At the heart of its new 5-year Corporate Plan is a commitment to ensuring diversity among those it funds, and to improving the financial resilience of both arts organisations and individual artists.
Data from the Government’s Taking Part survey also suggests that 2017/18 saw record levels of arts engagement in England as a whole, though changes to the questionnaire could be skewing the findings.
By taking a robust approach to understanding the social class make-up of the workforce, the cultural sector can address entrenched inequalities. Dave O’Brien suggests a way forward.
The research centre will aim to “pre-empt the needless wheel-spinning, data-churning and combative cross-talking that has characterised much of the past debate” about cultural value.
A report commissioned by Arts Council England finds that two-thirds of the sector want the body to advocate its value to central government, but only a minority think it should be measuring quality.
Bolton's Octagon Theatre offers refugees and asylum seekers a warm welcome and opportunities to share their experiences. Deborah Dickinson tells the story.
Few arts venues have programmed main stage shows starring performers with learning disabilities, but new diversity requirements for England’s NPOs could change that, says Gus Garside.
Has music become too pigeon-holed into distinct genres? Tony Haynes asks how we can truly promote cultural diversity when the opportunities for creativity are so restricted.
Stunting community and voluntary arts organisations by restricting access to capital funding will hurt the whole sector in the long term, warns Emma Harvey.
To improve the diversity of the workforce, arts organisations need to employ more young people from low-income backgrounds. Kate Danielson shares tips for adjusting recruitment practices to do just that.
To work in a museum you need the right academic qualifications and the resources to volunteer, but new initiatives in Scotland are starting to open up the sector to young people from more diverse backgrounds, says Catherine Cartmell.
Creative organisations in East London have joined forces to offer local young people the chance to develop employment skills in paid internships. Julia Hayes tells the story.
