Latest Opinion
How will Trump’s policies impact funding for UK arts?
In light of President Trump’s funding decisions in the USA, Cause4’s Michelle Wright and Thomas Williams explore how cuts to USAID and DEI budgets might impact the future of arts funding in the UK.
Leading with purpose – and knowing when to move on
If the UK is to remain a global leader in the performing arts, leadership needs a rethink – not just in terms of who holds the rol…
The lessons we learned from Covid – then forgot
In the first of our series reflecting on the pandemic five years on, Splitpixel’s Lauren James is sad that some of the lessons l…
How devolution could revitalise the future of UK arts
The announcement last week of additional funding for the arts was very welcome news but, says Matthew Cleaver of Anvil Arts, more…
Outreach is essential to widening access to the arts
Taking shows into classrooms and community halls is vital to breaking down barriers and redressing the balance in arts provision,…
Soft power: The role of culture in a hyper-globalised world
The new Soft Power Council has been set up in response to a volatile world at a time when democracy is in peril. So, writes Meliss…
Making a difference in cultural policy
The Cultural Policy Unit is a new, independent think tank dedicated to formulating bold, imaginative and practical policy ideas in…
A riposte from the margins
In response to Nick Hytner’s recent dismissal of the concerns of a new generation of artists as ‘ill-informed’, Chrissie Til…
Should you stay on unsafe social media platforms?
Splitpixel’s Lauren James has been considering whether now is the time to leave an increasingly hostile and abusive social media…
Can arts charity workers have a voice?
Due to new Charity Commission guidance and increased demands from funders, charity trustees are facing new challenges, says Cause4…
What might a Trump presidency mean for the UK’s creative industries?
As the UK’s creative industries are an increasingly international part of the UK economy, Bernard Hay of the Creative Policy and…
Trump’s return: What Europe’s cultural sector learned from populist politics
With Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Robin Cantrill-Fenwick looks at what may lie ahead for arts leaders in the USA.
Decolonising dance: Broadening perspectives for tomorrow’s audiences
Dance needs decolonising for its long-term sustainability. But what does that mean? asks Sarah Shead, director and creative produc…
The state of opera
Harry Hyman, founder of the International Opera Awards, reviews the state of opera in the UK and outlines what needs to be done in…
The power of the imagination
The culture sector has suffered years of neglect. But David Micklem is infused with optimism about what might lie ahead.
Bringing light in the darkness
As communities heal from far-right riots, how can the arts offer answers to bridging our divides? asks Jake Puddle.
Don’t stop the music
The UK’s concert halls are a valuable economic resource we need to protect, says Kevin Appleby, chair of the British Association…
Culture and the arts: The missing element of climate action
With all the coverage of last week’s COP29 in Azerbaijan, it might feel like there’s nothing new to be said. But Caroline Luca…
Creative spaces, healthier places: How the arts can drive social impact
Creative placemaking is vital for community cohesion, writes Tom Holley. But more than social benefits, it can generate significan…
National Lottery at 30: Unacknowledged legacy
This week marks 30 years since the start of the National Lottery, which has raised more than £50bn for good causes over those dec…
Living in interesting times
2024 has seen a large number of elections in which centrist incumbents have lost ground to more polarising movements. But, as Anth…
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