Monday, 27 November 2017
We must look beyond the political finger pointing and ensure the hard work done by the five UK cities bidding to become European Capital of Culture is rewarded with a version of the competition in 2023, stresses Beatriz Garcia, who sits on the programme’s selection panel.
Aberdeen City Council’s proposal to withdraw funding from the Aberdeen International Youth Festival is “breathtakingly short-sighted” and has cast doubt on the competence of local councillors, argues Keith Bruce.
Friday, 24 November 2017
The arts should embrace new research showing theatre audiences synchronise heartbeats – the effects are proven to be good for your health and your love life, writes Richard Morrison.
What is the ‘creative economy’? John Newbigin traces the development of the term, and the sector’s understanding, over the past 20 years.
Thursday, 23 November 2017
Robert Livingstone assesses how Scotland could become a thriving ‘cultural democracy’, warning the alternative is a shameful cultural deficit that is “unworthy of any truly progressive nation”.
Monday, 20 November 2017
Actors are particularly vulnerable to harassment because they are systemically disempowered – if they speak out, they lose opportunities for work, writes Karen Morash.
Creating new ‘creative clusters’ across the UK could generate talent and business, and help to reach more areas that lack basic cultural opportunities, writes Arts Council England Chair Nicholas Serota.
Hull’s year as City of Culture has galvanised pride in the city and its cultural attractions, relays Rachel Cooke, who interviews a range of people involved in the events.
Thursday, 16 November 2017
A wave of street art is helping to reclaim inaccessible areas of Naples by transforming places associated with violence into safe, collective spaces, write Felia Allum and Luca Palermo.
Wednesday, 15 November 2017
How successful have schemes aimed at increasing diversity in the arts been so far? Sana Ikram and Elizabeth Scott debate.
The Unlimited scheme may have pushed disabled-led arts practices forward, but it promotes a producer, not curator-led model. Aidan Moesby discusses the relationship between disabled artists and curators.
Tuesday, 14 November 2017
Josh Halliday visits a school in Stoke bringing clay back into the classroom. The move is part of a push to give every child in the city an experience with the material by 2021 – the year in which Stoke could become UK City of Culture.
Thursday, 09 November 2017
Michael Dervan shines a light on the stealthy cutting of positions in Irish orchestras – and asks whether the Government’s repeated commitment to creativity can stop it.
An initiative in Toronto is supporting independent theatre companies by redirecting resources from established organisations. Karen Fricker reviews how it’s going.
A pilot BBC radio drama uses voice-activated technology to allow listeners to respond to questions and change the plot. What impact could such developments have in the arts, asks William Moore.
Wednesday, 08 November 2017
The ‘Museum of Ice Cream’ is a result of the growing trend for museum ‘experiences’ such as the Rain Room – essentially a museum of play. But can play be timed, ticketed and physically circumscribed, asks Alexandra Lange.
Tuesday, 07 November 2017
Addressing a lack of on-stage diversity requires a thorough re-think of the casting process, as well as strategies to increase the diversity of audiences, playwrights, composers and directors, writes Julia Prest.
Monday, 06 November 2017
Determined to turn a classical concert into ‘an experience’, a New York orchestra has started seating audience members amongst the musicians. AFP finds out why.
Friday, 03 November 2017
At a time when our lives are run by algorithms and we work for apps instead of people, culture serves as the glue to bind us together and fire up the imaginations of the future, writes Justine Simons.
Wednesday, 01 November 2017
Equity General Secretary Christine Payne explains why the union is not surprised by allegations of sexual harassment in the creative industries, and will continue to fight for those who need support.