Tuesday, 23 April 2024
An Edinburgh-based writing showcase and networking event says it is closing for the foreseeable future after missing out on Creative Scotland project funding.
Page2Stage had previously received Creative Scotland Open Fund grants of almost £7,500 and £19,000 in 2022 and 2023.
Its funding bid for 2024 has been rejected twice, meaning it cannot apply again, as per Creative Scotland’s funding... read more
Monday, 22 April 2024
Arts leaders and politicians in Ireland have criticised Arts and Media Minister Catherine Martin for taking over four months to appoint a Chair to the Arts Council.
Her department recently confirmed that there are currently 17 vacancies on boards of national cultural institutions across Ireland, including the role of Chair at the Arts Council - An Chomhairle Ealaíon - which has been empty since... read more
Monday, 22 April 2024
Middlesborough Council has decided against selling artwork from its £32.5m collection to help avoid bankruptcy after research into the legalities of the process concluded it could result in the "threat of significant legal challenges".
Director of Regeneration Richard Horniman said it could also affect future grant funding for the town.
Horniman told councillors: “Following some joint work... read more
Monday, 22 April 2024
Leaders of the Cheltenham Paint Festival have launched a fundraising appeal after Arts Council England (ACE) turned down their application for National Lottery Project Funding.
Writing on Facebook, the team behind the free annual event said: "After our 2023 event, the South West Director of the Arts Council of England, Phil Gibby, visited the festival and could not believe they weren't funding us... read more
Elgar Festival at risk following Arts Council England funding cuts (Worcester News)
Wednesday, 17 April 2024
MENA Arts UK, set up for UK-based professionals connected to the MENA+ region (Middle East, North Africa and the surrounding area), during the first Covid lockdown, is to close.
The volunteer-led organisation emerged as a collective voice for people with connections to the region, beginning as a directory of talent working in the UK live and recorded arts.
It grew into a fortnightly newsletter... read more
Wednesday, 17 April 2024
Glasgow book festival Aye Write, which was cancelled last month after Creative Scotland turned down its funding application, has received an unexpected £65,000 donation that will enable it to host more author events.
While the full festival – last year 175 authors appeared across 10 days – will not go ahead, the money will go towards an increased number of pop-up author events throughout 2024. ... read more
Wednesday, 17 April 2024
The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television (The SI) has been announced as the new name for Scotland's MGA Academy of Performing Arts.
The renaming was instigated by the school's new owners, Irish production house Silver Rock Studios. Funding for the school has been secured from West Lothian Council, Creative Scotland, and the Scottish Government.
The institute, Scotland's... read more
Wednesday, 17 April 2024
Derry’s Waterside Theatre has announced it will close at the end of June due to a lack of funds.
The 372-capacity theatre was told earlier this month that it would no longer receive annual funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI).
The theatre's Chief Executive Iain Barr said the decision to close followed “careful consideration by the board and management of the organisation”.
It will... read more
Closure of Waterside Theatre a 'bitter blow' (BBC News)
Tuesday, 16 April 2024
Creative Scotland has defended its decision to fund a film installation featuring participants engaging in "non-simulated" sex.
The REIN project, which was initially presented as “an exploration of dyke sexuality”, secured more than £110,000 of lottery funding from the Scottish arts body.
Support was cancelled when concerns were raised that the project's website was advertising for people to... read more
Tuesday, 16 April 2024
Plans for a new arts and cultural quarter in Essex have been give the green light by a council planning committee.
Harlow Council secured £19.6m of government funding in 2023 to be spent regenerating the town centre's Playhouse Square and College Square.
The plans include major improvements to the Harlow Playhouse, which will be extended.
Land to the west of the theatre will be redeveloped to... read more
New arts quarter gets planning permission (BBC News)
Monday, 15 April 2024
A crowdfunding appeal to buy and deliver a mobile library to Ukraine has been launched by the charity representing public libraries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Libraries Connected hopes to raise £10,000 to purchase a decommissioned mobile library and deliver it to Ukraine.
The charity said that with more than 600 public libraries and 2,000 school libraries damaged or destroyed by... read more
Monday, 15 April 2024
Museum workers in Liverpool will take part in 30 days of strikes over the summer as part of an ongoing dispute over pay.
The BBC reports that walkouts by members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will affect National Museums Liverpool (NML) sites from next month.
A total of 56 days of action have already taken place in a dispute over a cost-of-living payment.
The PCS union says... read more
Friday, 12 April 2024
University museums and collections from 21 higher education institutes will receive a share of £14m of Higher Education Museums, Galleries, and Collections funding each year until 2029/2030.
The funding from Research England - part of United Kingdom Research and Innovation - has been raised from £11.7m and will go to 40 higher education museums, galleries, and collections, compared to 33 in... read more
Friday, 12 April 2024
Bolton Octagon has announced that it will offer £4 tickets to local residents on Universal Credit, Pension Credit or living in low-income households who want to attend the theatre.
Launching this month, the scheme will see 1,000 tickets each year made available at £4, in addition to the venue's existing offer of £15 tickets on 10% of seats for Octagon shows.
“Our audiences tell us what fantastic... read more
Thursday, 11 April 2024
Income generated from the use of recorded music in public places topped £283.5m last year, up 4% from 2022 - the highest level ever recorded by music licensing body PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited).
PPL said the increase was driven by an uplift in income from using recorded music in public places such as shops, bars, nightclubs, offices, and factories, which was up 11% to over £111m in 2023... read more