News

Scottish Youth Theatre, which was dropped from Creative Scotland’s Regular Funding portfolio in 2015 and warned it would close after failing to re-join in 2018, has been offered £150k of Government money to match cash pledges from the private sector. A similar Government intervention in 2015 prompted the funder to claim its status as an arms-length body had been undermined.

Andria Zafirakou has become the first UK winner of the Global Teacher Prize, winning £720k from the Varkey Foundation for her work at a Brent secondary school. Accepting the award, the art and textiles teacher said: “Too often we neglect this power of the arts to actually transform lives particularly in the poorest communities.”

Visits to UK attractions increased by 7.3% last year, with growth at 13.9% in Scotland, according to the latest figures from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions. The British Museum remained the most visited attraction despite visits dropping for the second year running, from 6.8 million in 2015 to 5.9 million in 2017.

New research by the Creative Industries Federation reveals the combined value of goods and services produced by British art, music, digital technology and advertising is greater than previously thought.

Culture Secretary Matt Hancock signed a Memorandum of Understanding with his Saudi Arabian counterpart to open up export opportunities for the sector. Announcing the agreement, Hancock praised the arts and sport for giving people “the freedom to express themselves”.

Arts Council England has granted Sunderland Culture £745k to create five glass artworks at key points along the River Wear between the National Glass Centre and Durham Cathedral. Artists will be commissioned this year, and the project will be completed in 2021.