Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Mary Harrington considers whether artist payments funded by a proposed smartphone levy would reach those most in need or if, as with music streaming services, higher-profile creators would be the main beneficiaries.
Jobs in the arts require more than just labour, and remuneration can often be in alternative currencies such as praise and the occasional free drink. Harriet Lloyd-Smith speaks to people who've left the sector in search of balance and the ability to pay rent.
Council support for the arts isn't only a case of cash, says Tom Plater. Here are his recommendations for measures local authorities can take to help the sector during difficult financial times.
After a museum in New York terminated the contracts of gallery attendants for wearing Palestinian headscarves, Valentina Di Liscia speaks to staff, protesters and the public about the fallout.
The heritage industry needs all the resilience it can muster, reasons Simon Tait as he looks at the legacy of the business support programme, Heritage Compass.
Tuesday, 10 September 2024
In a recent study, a team of researchers in Australia found arts organisations need to take risks to reach audiences beyond those that are white, middle-aged and middle-class.
Labour’s manifesto pledge to 'help our touring artists' in the EU sparked hope in the music industry. But, as Rachel Healy writes, Keir Starmer may find the EU is not prepared to consider many of the necessary changes.
Arts and humanities research is sometimes controversial but, if we want to build a better future, we need to change narratives that attack 'woke' studies, writes the AHRC's Christopher Smith.
The National Theatre isn't presenting enough work, according to playwright David Hare who wonders whether rep will return to the South Bank under a Labour government.
After a summer of sport, Richard Morrison asks why being 'elite' has positive connotations on the field but is seen as exclusionary in the arts.
Tuesday, 23 July 2024
With a new government, any reset of Arts Council England must have at its core the principle of real independence rather than 'toxic compromise', writes Richard Bratby.
Artists are not properly paid even in times of relatively abundant funding, says Dr Susan Jones. So how can Labour and the sector address this issue of long-term resilience?
In a frank interview with Claire Allfree, Melvyn Bragg shares his views on government attitudes to culture and why he suspects ACE Chair Nick Serota was 'leant on' by the Conservatives.
With more than 50 festival events withdrawn in 2024, John Rostron, Chief Executive of the Association of Independent Festivals, discusses with Andre Paine where the model has gone wrong.
In Ohio, a theatre trustee who made transphobic posts held on to his role by a board vote. The outcome: cast and crew started leaving the show. Ken Schneck explains how events unfolded.
Tuesday, 16 July 2024
With music education cuts at Royal Welsh College and strike action looming at Welsh National Opera, Ben Summer speaks to pupils, parents and musicians about the future of the arts in Wales.
The under-representation of Muslims in arts, culture and heritage is a loss for British society, writes Katie Goh as she speaks to academics and artists about addressing inequality.
In this blog, Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Christopher Smith, makes the case that the funder provides impressive bang for its buck.
Australia’s art industry is too white, say Stephanie Beaupark and Aneshka Mora. However, a unique regional curatorial programme might provide a model for change.
The survival of tiny, offbeat theatres is vital to keep pushing the sector forward, writes outgoing Artistic Director of Camden People’s Theatre Brian Logan.