. Liz Moreton and Suzie Henderson tell the story.

Funding concerns plague community arts groups, survey finds

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21 Dec 2017

1,000 people involved in creative groups have revealed why they participate and highlighted the challenges their groups face.

The power of putting theory into practice

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30 Nov 2017

Chrissie Tiller implores those working in participatory and social arts practice to embrace critical reflection.

Grassroots arts suffering most under local authority cuts

Photo of women dancing covering their faces
18 Oct 2017

A survey of arts workers has revealed the strains funding cuts are putting on the sector and shown that many local authorities are yet to be convinced of the value of arts and culture. 

Pulse report: Local authority arts funding – what should be done?

Photo of spinning wind toys
18 Oct 2017

As budgets tighten, many local authorities feel they have little choice but to cut spending on arts and culture. But how is the sector reacting and what should be done to help mitigate the damage? Frances Richens shares the findings of ArtsProfessional’s latest Pulse survey.

Connecting a city

Photo of sign advertising event outside cafe
03 Oct 2017

Charles Quick describes how a programme of creative activities built around the Preston and Lancashire City Deal has brought together artists, residents and policy makers, and been met with a surprising amount of enthusiasm.

Progress is lovely

18 Sep 2017

Researcher Stephen Pritchard raises concerns that the latest evaluation of ACE’s Creative People and Places programme was based on fatally flawed methodology.

An artist in residence for every ward in Glasgow

Photo of spaceman mural
15 Sep 2017

At a Culture Summit this week, Councillor David McDonald outlined how the city’s new government would deliver the SNP’s manifesto commitments around arts and culture. 

Researchers sing praises of Creative People and Places

Photo of performance with streamers
08 Sep 2017

A three-year evaluation has commended the Arts Council England programme as a source of learning for community arts, but raised concerns about its long-term sustainability.

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