Tuesday, 05 December 2023
A campaign group hoping to reopen a theatre in Somerset says it has been given backing from the local community.
The BBC reports that Let's Buy The Amulet campaign recently carried out a survey to gauge public opinion on purchasing the Shepton Mallet venues, revealing that the response was "overwhelmingly positive".
The building was used as a theatre after being built in 1974 but went into... read more
Tuesday, 05 December 2023
A music venue in Bath that has hosted some of the biggest names in UK music has closed with immediate effect.
The Music Venue Trust said that the city's Moles venue has filed for insolvency, stating that the rise in costs and overheads and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis have made it impossible to continue.
Since opening its doors in 1978, the 220-capacity venue has hosted acts including... read more
Monday, 04 December 2023
Creative UK has unveiled a bullying and harassment resource designed to help improve and professionalise behaviours across the creative industries.
‘It’s NOT OK’ is a free-to-use e-learning module that aims to inform workers in the arts sector about prevalent behavioural issues and offer guidance on how to seek help.
The project follows a series of industry roundtables with the Department of... read more
Monday, 04 December 2023
Festival organisers are struggling to book big names in the UK as they are no longer an appealing destination for headline acts, it has been claimed.
The Observer reports the situation has arisen due to rising costs, increased competition and Brexit. Organisers say US acts, in particular, are proving challenging to tempt over as their financial expectations in a dynamic pricing landscape exceed... read more
Monday, 04 December 2023
The Lowry has invested in a wellbeing service to provide mental health support for its 650 staff.
The Manchester venue has signed up for a wellbeing streaming service provided by Frog Systems to give staff access to expert videos, podcasts, films and digital resources around wellbeing as well as a directory of support organisations in the UK.
The Lowry said the streaming service will sit... read more
Monday, 04 December 2023
A total of 14 theatre and dance projects have received funding to tour communities across Scotland.
Among those receiving a share of £2m National Lottery funding through Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance are Dogstar Theatre Company, based in the Scottish Highlands around Inverness, and Lyth Arts Centre, Scotland’s most northerly mainland arts centre based in Caithness.... read more
Friday, 01 December 2023
A museum was prevented from reopening after a health and safety inspection discovered "hazardous substances risks", according to a heritage organisation.
The Wirral Transport Museum and Tramway was closed on 20 April by Wirral Council following an inspection by the Office of Road and Rail (ORR), which found “significant contraventions of health and safety law” both in the building and in the... read more
An exciting future for Wirral Transport Museum (Big Heritage)
Thursday, 30 November 2023
A free outdoor festival held in Birmingham had a positive economic and cultural impact on the city, according to a new report.
Birmingham Festival 23 was held over nine days in Centenary Park this summer to mark the first anniversary of the city hosting the Commonwealth Games.
The event comprised 153 projects and performances from more than 800 artists and saw a footfall of 123,500, with local... read more
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
The organisation behind Vault Festival has announced plans to move into a new venue in central London to host its next festival in autumn 2024.
Vault Festival of live performance has taken place at The Vaults, a theatre and creative space beneath London Waterloo station, since 2012. Earlier this year, the venue announced it would no longer host the event, putting its future in doubt.
Vault says... read more
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Thanet Council has revealed plans to restore and modernise Theatre Royal Margate in a bid to transform the Grade II* listed venue into a “nationally significant performing arts hub”.
Proposals put forward for public review include adding a bar and cafe, a 50-seat studio theatre and sound recording studio to the 245-year-old building, as well as rehearsal rooms, offices and accommodation for... read more
Public invited to feedback on plans for the Theatre Royal in Margate (Thanet Council)
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
A project to restore a derelict section of Alexandra Palace has been awarded £550k from Historic England’s at-risk programme.
The funding will be used to stabilise the Palace’s North East Office Building and go toward feasibility work looking at how the space can be developed for public benefit.
It marks the latest phase of a major restoration project of the seven-acre site, funded by the... read more
Tuesday, 28 November 2023
The League of Independent Producers (LIP) has launched a dedicated membership programme to help early career producers establish themselves in the theatre industry.
LIP's Junior Member programme offers an initial 12 months’ free membership followed by a subsidised membership for two years. Participants in the scheme will receive mentoring, professional development and access to events.
The scheme... read more
Tuesday, 28 November 2023
A Lancashire museum undergoing roof repairs has delayed its reopening until next year due to severe weather conditions.
Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery closed temporarily on 1 November to allow for work to take place and was expected to reopen on 29 November. The £554,700 roof replacement scheme is partly funded by Arts Council England’s (ACE) Museum Estate and Development fund.
A spokesperson... read more
Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery reopening date delayed (Lancashire Telegraph)
Tuesday, 28 November 2023
Dartington Summer School and Festival, held in Devon for 75 years, will move to Norfolk in 2024.
Attracting hundreds of professional and amateur musicians, the festival has taken place at Dartington Hall near Exeter since 1953, but earlier this month, the estate’s trust said the event was "under review". The trust also announced that Artistic Director Sara Mohr-Pietsch and the summer school team... read more
Monday, 27 November 2023
The Portico Library in Manchester has been awarded a £453,964 development grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The money will be used to transform the historic library, creating an accessible and sustainable space for arts, books, learning and history.
Established in 1806, the library will now partner with experts and community stakeholders to trial plans for a £7m capital development... read more