Policy & Funding
Library destroyed by riots reopens after community response
A Liverpool library and community hub forced to close after being vandalised during the summer has reopened following an outpouring of local and national support. Spellow Library,…
Bradford theatre company closes due to ‘precarious’ funding climate
Freedom Studios will begin winding down its operations, with its work anticipated to cease at the end of the current financial year. In a statement, the Bradford-based new writing…
National Theatre Wales ‘ceases to exist’ as company adopts new model after grant cut
National Theatre Wales (NTW) will no longer exist in its current form following the loss of its core funding from Arts Council Wales (ACW) in 2023, the organisation has said. Speak…
Former Portfolio Organisation announces closure amid ‘challenging funding landscape’
London-based immersive arts organisation Coney has announced that it will close in April 2025 after over 16 years of operation due to funding challenges. The charity, which creates…
DCMS expects to lose over £25m in Covid loan repayments
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will not recover between £24.9m and £28.7m in repayments from Covid-era support loans issued to cultural and sport organisation…
CMS Committee opens inquiry into built heritage
The Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee will conduct a new inquiry into how to prevent the loss and decline of historic buildings and other heritage sites. The inquiry’s scope…
Nandy confirms new ACE review headed by Hodge will consider ‘wider cultural funding ecosystem’
A new review of Arts Council England (ACE) will look at the role the funding body plays in the wider arts and culture ecosystem, an announcement from the Department for Culture, Me…
Public urged to report council culture cuts as research reveals 50% drop in arts spending
The Campaign for the Arts (CFTA) has launched an open call for information about new proposed cuts to arts funding as local authorities set their budgets for next year. Local autho…
Nandy: ‘We haven’t scrapped Archer ACE review’
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has countered assertions that the Labour government has “scrapped” a review of Arts Council England that was started under the Conservatives. Nandy…
Welsh arts budget rise won’t heal sector’s ‘gaping wound’
Arts organisations in Wales have tentatively welcomed the country’s draft budget for the next financial year as a positive first step for the sector after significant cuts in previ…
Research highlights cities in need of more creative investment
A study has highlighted UK cities that could benefit from further support to drive industry growth in the creative sector. The Creative Funding report, by Nottinghamshire-based des…
Baroness Hodge touted to lead Arts Council England review
Labour Peer Baroness Hodge is thought to have been selected to lead a review of Arts Council England (ACE), according to a report from Sky News, with her appointment expected to be…
Welsh arts get ‘disappointing’ uplift in ‘optimistic budget’
The Welsh government has allocated the culture sector an additional £6m in its draft budget proposal for 2025-2026, following an £11.9m funding cut to the sector last year. The i…
Three quarters of Northern Ireland’s arts funding goes to Belfast
Belfast received almost three times as much arts funding as all the other constituencies in Northern Ireland combined in the last financial year, according to the Belfast Telegraph…
Bryant reveals timeline for grassroots music ticket levy
Arts Minister Chris Bryant has said the government wants to see a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to come into effect “as soon as possible” in 2025. In a letter add…
Starmer signs deals to share UK’s cultural expertise with Saudi Arabia
The UK government has made multiple partnership deals agreeing to share the country’s “top-tier” expertise in culture, heritage and tourism with Saudi Arabia. Under arrangeme…
City of London approves £191m Barbican upgrade
The Barbican is to get a substantial overhaul after the City of London approved £191 million in funding to renovate the Grade II listed venue. Revamping the existing building was…
ACE unveils details of Elevate programme to support diverse-led organisations
The timeline for Arts Council England’s next National Portfolio Investment Programme has been announced alongside details of Elevate, which provides developmental support for div…
Equity members rally to save east London community performance space
Members of the performers and creative workers’ union Equity have rallied outside the east London offices of Newham Council in support of a local community performance space which…
Scottish arts boost welcomed but concerns remain over council budgets
After months of uncertainty and campaigning, arts and culture organisations have warmly received the Scottish government’s draft budget (4 December), which included an additional…
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