Thursday, 21 January 2021
The pound-per-use value of some cultural and heritage activities has been calculated in a startling series of reports that could signal a sea change in funding decisions.
In a move years in the making, DCMS has created economic guidelines for valuing culture it says will guide future funding decisions.
Research based on the Treasury's model of social cost benefit analysis aims to help appraise policies, programmes and projects, as well as informing future legislation and regulation for the sector, decisions about retaining and investing in cultural assets, and... read more
Wednesday, 20 January 2021
The Music Venue Trust is in discussions with the Government and other partners about a series of highly Covid-secure events in London and Bristol that would eventually reach 100% capacity.
Photo:
Andrew Aleks
Performance pilots are expected by March as the music industry eyes options for a safe and sustainable future.
The Music Venue Trust (MVT) is in talks with the Government about running a series of events at The 100 Club in London and The Exchange in Bristol, the first starting at 50% capacity, the... read more
Thursday, 07 January 2021
European touring is under threat as the cost and logistics of taking performances to EU countries will pose "significant challenges" for everyone from individual artists to major national companies.
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The Brexit trade deal has failed to make provision for creative and cultural workers touring throughout the 27 EU states to perform shows and events.
Tracy Brabin MP, shadow Minister for Cultural Industries, has spoken in the House of Commons, condemning this “glaring omission in the deal agreed... read more
Tuesday, 19 January 2021
A Supreme Court decision has opened the door for thousands of arts and entertainment companies to claim business interruption insurance over Covid-19.
Photo:
Michael D Beckwith
Thousands of arts and entertainment businesses could receive insurance payouts worth billions following a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Businesses fighting their insurers for payment will now receive settlements for losses sustained during both full and partial closures due to Covid-19, even if... read more
Tuesday, 19 January 2021
DCMS Minister Caroline Dinenage says the EU did not offer work permits and the Government is focussed on navigating the new landscape rather than negotiating.
Photo:
Richard Townshend
The UK rejected the EU's offer of visa free touring because it was "not compatible" with the Government's goal to "take back control of our borders," DCMS Minister Caroline Dinenage has said.
Dinenage shed some light on the ongoing row over visas for touring in the EU in the House of Commons on... read more
Monday, 18 January 2021
A recent Creative Scotland survey suggests audiences are unlikely to return to pre-Covid levels until the population has been vaccinated.
Photo:
Kim Traynor
Scotland's arts and cultural sector faces a slow and drawn-out recovery from the pandemic, a recent audience survey for Creative Scotland reveals.
Most of the 1101 individuals surveyed in November said they were either in “no hurry” or “not planning to visit cinemas, art galleries, live music... read more
Friday, 15 January 2021
The music industry is up in arms over the licensing body’s plan to impose tariffs of up to 17% on live streaming ticketed performances.
Photo:
Jakob Owens
Punitive tariffs are set to be imposed on ticketed livestream events, sending shockwaves through the music industry.
PRS for Music, the body, which collects and distributes royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers, plans to charge a cut of gross ticket receipts in return... read more
Thursday, 14 January 2021
Drama schools are being urged to axe "absurd" fees for virtual and self-taped auditions to protect diversity in the theatre industry.
Drama schools are facing pressure to provide "temporary amnesty" on audition fees during the pandemic.
Fees for self-taped and virtual auditions can be as high as £55, leading critics to question what's actually being paid for.
Although many schools have cut audition fees or started waiver... read more
Wednesday, 13 January 2021
Parliament will debate whether visa-free work permits should be renegotiated as the Government blames Brussels for rejecting its "ambitious" proposals.
Photo:
William W. Ward
Musicians are outraged at news the UK rejected an offer of visa-free touring during Brexit negotiations.
DCMS, speaking on behalf of the Home Office, has derided the reporting by The Independent as "incorrect and misleading speculation from anonymous EU sources".
A source close to negotiations told... read more
Tuesday, 12 January 2021
With plans to resume activity at a standstill, freelancers face an uphill climb that could scar the theatre industry.
Photo:
Michael Maggs Photography
Spending on freelancers is expected to plummet, even among Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF) recipients.
A new survey of 96 major theatres released on Wednesday by advocacy network Freelancers Make Theatre Work (FMTW) shows they spent an average of 39% of their annual turnover on freelancers pre-... read more
Tuesday, 12 January 2021
A new international report calls for financial support as the timeline for reopening museums lengthens.
Photo:
Alessio Mercuri
Museums should be financially supported to stay open to the public during the pandemic, an international network urges.
The recommendation from the Network of European Museum Organisations (NEMO) comes from a 25-page report that includes results from a November survey of 600 museums across 48... read more
Friday, 08 January 2021
Complex rules, higher costs and visa requirements are set to place new barriers to EU artists working in the UK, even for short-term contracts or single gigs.
The Government’s failure to achieve free movement for creative workers as part of the Brexit deal is creating new hurdles, costs and red tape for EU artists and entertainers coming to the UK, even for short-term contracts.
Re-classified as ‘non-visa nationals’ under Home Office rules, creative... read more