News

London drama school ArtsEd has revealed it will delay publishing a public statement and summary of conclusions from an investigation into alleged misconduct by its senior leadership team.

The school's Acting Chair, Farida Mannan, said that although an update had been due on 30 April, it would now be deferred until 28 June.

Earlier this year, the board appointed barrister Ghazaleh Rezaie to independently investigate allegations of misconduct and bullying made against Principal Julie Spencer.

Spencer herself was appointed in 2022 after a previous independent review led to the resignation of former principal Chris Hocking.

The 2021 barrister-led investigation found that ArtsEd had a “sexualized environment” and demonstrated a “lack of regard” for the wellbeing of students, exposing them to favouritism, bullying and other misconduct.

Recent allegations against Spencer were made by students, alumni and former staff in Deadline and described a “toxic” and unsafe culture. ArtsEd has strongly disputed the claims.

In February, an employment tribunal heard a former staff member describe a “culture of fear” at ArtsEd and express unease about Spencer and her deputy, Yewande Akindele's leadership.

Spencer is currently on medical leave but has denied the allegations against her.

Cleveland Orchestra has reportedly withdrawn from performances in the UK over cost concerns, according to a report in Slipped Disc.

The orchestra had reportedly accepted invitations to play at both the BBC Proms and the Edinburgh Festival as part of a ten-stop European tour this summer.

Slipped Disc claims the orchestra would have incurred a sizeable financial loss from the UK stops, which neither m usic festival could compensate for.

Several commentators have noted the absence of an American orchestra from this year's Proms season.  

A campaign group has written an open letter to the Charity Commission expressing “deep anxiety” over the financial management of Seven Dials Playhouse after the charity failed to submit its annual return and financial statements, which are 89 days overdue.

In their letter, the campaign group Actor at the Centre (AATC) calls on the Charity Commission to “urgently engage” with the trustees at Seven Dials Playhouse to ensure they are “giving due consideration to the representations of the performing arts community in London" and "properly accounting to the public for their management of the charity”.

Formally known as The Actors Centre, the Covent Garden-based charity was founded in 1978 by patron Sir Lawrence Olivier to “create a space where working actors can network and support each other as well as continue their professional training”.

During the pandemic, the organisation was forced to close its premises, losing over half its membership. It received over £450,000 in financial support, including £360,000 from the Cultural Recovery Fund and in 2021, rebranded to become Seven Dials Playhouse, ditching its former membership model.

AATC claims the building was “repurposed” during Covid and has become a West End receiving house with regular ongoing acting training “effectively eliminated”. 

A statement from Seven Dials Theatre read out at an AATC meeting on 22 April did not directly address concerns over its financial management but did note that as a charity that is not publicly subsidised, its income is earned through ticket sales, industry and corporate hires and bar sales.

The organisation said the cost-of-living crisis and changes in audience behaviour made “forecasting income extremely challenging”.
It added that "as soon as it is viable", it plans to continue “a programme of professional and artist development".

The Charity Commission said it would be reminding the charity of its reporting responsibilities.

More than £100,000 in grants will be split between 24 theatres across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales through the Theatres Trust Small Grants Programme.

The scheme, run with The Linbury Trust, funds projects with up to £5,000 to improve the resilience, sustainability, or accessibility of theatres by making building improvements.

Recipients of the latest round of funding include Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Almeida Theatre in London, Blackpool Grand Theatre, Colchester Arts Centre, Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland, Tyne Theatre and Opera House in Newcastle and The Welfare Ystradgynlais in Swansea.

Jon Morgan, Theatres Trust Director, said: "Theatres Trust is delighted to be able to support more theatres with small projects to make a big impact to their sustainability, accessibility and inclusivity, as well as vital maintenance projects. 

"This is the largest round of this scheme to date, with the high number and wide range of projects demonstrating the demand for investment in the UK’s theatre buildings to ensure they are fit for current and future audiences."

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.

Building work to transform a former industrial building in Loughborough into a creative arts centre will begin this month.

The BBC reports that the £2.5m project to create a large-capacity, multi-purpose cultural centre for the town at the Generator Hall is due to be completed by next spring.

The Generator CIC, a community interest company managed by volunteers, said it has "been working hard for several years" to transform the 1930s building.

In addition to £1.8m previously secured from various channels, £700,000 from the government's Community Ownership Fund was confirmed on 22 December, allowing contracts to be signed and builders to be arranged.

David Pagett-Wright, Chair of the Generator CIC, said: "Alongside this amazing breakthrough, we've been working incredibly hard behind the scenes for reasons we can now reveal.

"When we went to tender in July 2023, we discovered that recent, exceptional inflation in building costs had made our established plans no longer feasible. We hit quite a wall.

"We had to re-work our plans, creating a two-stage approach, and then go back to our main funders to get their agreement. Thankfully, all are on board with this approach."

Attendees at the Northern Music Awards in Manchester have criticised a lack of support for young musicians.

Speaking to The Guardian at the event, singer and songwriter Lisa Stansfield said: “There aren’t enough platforms for young musicians. It’s made very, very difficult by this government for them to do anything.

"They don’t have any money, and they’re being charged to go everywhere to do gigs. It’s disgusting, really. And this government don’t care."

Lilly Fontaine from Leeds band English Teacher noted that the nationwide local radio programme BBC Introducing had been integral to their success, but said that type of showcase for regional talent was at risk after the broadcaster announced it was cutting its local programmes to save costs last year. 

Fontaine said: “I think that was a shame because I think that having a lot of industry people in the regional areas really helps – it really helped us. I think filling those gaps, those elements that have been taken away, with something else would be great.”

Meanwhile, The Charlatans singer, Tim Burgess, said it was also necessary to address nationwide issues, such as better pay for musicians. “We need to look at it and try to make sure there’s equality,” he said.

The Swan Theatre in Worcester has been added to a list of organisations set to benefit from a share of £5m of Levelling Up funding after Worcester City Council (WCC) was given an extension on submitting its spending plans.

The council was originally expected to deliver its final plan on 10 May, but the deadline has been moved to 3 June.

The original spending strategy included awarding £1.6m to create space for more events and exhibitions at the Corn Exchange, £900,000 to create a sustainable events venue at Pitchcroft and £742,000 to refurbish the Gheluvelt Park bandstand.

In its updated proposal, which was put before the Policy and Resources Committee on 23 April, the council has added a £155,000 grant to The Swan Theatre to improve the foyer and accessibility, including a new lift, accessible toilet, and changing facilities.

Just two years ago, The Swan was saved from closure after Worcester City Council scrapped plans to sell it off to fund a multimillion-pound project to build a new arts venue in the city on the site of the listed Scala Theatre and Corn Exchange buildings.

Other projects added to WCC's Levelling Up proposals include £65,000 for a mobile music vehicle £65,000, £350,000 to acquire a building as office and storage space for the Scala, and £22,000 on a portable outdoor stage.