With artists no longer able to travel freely across Europe post-Brexit, and with no sign of the Covid pandemic abating, Francesca Hegyi explores the challenges of trying to stage an international festival in the UK.
With the re-opening of outdoor festivals around the UK, John McGrath shares his thoughts on creating a responsible and safe festival that both responds to Covid limitations and offers a true artistic and community experience.
Muslim communities are regularly assailed by poor generalisations and by impoverished stories written by ‘someone else’, which are not just mediocre but harmful, writes Raheel Mohammed.
The festival season may look a bit different this year, but Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture is underway. Jake Bartle and Emily Coleman talk us through the summer programme of fun, creative events and exhibitions.
Hannah Hartley says the outdoor arts industry’s long-held resilience and versatility has given them the tools to overcome nearly anything, just when it’s needed the most.
Critics call Festival UK 2022 "nationalistic imperialism" and "a showcase for the Government". The creatives involved say that couldn't be further from the truth.
DCMS Minister Caroline Dinenage says the much-vaunted measure runs the risk of giving false confidence to festivals: "I just wouldn't be prepared to do that."
Following a £3m research and development phase, diverse teams of artists, scientists and engineers will receive £10m each to bring their "showstopping" ideas to life.
Writer-in-residence Francesca Millican-Slater reflects on the Festival's intensive R&D period - an experiment, she believes, in how tendering could be developed.
The UK City of Culture year will press ahead with a full calendar of festivals and events from May 15 - two days before the Government's 'no earlier than' date for live shows.
When decisions about programming are made in hours rather than months, organisations hone in on their core purpose. Festivals will move ahead again by reinvigorating the relationship between artists and audiences, says Sharon Canavar.
Long-distance relationships needn’t limit ambition. Sarah Fisher, Ying Kwok and Lindsay Taylor describe a sustainable approach to sharing the physical and digital demands of curation.
Croydon is still developing the cultural showcase despite an order against non-essential spending, a review over alleged financial mismanagement, and a £67m deficit.
A local authority under fire for censoring a politically-minded piece says it usually stays out of programming decisions - unless the programme conflicts with the views of its councillors.