Reviving the fascinating art of millinery

Three hats on display on hat mannequins
26 Feb 2024

Millinery is often overlooked in the worlds of fashion and education. But, as Matthew Cunningham shares, it is experiencing a comeback.

Measuring the impact of Shakespeare

School children taking part in RSC Romeo and Juliet workshop
20 Feb 2024

The RSC is currently the only theatre company to hold Independent Research Organisation status. It is using that to initiate research about things that matter to the whole sector, as Jacqui O’Hanlon shares.

Digital capture: A transformative tool for reaching new audiences

Production image from Peaky Blinders
06 Feb 2024

Can arts organisations reach new audiences through strategies like digital capture? Recent successes offer insights into the potential of a creative and inclusive approach, write Fiona Morris and Sarah Butcher

Nurturing musical talent of the future

PRS Foundation talent development conference
30 Jan 2024

Music organisations have been under extreme financial pressure over recent years, with reduced opportunities to plan for the longer term, limiting the development of new talent. But, as Joe Frankland argues, there are some signs of optimism. 

Everybody is a winner

A man looking at an artwork
29 Jan 2024

Art Fund has launched guidance on how UK museums, galleries, libraries and archives can acquire top quality objects for free or for much less than their market value – and how the donor/seller benefits too, as Nancy Saul explains.

Opening up career opportunities in the cultural sector

Image of screen printing
23 Jan 2024

A pioneering educational programme for neurodivergent young people has been given a boost from social impact investment. Seva Phillips has been talking to Lisa Alberti about her vision at Pinc College.

How to boost arts audiences

Image of people from above, generated by DALL-E
22 Jan 2024

The figures for attendance at arts events in the UK have been stable since 2005*, writes Agnieszka Wlazeł, despite a variety of audience development initiatives over the years. 

Trustee matchmaking

A RIAC matchmaking event
15 Jan 2024

Many arts organisations struggle to find high-quality trustees, particularly ones with digital or business expertise. A new matchmaking service is responding to this challenge, as Anna Rowe and Matthew Swann explain. 

Meet the childhood friends transforming access to creative careers

Mae Yip and Samantha Hornsby
15 Jan 2024

Sam Hornsby and her best friend Mae Yip were sick of seeing young people experience the same lack of access to the creative industries they went through 20 years ago. So they did something about it.

Providing evidence for cultural policymaking

Person checking a film shot on a monitor
10 Jan 2024

The Creative PEC works closely with industry, government and the third sector to build evidence to support the development of better policy, writes Bernard Hay.

Scottish arts organisations facing financial distress

High Street Edinburgh during the Fringe festival
10 Jan 2024

Fiona McKerrellCarissa Najafian and Kirsty Fryer are lawyers with extensive experience of working with organisations facing financial challenges. Here they share top tips for weathering the current storm.

On the road again

Little Bulb company
13 Dec 2023

Rural touring is physically demanding but you get to visit the heart of places and are treated as guests of honour. Clare Beresford on the joys of rural touring.

Cultural rights are the cornerstone of equitable arts access

13 Dec 2023

When did the idea of cultural rights emerge? And how is it being put into practice? Nicholas Burman has been researching various schemes across Europe. 

Creative children, stronger families

Young children playing
11 Dec 2023

Ben Dickenson is on a mission to create a National Centre for Children’s Creativity. He passionately believes in the power of play to build stronger families.

Power in partnerships

Image of a man using a video camera
06 Dec 2023

In their latest collaborative research project, Euella Jackson and Jess Bunyan of Rising Arts Agency have been exploring the unequal balance of power inherent in partnership working. 

A guide to random selection

Tombola for random selection
04 Dec 2023

An ancient practice of balloting is being put to use in application processes with the twin aims of reducing unpaid labour and increasing fairness, writes Martin O’Leary.

Wave of change in disabled-led theatre

Two actors on stage
29 Nov 2023

This week a trio of plays opens at Live Theatre Newcastle in which, for the first time, every show is captioned. For Vici Wreford-Sinnott, playwright and disability activist, it shows how times are changing.

AI: Opera in a contemporary format

A performance of OpeRAVE: ARia at Milton Court
29 Nov 2023

A recent project at Guildhall School of Music & Drama explored the intersection of traditional opera with evolving creative technologies, as visual artist Dan Shorten explains.

Hibiscus Rising: The power of public art

Hibiscus Rising sculpture against a blue sky
28 Nov 2023

From public sculptures to powerful performances, new commissions have a unique ability to connect with audiences – which is why Art Fund is keen to support them, explains Robert Dingle.  

Young people as changemakers

The Agency national gathering at Contact, Manchester
20 Nov 2023

For ten years, The Agency has supported young people to create social change projects for their communities. Andrew Westle shares its journey over the decade.

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