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Austrian composer Olga Neuwirth has become the first woman to have a show staged by Vienna State Opera in the company's 150-year history. Her show, inspired by Virigina Woolf's novel 'Orlando', is "a a journey of constant questioning of imposed norms by society, and society is made by man", she said.

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan's work at Art Basel, his first at an art fair in more than 15 years, is a banana attached to the wall with grey duct tape. The work “offers insight [into] how we assign worth and what kind of objects we value”, according to the gallery hosting it. The banana was locally sourced from a Miami grocery store.

Alt-space, the home of Morecambe Fringe, has had its last 12 funding applications rejected. The festival's Director Matt Panesh said he cannot afford to keep the venue going himself, but hopes to raise £5000 to launch a new venue, cover outstanding debt and become financially independent. While Morecambe Fringe will continue, "the capacity for the local community to actively take part in the fringe sadly will be affected," he said.

NEC Group plans to build an 8000-capacity venue in Edinburgh, the first indoor arena in Scotland's capital. The group's Arenas Chair Phil Mean said: "Edinburgh is well known for its wonderful cultural offering but remains one of the only European capital cities without an indoor arena ... this is a long awaited and positive addition to the Scottish entertainment market."

The development, which will expand Manchester Metropolitan University's creative, digital and tech facilities, is due for completion in spring 2021. The five storey building will include film studios, green screens and editing suites, and accommodate up to 1000 students per year.

Art collector Jamie Aherne has opened what is believed to be the city's first original fine art gallery, Blackwater Gallery. Aherne said he wanted to showcase his personal collection: "Cardiff has always had a range of art galleries but none that sell original works from international artists." The gallery is preparing for its first road show.

Londoner Andria Zafirakou, who won the $1 million Varkey Foundation global teacher prize in 2018, will roll out her artists in residence initiative to schools in Newcastle, Manchester, Dorset, Scotland and Wales next year. Under the scheme, artists visit schools for six weeks and help teachers deliver creative projects. The programme currently has a waiting list of more than 80 schools.