Independent analysis of opera and musical theatre to be commissioned by Arts Council England to 'shape future investment' in wake of backlash agcainst funding decisions.

Nearly 1,400 arts organisations “woke up to good news” as £257m of Culture Recovery Fund awards were announced, but those who missed out stand a slim chance of survival. 

Updates to Arts Council England's policies warn that "political statements" made by individuals linked to an organisation can cause "reputational risk" and breach funding agreements.

Thousands of people from every background are developing and showcasing their creative skills online in a huge variety of forms, easing the stresses of lockdown. The nurturing of this ‘Everyday...

Power has always resided in the hands of the few and in this moment of crisis it is time to fundamentally change the rules of the game to achieve cultural democracy, says Kully Thiarai.

‘We Hear You’ gives the sector a confidential space to raise important issues without judgement.

Despite the huge financial challenges facing arts organisations this winter, James Mackenzie-Blackman is determined his theatre will remain open to serve the community.

The RSC is currently the only theatre company to hold Independent Research Organisation status. It is using that to initiate research about things that matter to the whole sector, as Jacqui O’Hanlon...

Shadow Culture Secretary pledges to explore opportunities for additional investment in the arts, describing proposed cuts to local authority culture budgets as 'heartbreaking'.

Ofsted Chief Inspector says the government body recognises the values of arts education, as report underlines decline in provision and guidance for teachers.

Imagine a world without culture. How would we orient and co-ordinate our actions? How would we generate new ideas? How would we know our lives are worth living? Arguably, the very act of imagining...

Are the arts as liberal, tolerant and inclusive as we’d like to think? Or is the sector authoritarian, stifled by group-think and given to indulging the odd witch-hunt? asks Denise Fahmy.

The city has no intention of shirking difficult challenges in its year as UK City of Culture, writes Chenine Bhathena.

Freedom in the Arts, co-founded by former Arts Council England employee Denise Fahmy, says it wants to 'tackle the culture of fear and intimidation facing artists'.

A commissioning programme in support of disabled artists was inundated with applications. Jo Verrent says the sector must increase its commitment to this under-served community.

Fresh calls have been made for English National Opera’s funding cut to be reversed during a parliamentary debate, with veteran Tory MP Bob Neill claiming Arts Council England's decision could be...

This year Jerwood Arts published a toolkit for cultural organisations, designed to encourage greater socio-economic diversity in the arts. Julie Lomax, Chief Executive of a-n The Artists Information...

The Great Place Scheme demonstrates how projects flourish when official bodies allow them freedom from pre-determined outcomes, says Jill Cole.

As Birmingham applauds the extraordinary success of the Commonwealth Games, Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah reflect on the role of museums in shaping the city’s future.

The 1982 publication ‘The Arts of Schools’ was hugely influential with local education authorities and arts professionals. Here Sally Bacon and Pauline Tambling share the findings from their new...

The energy, invention and will to survive shown by young companies will replenish and rekindle our industry says James Phillips, but unless the industry finds a way of nurturing them, a career in...

Creative Policy and Evidence Centre raises concerns over lack of focus on creativity within schools across the UK.

A collective of Black and Asian artists, curators and educators explains how the impenetrable glass ceiling keeps them on the margins – and why public statements promising reviews, reports and...

The sector’s resilience and creativity in navigating crises show how art and culture will sustain even in the toughest of times. Ben Walmsley explores what is now needed to build a more equitable,...

Sector leaders have responded with a mixture of relief and gratitude for a Government package that will secure the medium-term future of many organisations on the brink of permanent closure, but...

We need bold new cultural infrastructures to tackle entrenched inequality in the arts, says Amahra Spence. Can a new project combine business nous with social justice?

Amid sector concerns about new data platform Illuminate, Arts Council England says NPOs will not need to provide box office or audience survey data until next year.

A year after losing ACE funding, Berkshire's Watermill Theatre has had some sweet successes. Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive Claire Murray charts the downs and ups of a rollercoaster...

Belfast Book Festival is celebrating its 13th edition this week, bringing together Ireland's storytelling talent. Sophie Hayles is challenging the traditional model to deliver a festival that is more...

Pilot programme designed to address a 'huge shift' in the creative workforce towards film and tv launches.

Fresh calls have been made for English National Opera’s funding cut to be reversed during a parliamentary debate, with veteran Tory MP Bob Neill claiming Arts Council England's decision could be...

What can the UK learn about cultural policy from its tiny Nordic neighbour? Robin Cantrill-Fenwick finds out - stopping off at Naples along the way. 

Oliver Dowden claims to know that “theatres must be full to make money” but his five-stage plan to see performing arts venues reopen has no money attached.

Being at the heart of its community is the hallmark of Slung Low’s creative work. Its doors may be closed but its community engagement is greater than ever. Alan Lane tells how the team has stepped...

Sector leaders have responded with a mixture of relief and gratitude for a Government package that will secure the medium-term future of many organisations on the brink of permanent closure, but...

The Arts Council of Wales has said it won’t fund projects that don’t budget minimum pay rates for artists. We asked the other councils why they aren’t doing the same.

Hull’s leaders want to build a ‘collective legacy’ for its City of Culture year. Victoria Bissett and Michael Howcroft say their success depends on rebuilding trust amid a culture of anger, secrecy...

Amanda Parker shares her parting words as Editor of ArtsProfessional.

If there is one thing the UK does well it’s royal celebrations, and none come bigger than a coronation. But, as Mark Pemberton writes, the coronation of King Charles III had one particular dimension...

The arts sector must do more to include older people, not only as consumers but also as creators of culture, says Stella Duffy.

Age-old paternalistic attitudes will persist unless disabled people lead change themselves, says Vici Wreford-Sinnott.

Nearly a year into the latest investment round, many National Portfolio Organisations are finding the new reporting requirements unduly burdensome - at best - and, in some instances, unfit for...

Hull’s leaders want to build a ‘collective legacy’ for its City of Culture year. Victoria Bissett and Michael Howcroft say their success depends on rebuilding trust amid a culture of anger, secrecy...

A test event for the launch of Coventry City of Culture has been cancelled and the money earmarked for it, and for the Godiva Festival, is being redistributed to local artistic commissioning opport...

Following a £3m research and development phase, diverse teams of artists, scientists and engineers will receive £10m each to bring their "showstopping" ideas to life.

Underpaid artists have become caretakers for communities that commissioners want to say they’re supporting. Eleonora Belfiore asks: whose responsibility is it to push for the change we so desperately...

Ben Walmsley reports on the key findings from a 15-month research project into the effects of the pandemic on the cultural sector.

We need bold new cultural infrastructures to tackle entrenched inequality in the arts, says Amahra Spence. Can a new project combine business nous with social justice?

In the first in our series on regeneration, Sue Ball reflects on the role of city leaders in enabling Leeds to become ‘culturally braver’ through imaginative commissioning of public art.

Technicians at English National Opera are facing the prospect of significant reductions in their working hours and salaries as part of ongoing cost-cutting measures.

Younger people are more likely to want arts organisations to align with their values and prefer a wider range of permitted behaviours when attending venues.

A new report into equality, diversity and inclusion in music is published this week. Its authors Anna Bull, Diljeet Bhachu and Amy Blier-Carruthers argue to tackle the inequalities it reveals, EDI...

The Labour MP’s recent report on the role of culture confronted “the perception, and the reality” that arts, culture and creativity are middle class pastimes with too great a focus on London and the...

In the face of increasing numbers of theatre leaders leaving their roles, David Micklem thinks it’s time the whole business model underwent a radical rethink.

The decision follows completion of an initial assessment into the role and functions of Arts Council England that could have resulted in no further action being taken.

Award-winning musician Speech Debelle launches legal case against Arts Council England claiming race discrimination.

Melissa Nisbett, Ben Walmsley and Emma McDowell have been conducting research on abusive leadership in the arts. Their findings will set alarm bells ringing across the sector.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced a Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund that will “meet the immediate needs” of organisations and freelance workers attempting to survive the ongoing impact...

Erica Ramsay, Geraldine Montgomerie and Holly Dannhauser explore the challenges faced by a local arts in health network – and how they mirror the hurdles for this work nationally.

The Scottish Government will review its international cultural funding and look into developing a support service for cultural export and exchange as part of a new International Cultural Strategy.