More than 500 museums shut in the UK since 2000
Nearly 530 museums across the UK have shut their doors in the last 25 years, the Mapping Museums Lab has discovered. The institute…
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Live events at cultural attractions help boost Lincoln’s economy to the tune of £15m
Council-run cultural attractions in Lincoln drew 1.5 million visits last year, bringing in £15 million to the local economy, a re…
Bristol culture funding cuts risk making the arts ‘a venture for the super rich’
Draft budget proposals that would see Bristol City Council (BCC) cut its cultural funding by £635,000 over the next three years h…
Tourist tax will support ‘iconic events’ and ‘world-class culture’, mayors pledge
A levy on overnight stays could help mayors invest in entertainment, grassroots cultural venues and the tourist experience, the go…
Manchester to gain dedicated grassroots venues network
Manchester will “lead the way” on supporting grassroots venues, city leaders have promised, following the release of a report find…
Nottingham arts centre closes doors as director vows to keep ‘doing good work’
An arts centre in Nottingham that had its council funding cut last year when the local authority effectively declared bankruptcy h…
Lumiere welcomes thousands of visitors to spectacle’s final outing
The final iteration of a North of England light festival drew more than 120,000 visitors last week. Public art producer Artichoke�…
Inquiry to investigate ‘true value’ of the North’s creative capital
An inquiry into the economic potential of the North’s creative heft will “put culture at the heart of the growth agenda”, its supp…
Nottingham arts leaders ask for ‘clarity’ on funding as council regains financial stability
Leaders from arts organisations in Nottingham, that had their local authority funding axed last year as the council battled a £50…
Museum relocation plans threaten ‘cherished community asset’, campaigners say
Hundreds of people have signed a petition campaigning against a local council’s plan to close and relocate Walsall Leather Museum….
Arts charity proposes plans to save Folkestone library
An arts charity has submitted an expression of interest to Kent County Council to restore a historic library in Folkestone and ret…
Future of North London cultural hub secured after council grants 50-year lease
A 50-year council lease renewal has given a North London cultural hub the opportunity to “seek vital capital funding for essential…
Council defends track record on culture amid competition concern over funding for new venue
Reading Borough Council has defended its decision to finance a proposed new studio space at The Hexagon theatre following criticis…
Margate venue names new partner after former leaseholder backed out due to ‘repairs backlog’
Margate Winter Gardens will receive £4m in government grant funding alongside a 999-year lease for refurbishment, Thanet District…
Hull museum reopening delayed for second time
The reopening of the Hull Maritime Museum has been delayed for a second time since it closed for refurbishment in 2021. The Grade…
Council hopes dedicated arts and culture officer could ‘garner further funding’
Councillors in the Forest of Dean have agreed to allocate £120,000 toward hiring a dedicated arts, culture, and heritage officer…
Lumiere organisers reveal next month’s festival to be last ever
Next month’s Lumiere will be the last to light up the streets of Durham, public art producer Artichoke has revealed. Despite welco…
Should England introduce a tourist tax?
A well-designed tourist tax can be a powerful tool for cultural sustainability creating a revenue stream to support improvements t…
Council ‘did not follow due process’ in museum relocation, campaigners claim
Campaigners have called a local authority’s approval to relocate a historic industrial museum “civic vandalism”, accusing counci…
Council agrees loan to reopen shuttered theatre after ditching tax rise plans
A theatre in Yeovil closed since 2023 is to reopen by 2029, after its local authority voted to approve a £3.3 million loan to com…
Welsh culture body looks to the future with 5-year plan
South Wales’ arts supporter, the Awen Cultural Trust, has launched a five-year strategy aimed at enhancing social value and sustai…
Funding cuts will drive class divide, theatre leader claims
Stratford East executive director Hanna Streeter has warned of an “ever-increasing disparity” between those educated in the privat…
Inquiry seeks local solutions to boost working-class artists in ‘nostalgic’ Manchester
An enquiry looking into how more people from working-class backgrounds can thrive within Greater Manchester’s arts and culture s…
Bristol council moves forward with gig ticket levy plans
Plans for a 1% levy to be added to the cost of concert tickets in Bristol, with the proceeds to be used to support the city’s gr…
