Friday, 06 February 2015
How should we assess 'quality' in the participatory arts? Toby Lowe shares the issues that artists raised when invited to reflect on the quality of their own practice.
What happens when children from deprived backgrounds go to the theatre for the first time? Sarah Cassidy reports on the impact of the Start programme.
Wednesday, 04 February 2015
Severe cuts and a departmental shakeup are calling into question the value Northern Ireland’s government places on arts and culture, says Victoria Durrer.
Tuesday, 03 February 2015
All theatres have a responsibility to nurture new audiences. So why do some of the best-funded companies seem so uninterested in engaging children and families, asks Lyn Gardner.
Monday, 02 February 2015
As artist Andy Scott speaks his mind about the process of securing funding from Creative Scotland, Brian Wilson calls for an end to the Government’s “control-freakery” and the culture of silence it promotes.
Thursday, 29 January 2015
Where do fundamentalists get the idea that it's acceptable to shut down those public expressions they don't find palatable? JJ Charlesworth reflects on self-censorship.
The economic climate has proved no barrier to thriving opera in the cities worst affected by the financial crisis. Robert Everett-Green explains why.
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Live Music Now explains why music can play a valuable role in the campaign to combat loneliness among older people.
Eye-watering salaries and perks that include free travel for spouses are being used to tempt academics to lead Boston's most prominent nonprofit arts and cultural institutions. Beth Healy and Sacha Pfeiffer report.
Friday, 23 January 2015
With so many artists ending up pursuing portfolio careers, how can higher education institutions better cater for this reality? Judith Hills makes some suggestions.
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
As the National Gallery prepares to put all its gallery services out to tender, Polly Toynbee reflects on the implications for staff and calls for more power to be restored to the unions.
Monday, 19 January 2015
The internet makes access to the underground arts easier for everyone, but the mainstream audience isn't always ready for the radical ideas they may meet. Lois Keidan explores the implications.
Karen Wright hopes the experience of Artes Mundi 6 will have prompted Nicholas Serota to think hard about the reinvention of the Turner Prize.
Economic impact studies are standardising cultural experiences in the same way education has been standardised to achieve acceptable exam grades, says Colin Dabkowski.
Mark Turnbull explains how a long-term commitment to the arts by a social housing provider in Bolton has inspired tenants and promoted social change.
Friday, 16 January 2015
Why is it still acceptable for non-disabled actors to portray disabled characters, when white actors “playing black” is seen as outrageous, asks Frances Ryan.
Bidding for the European Capital of Culture title encourages mayors to dream big and lust after buildings they don’t need and can’t afford, says Oliver Wainwright.
Thursday, 15 January 2015
Reversing the long-term US trend of falling arts attendance is going to take a lot bigger thinking than is generally taking place, says Alexander Forbes.
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Does charging artists fees to enter open exhibitions amount to asking them to subsidise the sector? Jack Hutchinson examines the issues.
A young quartet scheme called 'Bridge' has been launched in response to a perception that there is a lack of support for young professional musicians on the thresholds of their careers. Peter Cropper describes the initiative.