Friday, 07 August 2020
New scientific research reveals that ventilation is key to reducing airborne transmission of Covid-19. Some performance venues already have adequate systems in place.
Ventilation is more effective at protecting against airborne transmission of the Covid-19 virus than social distancing or PPE – and “many performance venues have the capability to provide good levels of ventilation,” according to Government advisers.
Research and analysis from SAGE, the Government’s scientific advisory group for emergencies, found that ventilation is a “primary mitigation for... read more
Friday, 07 August 2020
Big cultural showcases bring million-pound increases to larger cities' budgets as London falls behind.
Photo:
Coventry 2021
English councils budgeted more for culture this financial year than in 2019/20, reversing an established pattern of decline.
The fall in local authority culture budgets slowed to about 1% in 2019/20 compared to annual cuts of about 2% since 2014/15. Over five years, council's culture budgets were... read more
'Heritage is more than Downton Abbey': RSA and British Council call for 'radical' shake-up of sector
Friday, 07 August 2020
Heritage can grow the UK's post-Covid economy - but only if it starts "telling the stories of more diverse parts of Britain".
Photo:
Zack Davidson
Heritage could help grow the UK's post-Covid economy if it becomes more diverse and inclusive, according to a new report.
A "radical" shake-up that broadens the appeal of heritage by encouraging more local collaboration and "telling the stories of more diverse parts of Britain" is needed now to... read more
Friday, 07 August 2020
Without financial support, small organisations will make little progress in diversifying their income streams as they lack the resources to develop fundraising strategies.
Small arts organisations that received financial support from an Arts Council England (ACE) programme to develop their fundraising capacity were able to diversify their income streams to a minor extent, according to a new report.
But an evaluation of ACE’s Catalyst: Evolve programme found that... read more
Thursday, 06 August 2020
Some UK arts organisations have used the Covid crisis to "dramatically increase" income from donations, but the overall picture remains grim.
Customer loyalty will be key to maintaining income from donations as uncertainty over the long-term impact of the coronavirus continues, a new survey suggests.
Management consultants TRG Arts and arts data specialists Purple Seven compared donated income at 39 non-profit venues in the UK in 2019... read more
Friday, 31 July 2020
With indoor performances allowed to resume this weekend, how safe and successful have trial events been?
Photo:
Mark Hillary
Pilots of socially-distanced indoor performances indicate that current guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus will work, according to the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO).
LSO has run five pilot concerts at its St Luke's chamber hall since July 17 as part of the Government's plan to reopen... read more
Friday, 31 July 2020
Artists and creatives stand on the brink of financial disaster following announcements that the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund will be ringfenced for organisations at imminent risk of failure.
Photo:
Fabrice Florin
Freelancers have hit out at claims by “the great and the good” that the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund will make a big difference across the cultural sector, saying “we were standing on a precipice – we have just been pushed over the edge”.
The £500m being distributed by Arts Council England (... read more
Wednesday, 29 July 2020
Tough choices for Government spending are ahead, with departments being told to reprioritise, deliver savings and provide evidence they are delivering efficiently.
Photo:
Ian Espinosa on Unsplash
Future arts funding is at risk as Government departments are told to reprioritise spending to salvage the UK economy.
The Government is now preparing for an autumn Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) that will set DCMS budgets until 2024 and in turn determine budgets for Arts Council England (ACE... read more
Wednesday, 29 July 2020
Arts organisations can apply for up to £3m - but those that need more must pay it back.
Photo:
Lorie Shaull
Arts organisations have been given £500m - one third of the Government's £1.57bn culture rescue package.
DCMS announced the first tranches of the long-awaited funding on Tuesday, entrusting Arts Council England (ACE) to distribute the £500m Arts Recovery Fund. Organisations will be able to apply... read more
Tuesday, 28 July 2020
The newly-launched inquiry into diversity in the capital's public realm will be guided by Black cultural groups and Arts Council England.
Photo:
dimitrisvetsikas1969
A new commission will consider whether statues, street names and public artworks in London should be removed or given historical context.
The Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm will help "tell the full story of our history," Mayor Sadiq Khan says.
While the representation of women,... read more
Friday, 24 July 2020
Tate Gallery will be one of the beneficiaries of the Government’s £1.57bn bailout. But as major organisations consult on redundancies, rumours are flying as to who else will – or won’t – receive funding.
Photo:
Nathan Hughes Hamilton
Tate Gallery has confirmed it will receive funding from a £1.57bn bailout package as other organisations wait for Government to share out the investment.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the package, announced early in July, aims to preserve the “crown jewels” of the UK arts sector. There are... read more
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Thursday, 23 July 2020
Nuffield Southampton Theatres was cited as an early victim of the Covid-19 crisis when it went into administration in May. But a new report reveals the venue was in trouble before the lockdown began.
Photo:
Mayflower Theatre
Studio 144, the former home of Nuffield Southampton Theatres, will live on under new management as Southampton City Council makes plans for its future.
The Mayflower Theatre Trust, which runs a 2,300-seat venue in the city, is now in talks with the council and its partners over the future... read more