ACE leaves diversity scheme over value-for-money concerns

Stonewall UK group marching at the gay London Pride event 2011.
07 May 2024

ACE is one of at least 30 public bodies, including Tate, V&A and the Museum of London, to withdraw from Stonewall's workplace Diversity Champions programme in recent years.

Time for a national youth arts trust?

Teenagers in an art class
18 Apr 2024

There has been a massive decline in arts for young people over the last 15 years. So much so that Joe Hallgarten thinks we need a dedicated national organisation to repair the damage. The current review of ACE might provide an opportunity.

Will the restoration of Stormont benefit the arts in Northern Ireland?

Production shot from Agreement by Owen McCafferty
20 Feb 2024

With the return of devolved government to Northern Ireland, Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive of Arts Council Northern Ireland, reflects on what it might mean for the arts and cultural sector. 

Joining the dots for better cultural policy

Light installation in Leeds
14 Feb 2024

As Anna Kime begins working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, she explores how integrated data and evaluation can aid decision making and ensure the UK’s cultural and creative sectors continue to be world-leading. 

We are all philanthropists

Graphic showing aerial view of people holding hands in concentric circles
01 Feb 2024

The Secretary of State for Culture, Lucy Frazer, has called for an attitude shift towards philanthropy to boost arts funding. But that view, writes Caroline McCormick, fails to recognise the huge contribution of the 99%.

Council urged to ditch cultural regeneration plans

CGI image of the Our Cultural Heart plans showing the new food hall and public square
14 May 2024

Think tank calls for Kirklees Council to abandon plans to demolish a former shopping centre that currently houses artists, community groups and new business startups.

MPs back ticket levy to support grassroots music

A music performance at a grassroots venue
14 May 2024

Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee says it wants big arena operators to establish voluntary ticket levy scheme by September.

Arts Council Northern Ireland publishes 10-year strategy

Arts Council Northern Ireland's Liam Hannaway, Karly Greene, and Roisin McDonough, along with musician Gary Lightbody (second from right)
08 May 2024

Generating more income for the arts sector from private, public and philanthropic funders will be central to Arts Council Northern Ireland's plans for the next decade.

Dorfman Theatre to close for 'urgent' renovation

Low-angle view of the main entrance to the Royal National Theatre in London
08 May 2024

A decade on from its reopening, the Dorfman Theatre is due to close for “urgent” renovations and infrastructure upgrades partly funded by government investment.

Full scale of university arts cuts emerges

01 May 2024

Research highlights extent of universities reducing their provision of creative courses and cutting staff.

Royal Albert Hall drops request for more private seats

The Royal Albert Hall viewed from the centre of the Gallery.
30 Apr 2024

A private bill put to parliament by the Royal Albert Hall had sought to grant its governing body the power to sell an extra 52 seats to investors.

Central Bedfordshire consults on first arts strategy

29 Apr 2024

Residents and cultural organisations are being asked to share their views on a draft strategy for the future of arts and culture in Central Bedfordshire.

Central Bedfordshire Council said the draft strategy, which will become the district's first arts and culture strategy, sets goals to create a "thriving cultural landscape" over the next five years.

A consultation on a draft library services strategy for the next five years is also being held.

Mary Walsh, the council's Executive Member responsible for libraries, arts and culture, said: "A vibrant arts and cultural scene can help communities come together, increase footfall in our town centres and villages, promote health and wellbeing, and give people a sense of pride in where they live. 

"Evidence shows it can also create a prosperous economy, enriching lives through diverse cultural experiences.  

"Our library services strategy emphasises our commitment to ensuring libraries continue to be vibrant community spaces, as well as high-quality centres for learning and participation that are accessible to all.

"It’s important that both these strategies align with community aspirations and needs. We urge people to get involved with this consultation, look at the work we have done so far, which sets out a series of actions to help us achieve our aims, and help shape the future of arts and culture and our library services in Central Bedfordshire."

The Libraries Strategy consultation is open until 23 June, and the Arts and Culture Strategy consultation is open until 21 July.

Debbonaire: Possible further ACE review under Labour

screengrab of Thangam Debbonaire
25 Apr 2024

Shadow Culture Secretary says Arts Council England would be 'central to a decade of national renewal' under a Labour government.

A cultural revolution in the arts

Image of three faces with mouths taped closed
24 Apr 2024

Co-Founder of Freedom in the Arts, Rosie Kay, thinks the arts in the UK have strayed into a culture of intolerance, which has led to cancellation and a climate of self-censorship that has to be addressed. 

Patience 'wearing thin' over fair pay deal for music creators

24 Apr 2024

First meeting of group tasked with achieving cross-industry consensus on how much musicians make from streaming begins with call for action to 'ensure the UK remains a competitive marketplace for music-making'.

The race for London’s City Hall

Image of autin dance theatre
24 Apr 2024

Voters across England go to the polls next week (2 May) to elect many thousands of new councillors and 10 metro mayors – one of them being the Mayor of London. Phoebe Gardiner outlines what mayoral hopefuls need to understand about the capital’s culture.

MP raises issue of lack of artist studio space

23 Apr 2024

An MP has spoken in Parliament about concerns over a shortage of "essential" studio and exhibition spaces for artists in Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable.

Andrew Selous, South West Bedfordshire MP, told Ministers: “Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable and many other parts of my constituency are blessed with an abundance of artists, painters, sculptors and others, but they have very few places where they can create their work and even fewer places in which to exhibit. They need more studio space and more workspaces.

"Providing such spaces should be essential – it aids economic activity, increases footfall and increases wellbeing.”

Julia Lopez, Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries, replied: "The Government are committed to encouraging local authorities and property owners to make spaces available for cultural activities.

"Arts Council England is already supporting artists’ spaces through funding and brokering partnerships. 

“As I say, we support creative industries primarily through Arts Council England, which has initiatives that look at workspaces. I encourage organisations in his constituency and community to make applications for grants, because there are specific funds available.

Government ‘falling short’ on action to protect women in music

The hands of a woman using a mixing desk
23 Apr 2024

MPs and music industry bodies criticise government's rejection of recommendations aimed at making the music industry safer for women.

Creative UK publishes ‘radical’ election manifesto

23 Apr 2024

Calls for a Freelance Commissioner and Cultural Touring Agreement are among the proposals outlined in the manifesto, which covers skills and education, freelancing, investment, innovation, intellectual property and global power.

Concerns raised over Ireland’s lack of Arts Council Chair 

22 Apr 2024

Arts leaders and politicians in Ireland have criticised Arts and Media Minister Catherine Martin for taking over four months to appoint a Chair to the Arts Council.

Her department recently confirmed that there are currently 17 vacancies on boards of national cultural institutions across Ireland, including the role of Chair at the Arts Council - An Chomhairle Ealaíon - which has been empty since Kevin Rafter's departure, announced on 1 December last year.

The Fianna Fáil TD (a member of the lower house of the Irish Parliament) told the Irish Mail on Sunday: "This delay is most regrettable. It creates the impression that arts and culture are some sort of decorous side issue to be left on the political sideline to be waved at. This is a substantial budget which needs to be supervised appropriately."

"The arts play a key role in building wellbeing in communities, in tourism and in job creation. It is not politically wise or responsible to leave the sector without leadership," added the Cavan-Monaghan TD.

Niamh Smyth, head of the Oireachtas Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, said that cultural bodies and arts organisations “are becoming gravely concerned over the long delay in appointing a new chair”.

Sinn Féin senator Fintan Warfield previously raised the issue last month, saying: “It is now March 2024, and there is no chairperson of the Arts Council, a state agency with a budget of €130m."

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