Thursday, 20 February 2020
ArtsProfessional’s Freedom of Expression survey reveals gagging orders, bullying and a culture of fear are causing arts and cultural workers to stay silent.
A culture of self-censorship and fear of backlash from funders, colleagues and the public is convincing arts and cultural workers to stay silent on important issues, according to new research from ArtsProfessional.
AP’s Freedom of Expression survey has uncovered pressures on arts workers’ ability to speak out ranging from the fear of harassment and humiliation to more overt measures like non-... read more
Friday, 07 February 2020
DCMS is being told to revise its budget and local authorities plan to cut back on arts and culture services.
Photo:
Subcity WestEnd Festival
DCMS has been told to revise its spending ahead of next month’s Budget, presenting a new threat to the arts and culture it funds.
All Government departments must identify projects that can be culled to free up cash for Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s key objectives – extra funding for the NHS,... read more
Friday, 17 January 2020
ArtsProfessional’s Freedom of Expression survey reveals widespread fears of being labelled pro-Brexit and evidence of Brexit views affecting artistic and funding decisions.
Photo:
Sarah McGiven
Arts workers are too scared to share potentially unpopular opinions about Brexit, with many in the sector considering a pro-Brexit stance akin to “career suicide”.
And some have even faced threats or sanctions for expressing their views.
Early analysis of responses to ArtsProfessional’s recent... read more
1
Friday, 21 February 2020
If enacted it would allow the host theatre to refund ‘offended’ ticket buyers at the touring company’s expense.
AP has learned two theatre companies are in negotiation over a contractual clause that gives the venue power to demand a touring production change material that might offend audiences - or face a potential fine.
The two companies have been at an impasse over the clause since the beginning of the... read more
Thursday, 20 February 2020
DCMS has welcomed two new ministerial posts and a former Culture Secretary after widespread speculation it would be dismantled.
Photo:
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Five new DCMS Ministers have been appointed, giving the department a fresh start following discussions about downsizing.
There was widespread speculation prior to the General Election that responsibility for digital matters would be removed from DCMS. But a Cabinet reshuffle last week instead... read more
Thursday, 20 February 2020
New research says that “when it comes to reaching more diverse and younger audiences … digital may be having less of an impact now than when the study began in 2013”.
Digital technologies are having less impact on audiences as cash-strapped arts organisations become more risk averse, a study says.
Research from Arts Council England (ACE) and innovation foundation Nesta has revealed “a widening gulf” between large and small organisations’ capacity and capability... read more
Tuesday, 18 February 2020
The museum will continue to receive £220k a year from Arts Council England as well as an extra £100k to explore different business models.
Photo:
Ethan Doyle White
The Jewish Museum London (JML) has withdrawn from Arts Council England’s (ACE) National Portfolio and its Director has resigned amid financial struggles.
The institution will continue to receive annual funding from ACE. It will be granted £220,000 in of 2020/21 and 2021/22 as well as an extra £100,... read more
Friday, 14 February 2020
Dowden’s record suggests he will focus more on the digital part of his portfolio than culture.
Photo:
gdsteam
Oliver Dowden has been appointed Culture Secretary in Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle and pundits are now puzzling over what impact he might have on the portfolio.
The former Paymaster General and Deputy Chief of Staff to David Cameron has not made any public reference to the arts since joining... read more
Thursday, 13 February 2020
Future arts funding depends on National Lottery returns rapidly increasing when a Government cash injection expires next year.
Photo:
Paisley Scotland
Funding for culture in Scotland is at a standstill as the Government waits for National Lottery sales to improve.
Scotland’s Government committed to spend £1.6m more on culture, tourism and major events in its 2020/21 Budget, released last week. The £231.4m allocation is 0.7% higher than this year’... read more
Thursday, 13 February 2020
Wiltshire Council says it now knows asking for experienced, skilled and pre-vetted volunteers “was not the right approach”.
Photo:
David Martin
A local authority has withdrawn an advertisement for a volunteer community artist after it was criticised as “ridiculous”, “exploitative” and an insult to the profession.
Wiltshire Council acknowledged this as a mistake on Wednesday, issuing a statement from its Cabinet Member for Arts, Councillor... read more
Wednesday, 12 February 2020
A political opponent has accused London Mayor Sadiq Khan of “cronyism” after his appointee and friend received money from the city’s culture budget.
Photo:
BreakingTravelNews
London’s Night Czar was paid £1000 to host a Borough of Culture event as a “freelance performer”, the Greater London Authority (GLA) has confirmed.
Amy Lamé, appointed in 2016 to stimulate the city’s night-time economy, was independently employed to MC and DJ the Waltham Forest Borough of Culture... read more
Tuesday, 11 February 2020
There is a bigger audience for Welsh music than ever before, but a lack of long-term thinking means there aren’t venues, promoters and services to support artists.
Photo:
Mr.TinDC
Welsh music has been hobbled by a lack of strategy, infrastructure and support services for artists, the country’s National Assembly has heard.
Culture professionals, producers and musicians submitting to the assembly’s inquiry into live music say there is a growing interest in Welsh-language music... read more