Local authorities

Two arts companies whose commission was censored by their council are hosting a public talk on the decision.

Gabriella Hirst's artwork An English Garden was deemed "a left wing attack" by local politicians for its interrogation of Britain's nuclear history. 

Arts company Metal said councillors' "fundamental misreading" threatened to distort the actual meaning of the work and agreed to remove it.

An online conference on October 23 presented by Metal and The Old Waterworks will "continue the discussions that were silenced through the censorship".

A workshop in September taught participants to graft the offending Atom Bomb roses, which are now on display outside Southend's Focal Point Gallery.

The UK Government has said it will help Glasgow address its culture funding crisis.

The city’s cultural operator Glasgow Life has warned it cannot reopen more than 90 of its 171 venues if it does not secure funding above the £100m pledged by Glasgow Council over the next for years.

The charitable trust announced plans to cut 500 jobs earlier this year.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said he is "keenly aware" of the difficulties Glasgow Life faces.

"The cultural importance of Glasgow's museums cannot be overstated. I am determined to do everything I can to support efforts to secure the future of our wonderful collections."

Glasgow Life Chairman David McDonald welcomed Stewart's comments and hoped they spark a meeting between Scotland Office and the Scottish Government to "protect cultural growth in Glasgow".

Aberdeen City Council has approved plans to provide online instrumental lessons for pupils.

It first introduced digital music lessons during the pandemic, when Aberdeen City Music Service began uploading instructor videos for pupils to access between classes.

The provider says students have made "good progress" during digital lessons, prompting council officers to consult with pupils, parents and instructors to determine the scope of the offer.

The initiative will support an expected increase in the number of pupils taking lessons as Scotland becomes the first UK nation to mandate free instrumental music tuition.

"Our council has been pioneering in its use of digital technology - and there is a great opportunity to harness its power in delivering content to support those who engage with the music service," Councillor M Taqueer Malik commented.

The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival has been cancelled by Colne Town Council due to rising costs.

Council chair, Liberal Democrat Mary Thomas, said the council "no longer has the resources" to run the festival after taking over its administration in 2017.

"It has become clear over the three years that Colne Town Council has run the festival that it has become unsustainable in its current form.

"Ticket sales for the main stages have been falling year on year. In addition, the buyers... have overwhelmingly been from an older demographic and we have been unable to attract a younger audience in enough numbers."

The town council expects to stage a new summer music festival from next year.

Awarded UK Blues Festival of the Year 2019, the event is estimated to have attracted 25,000 people to the Lancashire town that year. It has been an annual event for the past 30 years.

A petition calling for the decision to be overturned has received more than 5,000 signatures online.

Swansea Council has opened a £50,000 Cultural Fund to help its local arts and culture sector bounce back from the pandemic.

Swansea-based freelancers and organisations working in arts, culture and heritage can claim up to £1,500.

"We know that with lost income and more pressure on audiences' purses than ever, the costs of staging events or concerts will be daunting for some local groups. This is where we think we can help," cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said.

"Swansea's cultural community is crucial to keeping our city strong and our residents fit and healthy."

To apply for funding, applicants must email the council and return a completed application before October 31.

North East Lincolnshire Council has appointed creative consultants Beam to determine its new culture and heritage strategy.

The council decided in 2017 to outsource its next cultural strategy. Cabinet Minister for Culture Callum Procter said “it’s now time update our work and build on the firm foundations now in place”.

The area has recently benefited from funding through the Cultural Development Fund, Heritage Action Zone and Towns Fund, alongside support for cultural programmes Grimsby Creates and Cleethorpes Townscape Heritage Programme.

Beam consultant Frances Smith said the strategy will “build on achievements to date and explore how the power of creativity can help residents and visitors to shape North East Lincolnshire’s distinct sense of place.”

It will focus on three key elements: how to build leadership, how to engage young people and how to celebrate the area's heritage.

A 'Town of Culture' competition could be heading to West Yorkshire as early as 2023 under the area's economic recovery plan.

The plan proposes "a creative new deal" to promote places in West Yorkshire and boost the visitor economy.

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin revealed plans to create a new cultural event for the region when she was elected in May.

The former Shadow Culture Secretary penned the idea as a way of supporting the area's cultural offer.

If the contest is launched, it would be reserved for places too small to vie for the national City of Culture title.

West Yorkshire is represented by Bradford and Wakefield in the 2025 longlist for UK City of Culture 2025.