The value of live theatre
As drama is downgraded in our schools, Fiona Banks explains why it is essential for young people to see theatre live on stage.
Posts
In times of conflict
Art can ask difficult questions and help people engage with complex topics. With conflict and political divisions spreading across…
An inconvenient truth
Joe Hallgarten proposes a new solution to the uncomfortable fact that attendance at taxpayer-subsidised arts events remains stubbo…
Why Quality Metrics is a really bad idea
Liz Hill tells NPOs, ‘just say no’ to a fundamentally flawed scheme that will reveal more about the nature of the audi…
Reflecting the world
No wonder there is so much talk about the death of opera when people are excluded from it all the time, says Bill Bankes-Jones. Bu…
Unlocking cultural potential
UK cities must be granted freedoms to attract inward investment and build the country’s reputation as a creative powerhouse,…
Calm consideration
As the debate over whether London needs a new concert hall becomes more divisive, Jodi Myers says it’s time for some careful…
Still dismal times for disability
Angry at the continuing discrimination against disabled people as well as the inadequate access in many venues, Andrew Miller refl…
A mental makeover for classical music
Tired of seeing classical music magazines filled with middle-aged white faces, James Fleury proposes four ‘mental makeovers&…
What does a Trump presidency mean for the arts?
Will Donald Trump, a liberal arts graduate, be enamoured by an industry with an envious return on investment? Or will his governme…
Bursting some bubbles
At Spektrix’s annual conference Vikki Heywood explored the mindsets and mythologies that influence the performing arts today…
The subtle art of community engagement
Working in local authority arts development was where Martin Cox learned to listen, understand and value people as much as he valu…
Process is vital to excellence in community arts, says report
The Creative People and Places scheme should prompt new thinking about the role of communities in delivering arts programmes in ar…
To those angry at me
Adam Taylor, an organiser of the NewHorizons16 conference on diversity and inclusion, responds to one of the day’s themes: o…
Metrics to measure arts quality? The sector speaks out
Following AP’s coverage of Arts Council England’s plans to impose a standardised system for measuring artistic quality…
The reluctant mutant
He’s been called Nigerian, Black British and oyinbo, but Inua Ellams just feels normal. He calls for the destruction of &lsq…
Turning back the clock?
Will Jeremy Corbyn’s promise to “restore” Grant in Aid to the arts councils help reinforce Labour’s reputa…
Who’s afraid of Manchester?
The Northern Powerhouse plans may be turning Manchester into a cultural tour de force, but it will be a force that benefits the wh…
Exposing ethical questions
Following revelations that BP influenced curatorial decisions at the British Museum, Chris Garrard examines how arts organisations…
Sustaining a democratic and caring society
The EBacc debate in Westminster prompts Patrycja Kaszynska to reflect on the role of the arts as a force for political and ci…
A capable band of women
Astounded by the sexist remarks she received while touring a theatre production with an all-female crew, Sarah Brown tries to make…
The best road to a different future
Twenty-five years after writing an article about his concern for ‘the future of black arts’, David Bryan considers whe…
Referendum as research
A yes/no referendum on museum free entry would be a terrible idea, so why did the Government think it was an acceptable way of dec…
White noise
Achieving greater diversity in the arts isn’t rocket science, says Ammo Talwar, but it is time for big actions.
