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An Ipsos MORI survey, commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has assessed the extent to which small venues are taking advantage of new rules brought in under the Licensing Act 2003. The findings reveal that 63% have either obtained a music licence or put on live music via other means, compared to 60% under the old laws. Twenty-five per cent of premises now have a licence to put on music for the first time and fewer than 2% of venues have had live music applications refused. Of the 7% of venues that used to operate under the two in a bar rule, whereby a public entertainment licence was not required for only one or two performers, around 30% no longer have live music licences.

Aspire, a new publication developed as a resource for secondary schools aspiring to Specialist Arts or Music College status, has been published by Arts Council England (ACE). It gives guidance on the application process, planning, consultation and further resources, and also gives details of how ACE can support applications for specialist status.
w: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/publications

Oxford Brookes University is conducting a survey to investigate training needs in the specific skills required to manage organisations, programmes or events involving disadvantaged people, either as audiences or participants, and to investigate the current range and level of expertise in the artistic community. The questionnaire is available online through the Oxford Brookes Arts Management website.
w: http://ah.brookes.ac.uk/artsadmin/

Arts Council England and digital imaging company Canon UK, the principal partner of the Arts Award scheme, have published the findings of a joint survey conducted amongst over 1,800 UK bosses and workers. The findings reveal that businesses do not value creativity and that creative people and practices are often misunderstood  one in five managers shared the view that being creative means dressing unconventionally and participating in wacky stunts. Only 4% of managers said that the first thing they look for in a prospective employee is artistic flair or creativity.

Andrew Hill, Theatre Director of Swindons Wyvern Theatre, has been awarded first prize in the 2006 Rising Star Awards, made by the Institute of Entertainment and Arts Professionals to young people who have made a significant impact on their company.

An £11.6m funding package from Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council will enable mac and sampad to go ahead with a project to enhance and refurbish the current mac site. The new scheme will create a three-storey building housing a double-height gallery, an enlarged and improved bar, café, social areas and toilets.

More than £350,000 has been paid to 325 individual artists following the collection of resale royalties from throughout the EU since February 2006, when living artists first became entitled to receive a resale royalty each time their work was resold by or to an art market professional. By the end of December 2006, the total amount of resale royalties collected is expected to have exceeded £1m.

London Arts in Health Forum is removing its membership fees and introducing free membership for anyone with an interest in arts in health activity in London and nationally. The organisation offers regular events, newsletters, training sessions and advice and support for artists, musicians, architects and clinical staff.
w: http://www.lahf.org.uk