News

A survey of people living in Scotland found the majority support the creative sector being sponsored by the finance industry.

Two thirds of Scots surveyed said they think the financial backing of banks, pension providers and asset managers is important to the creative life of the country.

The figure dipped significantly only among the 16-24 age group, with almost a third saying they would not attend an arts or culture event backed by the business sector. 

Across all age groups, over half (54%) said they would have no concerns about buying a ticket for such events.

The poll of 1,000 people was conducted by Survation for strategic advisory firm True North, which works with Scottish Financial Enterprise.

It was conducted following the withdrawal of investment house Baillie Gifford from literary festivals across the UK. Activism group Fossil Fuel Books criticised the sponsorship due to Baillie Gifford’s investment in fossil fuels and companies that have commercial links to Israel. The group’s open letter received over 700 signatures from leading writers and publishing industry professionals.

Last month, National Galleries of Scotland put out a statement saying it will continue its relationship with Baillie Gifford.

An arts organisation in Chester has been awarded more than £120,000 to work with more people in addiction and mental health recovery.

Fallen Angels Dance Theatre will get the money from the National Lottery Community Fund over three years to run weekly community workshops.

Participants will be guided to explore their personal stories through movement by the Co-founder of the organisation, professional dancer Paul Bayes Kitcher, who is himself in recovery, 

Creative and Strategic Director Claire Morris, who founded the group alongside Kitcher, says the organisation's biggest challenge has been convincing people to give movement and dance a try.

She said: "There's a bit of a stigma around dance – that it's only for a certain type of person, or that you've got to be super fit or bendy to do it.

"And it's simply not true. Humans instinctively use their bodies to express how they're feeling, and dance is an extension of that.

"The social and mental health benefits of moving to music are so great, we would encourage anyone who is having doubts to just come along and give it a go."

Oldham Council has been awarded £564,375 by the Arts Council England to pay for improvements to a building that houses Gallery Oldham and the town's central library.

The Saddleworth Independent reports that the local authority will use the money to “improve the experience for visitors” and “upgrade systems” to “minimise future maintenance and repair costs”.

Gallery Oldham’s infrastructure and environmental performance will be improved through the £287,375 from ACE's the Museum Estate and Development Fund.

While the layout of the library and what it offers visitors will be enhanced by the £277,000 awarded from ACE's Library Improvement Fund.

Peter Dean, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities and Culture at Oldham Council, said: “Gallery Oldham and central library are two of our most important cultural buildings when it comes to visitor numbers.

“It’s really good news that we’ve received this funding to make sure they are user-friendly and fit for purpose for years to come.”

Work on the improvements is expected to begin later this year.
 

An anonymous donor has given an arts charity £10,000 towards a fundraising campaign.

The Hive in Shrewsbury, a creative venue which runs projects across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, needs to raise £50,000 to cover rising costs and energy bills.

The BBC reports that Chief Executive Katie Jennings said funding had dried up, and the charity was seeing increasing demand for its services.

Jennings said the donation was "heartwarming" and had lifted spirits.

Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has promised that government and public bodies will work with the nation’s arts festivals and wider culture sector to “enhance the vital role” of festivals.

In an open letter to the culture sector, Robertson said he has set up a formal Strategic Partnership for Scotland’s Festivals to use “knowledge and expertise” to inform how the sector is supported in the future and said that Creative Scotland and Events Scotland have been invited to participate.

Calling Scotland’s arts festivals the “jewel” in the culture sector and national life, Robertson said: “With the help of the sector, which has already identified many of the necessary next steps, I want to ensure that we are best-supporting festivals. 

“This will include additional Scottish Government funding, which is committed to raise additional annual spending on culture and the arts by £100m by 2028/29, aiming for an increase of £25m next year.”
 

A coalition of trade associations and unions representing creatives has written to big tech firms telling them to end the "unlawful" use of creators' content.

The Creators’ Rights Alliance, whose membership includes performer's union Equity and the Musicians' Union said writers, performers and artists are among those whose works have been used unlawfully to inform the training of AI models by technology companies, without consent or remuneration.

The letter, sent to tech companies including Microsoft, Google, OPENAI, Apple, and Meta, warns that members of the Creators’ Rights Alliance and the 500,000 creators they represent do not authorise the use of any of their works protected by copyright for such purposes.

Nicola Solomon, Chair of Creators’ Rights Alliance, said creators are innovators and are keen to use AI tools but need trusted systems that do not have the potential to infringe their rights.

"Creators need to be consulted, give consent and be remunerated when their work is used to develop AI models," she said.

"If we work together, we can create high-quality, robust systems that enhance the work of human creators and reward their creativity."

A two-year project designed to bridge the gap between creative education and employment in the Staines area has been awarded £400,000 from Arts Council England.

Using Staines’ new flagship Surrey County Council library, which is set to open by summer 2025, the Staines Culture Hub will establish a programme of creative activities and performances to provide accessible pathways into the arts, and support improved wellbeing.  

The initiative is being run in partnership by Surrey County Council, Spelthorne Borough Council, Ashford Youth Club and Artswork, a charity that works to make arts more accessible.

Susan Doran, Chair of Spelthorne Borough Council's Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee, said: "We are very excited about the establishment of a culture hub for young people here in Spelthorne. 

"Discovering and growing an interest in the arts can be life enriching and the Hub will offer events, courses, workshops and performances for a range of different skills and disciplines with a focus on showing young people the type of career opportunities that are available in this field. 

"It will be a wonderful addition to the existing services for younger residents in our borough."

The final phase of a major refurbishment at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre has been given the green light by council planners.

The BBC reports that the theatre will be extended to create a new rehearsal space, two more accessible dressing rooms, a new back-of-house stage, and a new admin block entrance.

The theatre aims to use the new space to enhance programmes for young people.

Michael Ockwell, Chief Executive and Creative Director at the theatre said: "We recognise that our on-site provision for youth theatre falls short of our vision for creative spaces to develop and inspire young people.

"In addition, touring companies require dedicated rehearsal space as Southampton remains the first stop for West End touring productions."

Work is expected to start next year and be completed by summer 2026.
 

Liverpool's major arts organisations will take part in North West England's first festival celebrating neurodivergent talent, it has been announced.

The Brain Charity, which is organising the Neurodiversity Arts Festival taking place between 20 and 29 September 2024, said the festival aims to inform and educate the public about what neurodiversity means and improve accessibility for neurodivergent people in public spaces. 

Collaborative events will take place with Tate Liverpool, National Museums Liverpool, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and the Bluecoat arts centre.  

“We know that 15–20% of the population identify as neurodivergent,” Festival Organiser Chris Beaumont of The Brain Charity said. 

“We believe the Neurodiversity Arts Festival will not only shed light on the diverse experiences and talents within this community but also foster a deeper understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity across society to create lasting change.”