Cardiff campaign to protect grassroots culture

A photo of a red brick building with graffiti
17 May 2019

Community-run organisations are planning “visonary and radical alternatives” as they search for a sustainable way forward amid growing gentrification.

Book review: Persistent Creativity

15 May 2019

Peter Campbell's sceptical critique of the 'creativity agenda' makes for fascinating - if at times uncomfortable - reading, says Andrew Garrad.

ACE pledges £1.5m to grassroots music venues

A band performing on stage
10 May 2019

Previously criticised as “too posh for pop”, Arts Council England has voiced support for genres including rock and hip-hop.

National Portrait Gallery eyes elite status with major redevelopment

Photo of National Portrait Gallery forecourt
26 Apr 2019

The gallery plans to raise its public profile and combat falling visitor numbers by changing the way its collection is displayed and opening a new Learning Centre for visitors of all ages. 

A seat at the table

Photo of Imrana speaking at the Power of Community symposium
24 Apr 2019

Challenging the notion of a ‘hard-to-reach community’ in Luton, Imrana Mahmood explores the need to create pathways that lead to meaningful inclusion.

Cities urged to ‘humanise their buildings’ to help music thrive

Photo of the Beatles
04 Apr 2019

A new report says music can have a powerful impact on the economy and people’s wellbeing, provided places develop the right infrastructure to support it. 

Finding common ground

A group of people listening to a talk
04 Apr 2019

In the wake of budget cuts, local arts groups in Birmingham have come together to help shape a new democratic approach to culture in the city, says Tom Jones.

‘Town of culture’ competition to engage Greater Manchester

Photo of Bolton
29 Mar 2019

The pledge to set up the programme is part of the region’s first ever cultural strategy, which will run for five years until 2024.

Mapping London's cultural riches

Photo of a group of people holding individual letters to spell out "cuture"
28 Mar 2019

City Hall has launched an interactive online map capturing details of the capital’s cultural spaces - from theatres and studios to pubs and creative workspaces. Justine Simons explains how it will support local planners and creative workers.

Bringing libraries to life

Photo of a young man playing a keyboard
28 Mar 2019

Libraries will always be about books and information, but in Manchester they’re also a place for local communities to enjoy live gigs and other arts events. Zoe Williams explains how the transformation has taken place.

Social impact funding to spread Great Exhibition legacy

Photo of Kirkgate Art hostel
26 Mar 2019

Part-grant, part-loan funding backed by the DCMS will be available to creative organisations across the north of England. 

London Mayor releases seven-point plan to protect cultural infrastructure

Photo of Sadiq Khan
22 Mar 2019

A new toolkit includes guidance of what to do if cultural businesses are at risk of closure, and how to repurpose buildings for cultural use. 

Making community arts work

Portrait – people and places of the First Art area by David Severn and Kajal Nisha Patel
21 Mar 2019

What makes socially engaged and participatory arts projects successful? Elizabeth Lynch and Miriam Nelken talked to artists, commissioners and participants to find out.

Public art by popular demand

Photo of public art project outside London Bridge Station - painted bollards
21 Mar 2019

A recent survey found that four in five Londoners would contribute at least £2 towards public art in their local area. Marine Tanguy and Vishal Kumar explore the potential role of citizens in new commissions.

Research to focus on creativity in towns

Photo of Grimsby
15 Mar 2019

A new project, expected to publish findings by the autumn, will assess cultural funding, infrastructure and participation in towns across England.

Funders join forces with business to support culture in Cornwall

Photo of musicians playing on the street
01 Mar 2019

A new three-year Memorandum of Understanding pledges to promote inclusive growth and defend Cornish cultural distinctiveness.

Working with real people

Photo of a group of skateboarders
28 Feb 2019

Opening up decision-making about what art gets made and by whom doesn't lead to people 'playing it safe', but to programmes that engage more people, more deeply. Tamsin Curror examines the evidence.

The show must go on

Photo of four performers, two juggling in the background, and the lead dancing in the foreground
21 Feb 2019

Circus was created to fill a gap left by ‘serious’ theatre. Now a new generation of performers is rejecting bureaucratisation to rediscover the artform's anarchic roots, writes John Ellingsworth.

Mayor launches trust to support affordable artist workspaces

A man wearing gloves working with tools at a table
08 Feb 2019

The Creative Land Trust, backed by seed funding of £4m from City Hall and £2m from Arts Council England, will seek additional finance from property developers and ask London councils to safeguard affordable workspaces.

South West towns join forces in ‘creative coastline’ vision

Photo of Inside Out Festival, Poole
25 Jan 2019

Arts organisations in the new Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch city region have backed a new long-term enquiry into placing culture at the heart of local life.

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