Tuesday, 18 December 2018
Historian David Olusoga on why it’s perfectly compatible to care about both returning looted artistic treasures to their place of origin and protecting Britain’s art and heritage.
(IN SPANISH) There has been a drastic collapse in the number of concerts, plays and film screenings in Spain over the last 10 years as ticket sales have struggled to recover from the recession. And no one knows if things will ever get back to normal, writes Tomasso Koch.
Monday, 17 December 2018
British East Asian writers have historically been unable to contribute virtually anything of note to UK theatre. To understand why, we should look to the sector’s layers of white, middle class gatekeepers, says Daniel York Loh.
Many of the key players in the Gulf's art ecosystem are women. Danna Lorch speaks to three female museum directors in the region to discuss cultural tourism, connecting with local communities and the limits of risk-taking.
Thursday, 13 December 2018
The arts sector must do more than just seek ‘clean’ sources of funding, free from the influence of climate-contaminating industry, says Molly Scott Cato. It must help imagine a world in which fossil fuels no longer have a place in society.
‘Progressive’ funders must make long-term grants, respond quickly, treat grantees as partners with mutual goals and actively encourage lobbying if they are to have as much of an impact on society as more ‘conservative’ outfits, writes nonprofitAF.
The way funding is distributed in the UK means there’s no money for community groups to organise their own cultural activities – such as the juvenile jazz bands that used to be common in working class towns across the North East of England. It’s time for change, argues Stephen Pritchard.
Wednesday, 12 December 2018
Refusing to be an artist-as-public-figure in the social media age seems like wilful career suppression, if not suicide. But increasing numbers of artists are opting out and avoiding an online presence. Drew Zeiba finds out why.
Monday, 10 December 2018
Reggae, which was recently added to UNESCO’s cultural heritage list, is not just about the music, says Christopher Partridge. It’s just as influential as a social and political force.
Wednesday, 05 December 2018
The mere mention of a new museum or gallery by a ‘starchitect’ can unlock all sorts of funding for cities as they seek the transformative benefits felt by Bilbao – but these spectacular buildings often end up as totemic emblems of shocking municipal waste. Ike Ijeh homes in on the biggest offenders in recent years.
Tuesday, 04 December 2018
We should stop packaging classical music as ‘soothing’ and instead encourage audiences to feel it on their own terms - whether that is arousing, repulsive, lulling or everything in between, writes Jennifer Gersten.
Arts organisations in the UK have done much for ethnic diversity, but not enough towards including and empowering disabled people. It is time for them to act on their principles of openness and fairness and actively drive change, argues the Guardian.
Monday, 03 December 2018
Some of the most rewarding arts experiences can arise from spur-of-the-moment decisions, writes Megan Friel. Are venues doing all they can to offer serendipitous opportunities to engage?
Friday, 30 November 2018
Manchester has invested in arts projects across the city to help residents learn about and support homeless people. Helen Lock assesses whether the initiative is working.
Western museums should not return colonial era art. Instead of judging history through the prism of right and wrong, we should focus on the power of ancient artefacts to enlighten us about the world, writes Tiffany Jenkins.
Thursday, 29 November 2018
No-one is born to make art, just like no-one is born to cook food, but both processes can be learned. Remembering that will help us value the act of creation - and creations themselves - differently, argues Francois Matarasso.
An opera performance project is giving current and former homeless people in New York the courage to redefine themselves, writes Tim Teeman.
Monday, 26 November 2018
The UK’s first Arts Minister, Jennie Lee, was a popular and pioneering hero. After suffering from years of austerity, the arts sorely need a modern politician who can match her commitment, writes Hannah Jane Parkinson.
Tackling violent crime is not just a matter for the police. The arts and culture have a vital role in empowering young people and steering their energy towards more constructive activities, says Shappi Khorsandi.
Thursday, 22 November 2018
Jude Kelly, founder of the Women of the World festival, explains to Chiara Clemente how young women can find their own voices, and why they have a duty to keep fighting for equality.