Friday, 26 April 2024
Attendees at the Northern Music Awards in Manchester have criticised a lack of support for young musicians.
Speaking to The Guardian at the event, singer and songwriter Lisa Stansfield said: “There aren’t enough platforms for young musicians. It’s made very, very difficult by this government for them to do anything.
"They don’t have any money, and they’re being charged to go everywhere to do gigs... read more
Thursday, 25 April 2024
The Swan Theatre in Worcester has been added to a list of organisations set to benefit from a share of £5m of Levelling Up funding after Worcester City Council (WCC) was given an extension on submitting its spending plans.
The council was originally expected to deliver its final plan on 10 May, but the deadline has been moved to 3 June.
The original spending strategy included awarding £1.6m to... read more
Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Ballet Cymru is offering support to children and young people living with juvenile arthritis as part of a creative collaboration launched with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, funded by Arts Council Wales.
Dr Joanne May, a consultant at the Children's Hospital for Wales, who initiated the Dance to Move partnership, said: "We aim to deliver holistic care, but time in clinics is limited,... read more
Ballet Cymru programme supporting children with arthritis (South Wales Argus)
Wednesday, 24 April 2024
The UK’s largest indoor arena has postponed launch events with Peter Kay, due to be held this week, after work on its power supply fell “a few days behind schedule”.
"It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind," a statement from Co-Op Live Arena said.
"Rescheduling gives us the extra time... read more
Tuesday, 23 April 2024
An MP has spoken in Parliament about concerns over a shortage of "essential" studio and exhibition spaces for artists in Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable.
Andrew Selous, South West Bedfordshire MP, told Ministers: “Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable and many other parts of my constituency are blessed with an abundance of artists, painters, sculptors and others, but they have very few places where they can... read more
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)