ACE proposes ‘relevance’ in new 10 year strategy

A photo of a Fun Palaces event
28 Jun 2019

Arts Council England’s draft 10 year strategy says “we do not consider that certain types or scales of artistic activity are inherently of higher quality or value than others”.

Tristram Hunt ‘not interested’ in V&A prayer room

A photo of a gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum
27 Jun 2019

The V&A Director is unconvinced by arguments for a dedicated prayer room in V&A East.

Thinking big about health

Photo of The Hub at Wellcome Collection
20 Jun 2019

The Hub at Wellcome Collection brings together academics and practitioners to tackle issues like rest and busyness, rare dementias and inclusive research, writes Harriet Martin.

Without help, without permission

A photo of Pride of Princes, an interactive performance
12 Jun 2019

A perpetual, community-led art project is transforming neighbourhoods in Exeter, street by street. JoJo Spinks explains why handing control of commissioning to local people has been crucial to its success.

Redefining the City of London through culture

The House of Wayward Plants: The Smithfield Greenhouse, as part of Culture Mile’s Play the Mile
12 Jun 2019

The global finance hub is forging a new identity through risk-taking alliances between its commercial, public and cultural sectors, writes Tim Jones.

Join the club

Photo of Manchester Collective filming in a derelict room in Hull
23 May 2019

Adam Szabo shares seven principles that have helped Manchester Collective attract younger audiences to its classical concerts.

Book review: Persistent Creativity

15 May 2019

Peter Campbell's sceptical critique of the 'creativity agenda' makes for fascinating - if at times uncomfortable - reading, says Andrew Garrad.

Arts Council calls in Plain English Campaign

A light bulb in front a a blackboard with thought bubble drawings
03 May 2019

The campaigning group which challenges “gobbledygook, jargon and misleading public information” has been brought in to help stamp out meaningless and inaccessible language. 

Queuing up for 50p tickets

A photo of a queue of people outside Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
02 May 2019

There are queues around the block for a chance to nab the Citizens Theatre's 50p tickets – an offer that’s available for every production. It’s not just a way of diversifying audiences, it also brings to life the theatre’s history, and civic mission, says Dominic Hill.

A seat at the table

Photo of Imrana speaking at the Power of Community symposium
24 Apr 2019

Challenging the notion of a ‘hard-to-reach community’ in Luton, Imrana Mahmood explores the need to create pathways that lead to meaningful inclusion.

The arts in a backpack

Photo of a blue backpack
23 Apr 2019

An Action for Children’s Arts study recommends that every child at primary school should have five quality arts experiences in the school year. Chris Jarvis explains how the Arts Backpack project is working to make this a reality.

Financing future communities

Photo of a grand piano as a garden feature, covered in plants.
18 Apr 2019

The Conservatoire in Blackheath recently arranged a finance plan with Triodos Bank to fund its future activities. Phillip Bate explains how the bank’s ethos and belief in the cultural sector made it happen.

An artificial artist

04 Apr 2019

Aidan Meller introduces Ai-Da, a sketching robot who is both an artist and a work of art.

Bringing libraries to life

Photo of a young man playing a keyboard
28 Mar 2019

Libraries will always be about books and information, but in Manchester they’re also a place for local communities to enjoy live gigs and other arts events. Zoe Williams explains how the transformation has taken place.

Getting people talking

Photo of Tom Pow staring face to face with a sculpture which is wearing headphones
28 Mar 2019

Are we losing the art of conversation? Tom Pow explains how a project in Scotland is using the arts to stimulate communication.

Making community arts work

Portrait – people and places of the First Art area by David Severn and Kajal Nisha Patel
21 Mar 2019

What makes socially engaged and participatory arts projects successful? Elizabeth Lynch and Miriam Nelken talked to artists, commissioners and participants to find out.

Public art by popular demand

Photo of public art project outside London Bridge Station - painted bollards
21 Mar 2019

A recent survey found that four in five Londoners would contribute at least £2 towards public art in their local area. Marine Tanguy and Vishal Kumar explore the potential role of citizens in new commissions.

Playing for high stakes

Photo of woman and child playing Minecraft
14 Mar 2019

Aenne Lotze and Francesca Cross explain how a recent project harnessed young people's passion for online gaming to develop their real-world skills and relationships.

New ways to tell stories

Photo of a silhouette of a person wearing diving ear in front of a digital projection of the ocean
14 Mar 2019

A key barrier to growth in the immersive technology industry is a lack of content. It’s a gap tailor-made for the cultural sector to step into, says Tonya Nelson.

Breaking new ground

An image of two overlaping pixelated sun-like objects, on the horizon, with root-like pixelations in the foreground
14 Mar 2019

Drew Hemment and Feimatta Conteh explain how a data-driven artwork encourages crucial public engagement with an environmental observatory.

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