Nadine Dorries reads from the same script

16 Sep 2021

The new Culture Secretary's pro-Brexit stance and history of controversy have the left-leaning arts sector worried.

How government can avoid missing the mark on levelling up

14 Sep 2021

If policymakers get it right for the cultural sector, there may be significant economic and social dividends to be won, argues Eliza Easton.

Tie funding to compliance with employment law, MPs say

14 Sep 2021

The sector and its funders must adopt measurable diversity targets or risk losing "an entire generation of talent".

Stars call for safe passage for Afghan creatives

13 Sep 2021

The British Government has a duty to protect Afghan artists, writers and filmmakers at risk of being silenced, an open letter to MPs says.

Organised by Good Chance Theatre and the Index on Censorship, the letter has been signed by more than 80 film and theatre luminaries including Sonia Friedman, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sir Mark Rylance and Sir Sam Mendes.

It says political and creative dissent has thrived in Afghanistan, "in a region where free expression is not always respected".

"With the Taliban takeover of the country, this rich legacy is in imminent peril. 

"We urge the British government to cooperate with the international community to create a humanitarian corridor for those seeking safe  passage out of the country."

The letter also calls on creative industries leaders to help refugees to continue their work and safeguard Afghan culture for future generations.

Scotland says yes to vaccine passports, U-turns on mask rule

10 Sep 2021

The Scottish Parliament has voted to make vaccine passports mandatory at nightclubs, concerts and other large events.

The nation's model is expected to provide the blueprint for an English certification system.

Negative testing will not be accepted in lieu of a vaccine passport, prompting criticism from some Scottish politicians and health officials who say the passport alone won't prove whether people are passing the virus on, but will adversely affect businesses.

However, Scotland has removed a rule that performers within one metre of each other must wear face masks or use protective screens.

First reported in ArtsProfessional, the restriction provoked alarm among theatres and Creative Scotland.

The Scottish Government changed the rule "in response to concerns about the performing arts sector’s ability to resume work".

New guidance says the exemption will only apply when there is a partition or distance of at least one metre between performers and the audience.

"Because of the continuing risk of transmitting the virus indoors, these exemptions from wearing face coverings without one-metre distancing or partitioning should be the exception rather than the norm."

London invests £1.3m into creative jobs

10 Sep 2021

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced £1.3m for the city's Creative Enterprise Zones (CEZs) as part of a plan to double the size of the scheme.

Croydon, Lambeth and Lewisham's zones will share £1.1m - £450,000 from the CEZs scheme and £650,000 from the city's final European Social Fund grant. The councils will contribute the remaining £200,000.

Each will pursue a project to increase training, infrastructure and mentoring opportunities that support creative careers.

'Win Creative Croydon' will provide training for music industry roles.

In Lambeth, 'Brixton Creative Works' will provide specialist training to business owners wanting to support early career creatives, as well as career fairs and mentoring.

And 'Inspire Lewisham' will work with partners at Lewisham College, Goldsmiths University and The Albany to teach music and coding to creatives from underrepresented backgrounds.

Reinsurance won't cover cancellations due to capacity limits

10 Sep 2021

Any reintroduction of social distancing won't be covered under the Government's £750m scheme, which comes with hefty premiums.

Nations press ahead with vaccine passports for events

02 Sep 2021

More concrete plans to require certification at large events come as research indicates the policy could put people off getting vaccinated.

Creative freelancers missing out on business support

01 Sep 2021

After the turmoil of Covid-19, policymakers are taking interest in a new report that categorises creative freelancers based on their motivations - and what support will help them most.

Racial equity: a zero-sum game?

people in scales
01 Sep 2021

The fight for racially equitable funding in the creative industries is what drove Kevin Osborne to set up Create Equity. Here he argues the need for Black and White leaders to work together to make it happen.

UK City of Culture competition in need of redesign

01 Sep 2021

The UK City of Culture is a DCMS success story by any standards. But, as Andrew Dixon explains, serious flaws in this year’s bidding process have been likened to “sitting an exam before you’ve read the syllabus”.

Mind the understanding gap: the value of creative freelancers

Mind the gap poster
01 Sep 2021

The self employed, including freelancers, make up almost a third of the creative industries workforce - double the rate across the UK more broadly. So why, asks Nick Henry and Mary-Alice Stack, is their role and contribution so poorly understood?

Higher Covid rates for festivals in test events scheme

26 Aug 2021

DCMS says its Events Research Programme is proof events "can be conducted safely" despite thousands testing positive after attending festivals in the scheme.

EXCLUSIVE: 'Disastrous' one metre rule for performers in Scotland

24 Aug 2021

New guidance for shows in Scotland will be practically impossible to enact and a financial blow to the recently reopened industry.

Wales' arts funders 'shouldn't force white-led organisations to diversify'

23 Aug 2021

A report commissioned by the Arts Council of Wales says it is entrenched in white supremacy and has ignored calls for change. It appears to be doing the same again.

National Plan for Music education revived with expert panel

12 Aug 2021

DfE has resurrected the long-delayed plan as industry and researchers warn music A-levels could disappear from some regions by 2033.

Third Culture Recovery Fund round to open

09 Aug 2021

£150m is available to previous grantees only, with a special sustainability programme for the highest-funded applicants.

£750m live events insurance scheme approved

06 Aug 2021

The sector's prayers have finally been answered but the scheme comes with a significant premium that could prove challenging for smaller operators.

UK to create arts access card for disabled audiences

two girls playing the Cello
04 Aug 2021

The free card will enable “seamless, barrier-free” booking to boost audiences’ confidence to return to live events, building on a model already used by 38,000 people.

Creative sector R&D crucial to post-pandemic recovery

29 Jul 2021

A landmark report makes the case for investment ahead of the next Spending Review, saying innovation is being stifled just as it is needed most.

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