International

Calls to make it easier for UK museums to consider repatriating cultural objects have been rebuked by the government.

The House of Lords debated a motion to amend the 40-year old National Heritage Act, tabled by Conservative former culture minister Lord Ed Vaizey, last Thursday (13 October).

Vaizey is chairing a new body aiming to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece. He has also suggested give greater freedom for museums to dispose of objects in their collection and deal with restitution requests.

Similar proposals have been made by museum sector leaders, including V&A Director Tristram Hunt.

But Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt has told MPs revisiting the legislation is “not a priority” for the government.

Her comment followed former Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden saying that amending the legislation risks institutions “facing a barrage of claims for restitution".

“I can assure you that if we allow this Pandora’s box to open, we will regret it for generations to come as we see those artefacts being removed to countries where they may be less safe,” he added.

Ms Mordaunt replied: “I thank Mr Dowden for raising this issue, and there were many nods around the chamber when he was speaking.

“I am aware that Lord Vaizey has a debate on this matter in the House of Lords, but I can tell Mr Dowden that revisiting the National Heritage Act is not a priority for this government.”

Mordaunt’s response appears to echo Prime Minister Liz Truss’ stance on the issue, who told GB News at the Conservative Party conference earlier this month: “I don’t support that”.

The Government Art Collection (GAC) is launching a five-year project to acquire works by contemporary British visual artists for display at UK government outposts around the world.

The DCMS project, called X-UK, will result in works being on show in more than 125 countries in embassies and other government buildings. It aims to showcase “the best of British creativity” and promote interest in the creative sector.

GAC will collaborate with the Contemporary Visual Arts Network in England, the Scottish Contemporary Art Network and networks in Wales and Northern Ireland to select emerging artists.

During a pilot scheme during 2020-2021, GAC made an initial selection of over 90 pieces by 45 artists, which are currently on display in government buildings in the UK and overseas.

Artists whose work was acquired during the pilot have since achieved new career highlights. Glasgow-based artist Alberta Whittle went on to represent Scotland at the 59th Biennale di Venezia in 2022 and currently has pieces on display in the National Galleries of Scotland.  

Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said that X-UK “aims to be a true reflection of every part of the United Kingdom”. 

Shailesh Vara, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said the project “will undoubtedly serve as a fantastic springboard for new and emerging artists from Northern Ireland to display their talent on the world stage”. 

A public art trail reflecting on colonial histories launched in seven cities at the weekend.

Created by The World Reimagined, the project aims to explore the UK’s relationship with the transatlantic slave trade, its impact on society and how action can be taken to make racial justice a reality.

More than 100 artist-designed globe sculptures exploring themes including the culture of Africa before the slave trade and an ode to the Windrush generation are located in Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London and Swansea.

All trails are connected by a digital platform that allows visitors to explore the collection and the history it reflects.

The art trail previewed outside Westminster Abbey last Thursday (11 August) and will be free to view by the public across the seven locations until 31 October.

“These thought-provoking, challenging and inspiring works of art that are now transforming the streets of our host cities invite us to understand it is not ‘Black history’ – it’s all of our history,” said The World Reimagined Co-Founder Michelle Gayle.

“All of us have a role to play in the work of making racial justice a reality. So, we hope you will explore the trails and join the conversation.”

DCMS is extending its UK Global Screen Fund for three years with an additional £21m of funding.

Designed to boost international development and distribution opportunities post-Brexit, the fund supported more than 65 productions in its £7m pilot year.

According to DCMS, the continued investment will increase exports of UK film, TV and video games in new territories, help productions promote work at film festivals and support companies to hire staff with specialist skills.

It is split into three strands with the first, a channel aimed at supporting the sale and distribution of UK feature films overseas, reopening today (17 May).

Two subsequent strands, aimed at international business development and international co-production, will relaunch in the coming months.

Ben Roberts, CEO of BFI, administers of the fund, said international collaboration is fundamental to making new films and dramas that audiences around the world want to see.

“We are proud of the incredible craft and talent within our screen industries, and look forward to how we can help grow opportunities for the UK globally over the next three years of this essential fund."

A curator from the Southern Ukrainian city of Melitopol is missing after being abducted from her home at gunpoint by Russian forces.

Director of the Melitopol Museum of Local History, Leila Ibrahimova, told the New York Times Galina Andriivna Kucher was kidnapped on 30 April.

Kucher’s disappearance follows the loss of 198 priceless artefacts reportedly looted from the museum.

Russian forces removed the artefacts, consisting of gold pieces, old weapons, silver coins and medals, which are more than 2,300-years-old, after museum workers attempted to hide the items.

Kucher reportedly refused to disclose the location of the artefacts. She was released from the raid but subsequently kidnapped the following night.

Melitopol has been occupied by Russian forces since early March.