International News in 2004
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Arts and culture policy-related news from online news services. Subscribe to our newsletter, ACORNS. To alert us to international news please email us.
January 2004
Bright year for Cuban theatre
The performing arts continue to gain momentum in Cuba; with attendence numbers on the rise and programming reaching further afield. more >
The rush-hour revelations of an underground museum
New York City's subway system has many benefits. While getting millions of people where they need to go each day with a minimum of logistical fuss and environmental muss, it also serves as a great humanising, socialising force. more >
Kenyan to head writers' forum
Kenyan actress Mumbi Kaigwa has been elected president of the worldwide organisation, Women Playwrights International 2003-2006. more >
Morocco, Iran to organise cultural days
Morocco and Iran intend to organise cultural days to exchange experiences in educational and cultural realms, Moroccan higher education and scientific research minister, Khalid Alioua has announced. more >
French arts workers occupy cultural embassy in Rome
About 40 French performers and arts technicians have invaded the Villa Medicis - home of the French cultural organisation, the Academie de France - to protest against changes to their unemployment system which take effect this year. more >
Shortage of theatres sparks crisis in South Indian film industry
The South Indian film industry is facing a crisis of sorts, but an unusual one. It is not a question of insufficient revenue, rather, insufficient theatres to screen all the movies being released. more >
Demarco in talks to win art festival funding
Scottish arts impresario, Richard Demarco, is in talks with a commercial sponsor in a bid to win £40,000 in backing for a major addition to Edinburgh’s festival line-up in 2004. more >
Cubans celebrate revolution victory with cultural activities
Cubans have celebrated the 45th anniversary of their revolution with cultural activities throughout the nation. more >
Art and more contained within
The Kaohsiung International Container Arts Festival can't decide if it's an art event, or a carnival. more >
Local theatre in the doldrums
An academic recently gave a no-holds-barred analysis of government efforts to raise theatre standards among activists in Malaysia. more >
Arts marketing conference extends its reach
The National Arts Marketing Project; an American program created to assist domestic arts groups build new audiences and generate innovative revenue streams for their organisations; is back for its third year, with an increasingly global focus. more >
International artist run centres to unite at 'Infest'
In acknowledgement of the influential role of artist driven organisations, the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres has announced Infest; an international event designed to strengthen the presence of artist run centres within the cultural ecology. more >
European film summit
In a perfect Festival warm-up, and a networking opportunity not to be missed, this year’s 'Berlinale' kicks off again with the European Film Summit on 4 February. more >
State of the arts in Europe
The EU has released the final report of a study jointly undertaken by Interarts, Spain, and EFAH, Belgium. A survey of 31 European countries has revealed the state of the arts, particularly levels of cultural cooperation, in key cultural areas. more >
Germany gives US$1.2M to equip Ivory Coast artists
In a generous move, the German Chamber of Trade has offered its sister Chamber in the Ivory Coast a fully equipped trades centre to assist local craftspeople; valued at over US$1 million dollars. more >
Musical crossroads to converge again in Africa
The 5th Interregional Music Crossroads Festival will take place in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, for the second year running from 22-25 January 2004. more >
Cultural activities a highlight of Trinidad birthday
Trinidad village residents recently celebrated their 490th anniversary with a blaze of culture. more >
UNESCO praises heritage restoration efforts in Cuba
UNESCO’s Assistant Director General for Culture, Mounir Bouchenaki, has praised recent restoration and extension projects of the combined town planners of Cuba. more >
Centres for Thai wisdom to be set up
Twenty learning centres will be established next year across Thailand as part of the government’s plan to boost local knowledge through educational reform. more >
Artists from US, Europe and Latin America paint murals in Cuba
Artists from Mexico, Cuba, the United States, Argentina, Great Britain and Spain will join their creative forces in Santiago de Cuba during the 6th "InterNos" International Mural Painting Gathering. more >
Indian state bans US author's book
Authorities have banned a US-based author's book on a 17th century Indian warrior king after a hard line Hindu group vandalised an institute where the professor did his research, saying the book insulted the ruler. more >
New Malaysian arts and cultural centre opens
Malaysian royalty dropped by last week to open a new arts and cultural centre for the country in Lebuh Pantai. more >
Revolutionary plans for Namibian artists
A much needed health-pension scheme and a business cooperative for all artists are two of the progressive steps the Oruuano Artists Union are implementing this year as part of its ongoing activities on behalf of a growing number of members countrywide. more >
Joint choir gearing up to make debut
The newly formed 100 member MCA-Gerakan choir will shortly give its debut performance at the joint Penang MCA-Gerakan Chinese New Year open house. more >
Sweden and Israel in furious diplomatic row over art scandal
A spat between Israel and Sweden over a controversial Stockholm art exhibit showing a Palestinian suicide bomber turned into a full-scale diplomatic row when Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon stepped into the fray. more >
Artists are doing it for themselves
Last year the Belgian government changed the rules that govern how artists working in the country can make social security payments. As expected, there are pros and cons to the new arrangements. more >
Iran, Italy to cooperate in renovation of museum
Iran and Italy have signed an agreement to cooperate in drawing up a plan aimed at reinforcing the 'Iran-Bastan' Museum's structure and to implement a renovation scheme. more >
Resource wins in Goodison recommendations
Sir Nicholas Goodison’s much-anticipated review on incentives aimed to help museums, galleries and libraries with heritage acquisitions has been released. Resource : the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries will play a central role, if the recommendations in the report are adopted. more >
Muslims ordered out of Mosque authorities want as carpet museum
Azeri authorities have given Muslims in Baku until the end of January to leave a 1000 year old Mosque they want to turn into a carpet museum. more >
UNESCO call upon inter-cultural talk in Cuba
During a visit to Cuba, UNESCO General Assistant director Mounir Bouchenaki called for a meeting aiming for people to respect the multi-culture of nations. more >
Archives congress to break new ground
The major event of the global archiving community; the International Congress on Archives; will be held in Vienna this August. Participants will have their eyes focused on the future, with 'state of the art' firmly on the agenda. more >
£60m to spend but being in charge of arts council is a near impossible job
Much of the SAC's extra money, not from the Scottish Executive's coffers, is dependent on the National Lottery, a game that is falling in popularity every year. The rest of its fund comes from a government which only deems the arts to be worth less than 1% of the entire Scottish multi-billion-pound budget. (Pay for full text). more >
Clore Leadership Programme looks for first fellows
The Clore Duffield Foundation has opened applications to the first Clore Leadership Programme – an initiative designed to produce the next generation of arts leadership. more >
Moroccan Ministerial Visit to Spain Sparks Cultural Dialogue
Morrocan Deputy Minister to Spain, Mrs Nouzha Chekrouni, has honed in on bilateral cultural initiatives on a recent visit to Barcelona. more >
French Artists On Cultural ‘Field Trip’ In Senegal
Fifteen French artists are discovering new ground thanks to a cultural exchange project with Senegalese artists. more >
Festival of song returns to Cuba after 18 year hiatus
The Varaderos International Song Festival will return to Cuba after an 18-year absence, it was announced by Alexis Vázquez, Vice President of the Cuban Music Institute. more >
Pilot artists for Taiwan-UK exchange programme revealed
The six artists who will christen the pioneering Taiwan-UK International Artist Fellowship Programme 2004 have been announced. more >
Pinar del Rio To Preserve Music Heritage With New Centre
In an effort to preserve Pinar del Rio’s music heritage a music information centre has been created in the province – the first of its kind in Cuba. more >
Hong Kong to host arts marketing conference
Affirming its status as the gateway between China and the international arts arena, Hong Kong is to host a conference on marketing the arts to Chinese speaking territories. more >
Science, technology and the arts
Artists, writers, journalists, art critics, curators and philosophers are being urged to join space scientists, engineers and technologists at a conference in The Netherlands in May. more >
Ireland’s cultural Presidency
Ireland has commenced the Presidency of the EU with a strong cultural focus including visits by Irish artists and performers to a number of European cities. more >
The Fine Art of the Space Age
After the space shuttle Columbia exploded on February 1, 2003, NASA asked New York artist Barbara Ernst Prey to paint a memorial for the seven astronauts who died on board. more >
Interview: 40 Years Late, Kenya Now Has a Cultural Policy
The Kenya government has in the past been accused of neglecting culture and relegating it to the bottom of its priorities. However, there have been some positive and welcome trends by the new government and the public is largely optimistic that something tangible is finally being done to address the failures of the past. more >
Musicians, Journalists Join Great Trek to UK
Zimbabwe's music and media industries have not been spared by the country's worsening economic crisis, with several journalists and musicians joining the trek to the United Kingdom in search of greener pastures. more >
New Round Of Seminars Highlight European Funding
Official UK Cultural Contact Point EUCLID, is offering a comprehensive seminar programme for the arts and cultural sector on European funding opportunities in nine major cities across the UK during March and April 2004. more >
$5 Billion Set for Distribution
The newly formed Zimbabwe Culture Fund reminded all artists willing to benefit from a $5 billion fund to be distributed must soon start preparing project proposals. more >
'Superman' Awarded Chilean Honour
North American actor Christopher Reeve has been awarded the Chilean Order of Bernardo O'Higgins for his support to Chilean artists who stood in opposition to Augusto Pinochet. more >
Agencies Unite to Lead Cultural Congress
The Interarts Foundation, in collaboration with other leading cultural agencies, is organising an International Congress on Cultural Rights and Human Development to coincide with the Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona this August. more >
SAC director calls for broader funding of arts
The Scottish Arts Council is making a concerted bid for broader funding for the arts, its director, Graham Berry, said yesterday. more >
Namibian Film Regulatory Body Up And Running
Despite some teething problems, the Namibian Film Commission is now administratively capable to serve and develop the fledgling local film industry. more >
Nigerian Musicians On A Summit
Never in recent times has there been a such a gathering of Nigerian artistes; both old and young, under one roof. more >
February 2004
International Literary Festival explores identity
The Kuala Lumpur International Literary Festival will take place from July 29 to August 1, and is now calling for papers from writers the world over. more >
Arts Groups Look to Congress to Ease Cultural Exchanges
While global commerce may be borderless, international artistic collaborations such as Alladeen, a multimedia production touring the U.S. in which artists from New York, London, and India peer into our 'global soul', are becoming increasingly difficult and rare. more >
Poetry in Motion: Mexico City Subway Aims to 'Elevate Culture' by Lending Books to Riders
At nearly two dozen subway stations in Mexico City, officials have begun handing out 1.5 million free books, a novel experiment aimed at promoting literacy and maybe even cutting down on crime. more >
Asia Pacific Arts and Cultural Practice Explored in New On-line Journal
The first Asia Pacific Journal of Arts and Cultural Management was recently launched in Australia. more >
Free Legal Downloads For $6 A Month. The Artists Get Paid. We Explain How...
Imagine a world where music and movies could be freely exchanged online, where artists are recompensed and the labels don't lose a cent, and where 12-year old girls need not fear harboring an MP3 of their favorite TV show theme tune on their PC. more >
World Intellectual Property Organisation Revisits Standards
Companies, inventors, academics and users of the intellectual property system will benefit from a decision last week by member states of the World Intellectual Property Organisation to revise certain standards. more >
Aosdána General Assembly
Aosdána, the affiliation of creative artists in Ireland, held its 21st General Assembly at Dublin Castle on Thursday 5 February. Six new members were elected to the exclusive organisation, bringing the total membership to 199 artists. more >
Ethiopia: Campaign Launched to Preserve National Heritage
The Ethiopian government has warned that the nations historical and cultural artefacts were continuing to be plundered, and has called for greater protection of its antiquities. more >
Culture to flourish in Scottish centres
Lottery money has enabled the Scottish Arts Council to fund four outstanding cultural opportunities in Glasgow, Kirkintilloch, Dumfries and West Lothian. more >
Museums And Galleries Month Names Sponsor
The Campaign for Museums has announced that Eurostar will be the principal sponsor for the 2004 Museums and Galleries Month. more >
First Cuban School For Band Musicians Inaugurated
Cuba has inaugurated a novel program to facilitate people's access to culture by opening the nation's first music school for musicians of municipal concert bands. more >
Australia To Host International Conference of Artist Residencies
Australia’s two largest capital cities will play host to the 'Res Artis International Conference' of artist residencies this August. more >
Publishers Seek Privatisation Of Paper Mills
The Nigerian Publishers Association, the umbrella body for all publishers in the country, has called on the Federal Government to immediately revive or expedite action on the planned privatisation of the country's paper mills. more >
Cuba To Host First World Literacy Congress In 2005
Cuba is organizing the first World Literacy Congress to assist UNESCO in its fight against illiteracy, to be held parallel to Pedagogy 2005 - a biennial meeting on the challenges of education that gathers world specialists. more >
Lights Off! Kerala Film Industry On Strike
There were no lights, no camera, and certainly no action as the long ailing Kerala film industry went on strike Thursday. more >
Sikh Cyber Museum: An Online Recorder Of Sikh History
In a novel way to record 300 years of Anglo-Sikh relations and Sikh history under one roof, the Council of Gurdwaras in Birmingham has designed an online cyber museum which houses all this and much more. more >
Steps Afoot to Restore, Protect Rock Art Sites
The National Monuments Council is to take urgent action to restore Namibia's main rock art sites at the Spitzkoppe, Brandberg and Twyfelfontein. more >
China Blocks Vagina Monologue
China's first performance of The Vagina Monologues, based on the book of the same name, has been cancelled because of Government pressure. more >
Museum Exhibit Focuses On Geishas
Curators at the Peabody Essex Museum hope art and artifacts from the world of geishas will refute misconceptions of them as wanton women and reveal their importance to the culture of Japan. more >
Brazilian Carnival to Highlight South Africa's 10 Yrs of Freedom
A hundred young dancers and musicians from around South Africa are heading to Brazil to represent the country at an annual carnival there. more >
Support Arts Sector: Undenge
Zimbabwe trade and economic consultant Dr Samuel Undenge has called upon Zimbabweans to support and promote the arts industry because it has the potential to create wealth for the country. more >
Nomad Music Festival Held In Mauritania
The first international festival of nomad music recently opened in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott, bringing together musicians from a dozen countries. more >
Interarts Founder Dies In Barcelona
Eduard Delgado, Director and Founder of the Interarts Foundation for International Cultural Cooperation died last week in Barcelona. more >
Libeskind To Design Salvador Dali Museum For Prague
Renowned American architect Daniel Libeskind - creator of the master plan for replacing the World Trade Center in New York - has agreed to design a Salvador Dali museum in Czech capital, Prague. more >
Public Art A Tough Sell In Hong Kong
In a city historically driven by the frantic pursuit of money, art has had little place in peoples' lives. Hong Kong now hopes to change that. more >
Vice Minister Wants Cultural Industries in Angola
The Angolan Vice Minister of Culture, Andre Mingas, recently defended the creation of an industry of culture-related undertakings in the country. more >
Performing Arts Research Coalition Shows Audiences Value Performing Arts
The Performing Arts Research Coalition, a three-year audience-research project being conducted by five national service organisations, has released the second of three reports on the culture-going habits of citizens in selected cities across America. more >
Pictures Engraved On Rocks Are Disappearing
Over two thousand century old pictures engraved on rocks in the Tchitunduhulo region of Angola are disappearing due to erosion of the soil and rocks. more >
Virtual Reality Brings Past To Life
A team at the University of Geneva have been using sophisticated 3D computer modelling technology to bring historical monuments to life. more >
Kinnock To Succeed Kennedy As Head Of British Council
Neil Kinnock has been appointed head of the British Council, it was announced yesterday. more >
Brazilian Community Presents Its Culture At Carnival
Around 2,000 people, among Brazilian and Angolan citizens, recently participated in the first edition of the Carnival of Foreign Communities, representing the culture of Brazil and others. more >
Italian Librarians Oppose 'Obliteration' of Culture
The Italian cities of Milan and Parma will be rocked by massive resistance to an initiative that sends out the message 'pay for culture.' more >
Ambassador's Visit Highlights US Cultural Assistance In Tangier
On his first trip to Tangier, the new American ambassador in Rabat has christened the latest projects to benefit from the ‘Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation’. more >
U.S. Silences Cuban Beat
Over the past few months, the State Department has cracked down on Cuban visitors - specifically artists - seeking to enter the United States. more >
Spanish Artists Protest Israeli Wall
Spanish artists, association and media representatives announced they will travel to the West Bank to demand the dismantling of the Israeli wall being built to isolate Palestinians. more >
High-Tech Future For National Museum
A five-year commitment by the Finnish government to restore and modernise the National Museum of Namibia is on the way to becoming a reality. more >
The Dying Monsters Of Kitsch
For over half a century, they dominated the skyline of India's cinema-crazy southern cities, dwarfing the buildings and the traffic below. more >
'Museum Without walls' Displays Egypt's Glories
Experiencing the glories of Egypt, both ancient and modern, will become a lot easier, thanks to a groundbreaking joint effort of the Egyptian government and a Toronto-based team of Web designers. more >
Festivals Earn Over £200m For Capital
Festivals and events are now worth more than £200 million to Edinburgh’s economy, according to new research. more >
Young Films To The Cuban Screens
Young Cuban filmmakers have a space to show their work and mingle with international peers - at a gathering organised by the Cuban Cinema Institute. more >
A Price For The Country's Heritage
The National Monuments Council has introduced entrance fees for two of its monument sites, to aid their sustainable management. more >
Central Desert Gallery Continues Namitjira's Legacy
A new art centre featuring the works of artists from Central Desert region has opened in Alice Springs, Australia. more >
France Offers To Loan Art Stolen From Jews During Holocaust
France has proposed loaning to the Israel Museum hundreds of works of art stolen from Jews during the Holocaust. more >
Brunei-UK Ties Dynamic, Says British Curator
Artistic relations between Brunei and the United Kingdom are dynamic and look as much to the future as to the past. more >
REVERBERATIONS; Help for the Old and Safe, Neglect for the New and Challenging
John Rockwell Reverberations column assesses recent talk at Harvard University by National Endowment for Arts chairman Dana Gioia, who is seeking to build consensus to create 'win-win' programs that will bridge cultural divides; supports project to tour Shakespeare plays to cities, schools and military bases, but maintains that Gioia needs to find way to help artists create masterpieces of tomorrow. more >
EFAH Report on 'Culture 2000'
Eureka EU News has reported preliminary findings of the evaluation by EFAH (European Forum for the Arts and Heritage) of the Culture 2000 framework. more >
March 2004
Tax Disaster Puts British Film Industry In Peril, Says Malkovich
The Hollywood actor and director John Malkovich spoke of his fears for the British film industry yesterday, following the Government's decision to abruptly close a £1 billion tax loophole which almost killed off his latest work. more >
The road to riches?
Richard Florida's 'Creative Class' ideas have been widely embraced in America. But there's a backlash, and he is taking political hits from the right and the left. more >
Digital Inspiration Comes to Uganda's Art Scene
While Uganda is not lacking in artists educated both locally and abroad, there is an immense lack of resources for artistic work that utilises digital tools. However, this obtrusive deficiency is about to become a thing of the past. more >
Arts data a few keystrokes away
Life just got a little easier for arts scholars, journalists and authors with the launch today of a free online performing arts database. Called AusStage, the website is an index of live arts events in Australia. more >
Ruling Rejects Licensing Fees
A 11-year court battle over the right to make photocopies of court judgments ended in a landmark victory yesterday for libraries, researchers in all fields and those seeking inexpensive access to justice. more >
Television Prepares Documentary On Angolan Music
The state-run Angola Public Television is preparing a 12-chapter documentary on the history of the Angolan urban music, comprising information on musicians life and reports of country's music. more >
Nicaragua Launched First Cultural Atlas And Guide
A Cultural Atlas and Guide, the first of its kind in Nicaragua and one of the most complete in Latin America was launched in Nicaragua, confirmed Nicaraguan Culture Institute director Napoleon Chow. more >
Abuja To Host Arts And Culture Expo
A workshop and exposition on art and culture will hold next month in Abuja - aimed at providing a strong platform for public discourse of vital issues affecting the sector in West Africa. more >
Time to wake the Sleeping Lady: How to make culture financially viable
One of the more prominent news items last year was the announcement by the Société Nautique de Genève, the yacht club defending the America's Cup, that Valencia was chosen to host the 2007 Cup. What was most striking was not the choice of venue, but to what extent Valencia had planned their bid. more >
Portuguese Community Meeting On Culture Discusses Cooperation
The Portuguese Speaking Community International Meeting on Culture and Development is exploring a forum for a permanent cultural consultation. more >
Library Council Launched
The National Council for Library and Information Services has finally been launched, eight years after the idea was first mooted. more >
Forum Urges Cultural Infusion in Development
The United Nations Forum for Arts and Culture has appealed to the Nigerian Government to prioritise culture in the formulation of national developmental policies. more >
Switzerland Is A Nation Of Museum Lovers
Half the Swiss population visits a museum at least once a month, according to a survey. more >
Whitney Museum Presents Less Controversial Biennial Show
In New York, the Whitney Museum of American Art is presenting its 72nd Biennial show of contemporary art, long known as the most controversial art exhibition in the United States. more >
Pudong Art Centre To Open
Pudong's Oriental Art Centre opens to the public this autumn after 2 1/2 years of construction. more >
International Electroacoustic Music Festival to Open in Cuba
Sponsored by the National Music Center and the Laboratory of Electroacoustic Music, the 10th International Electroacoustic Music Festival Spring in Havana 2004 will take place March 15 through 21. more >
Essence of the City:Exploring San Francisco's secrets, one project at a time
The Bureau of Urban Secrets sets out to hook artists up with the city in direct and concrete ways. A lot of artists say, "I paint the city," but they tend to project onto the city rather than work with the city that they've got. more >
Arts Council's Left Stumped As Quinn Quits Job
The dramatic decision by the director of the Arts Council Ireland, Patricia Quinn, to quit her job came completely out of the blue and left board members stunned, it emerged yesterday. more >
Greeks Put Stop To 'Elgin Marbles' Museum
The new Greek government has stopped work on a £700 million museum being built to house the Elgin Marbles and legal action has begun against those who authorised the project. more >
Kurdish Artists Push For Political Goals
For years, many Kurdish artists dedicated their talents to fueling Kurdish resistance to Saddam Hussein, and documenting his atrocities. more >
United Against Piracy
The Performing Musician Association of Nigeria, in collaboration with Musician Union of Ghana have joined forces against piracy. more >
International Art Festival To Be Held In Anhui
The Sixth China International Folk Art Festival will be held in Huangshan City in east China's Anhui Province during the country's week-long national day period this year which begins from October 1. more >
U.S. Indecency Bills Draw Fire
Lobbyists representing recording artists and broadcasters have a new No. 1 priority - defeating a provision in the indecency bills passed last week by the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee and the House. more >
Seminar-Trainings for Culture Policy Is Over
Azerbaijan Cultural Association 'Simurg' has hosted a seminar-training within the frames of the project 'Assistance to building the new cultural policy'. more >
Indian Entertainment Industry Grows 15 Per Cent In 2003
India's entertainment industry has grown 15 per cent in 2003 and seems poised for massive growth over the next few years. more >
All Of Bogota A Stage
Colombia´s capital, Bogota, will become a huge stage March 26 through April 11, with more than 500 shows from 185 theatre groups, 140 of them from that country. more >
Quebec On Course ‘To Shine Among The Best’
Prime Minister of Quebec, Mr Jean Charest has made public the governmental reference document he hopes will pave the way for a positive and productive reaffirmation of Quebecois identity. more >
Filmmakers Cry Foul
The Ghana Video Producers' Association has appealed to it's Government to consider restricting the importation of films, particularly Nigerian product. more >
WIPO Lays Building Blocks For Protection of Traditional Knowledge
A key committee of the World Intellectual Property Organisation has met to discuss concrete steps for accelerated international work on protection of traditional knowledge and folklore. more >
Artists Suffer As Copyright Act Gathers Dust
Four years ago Zimbabwean lawmakers drafted what they thought was a noble legislation that would protect artists' rights on their works and curb the rampant piracy that has been a cancer to local art. more >
Programme To Reconnect Young Jamaicans With Their Heritage Launched
An innovative Jamaican Birthright Internship Programme, aimed at reconnecting overseas-based young Jamaicans with their heritage, is receiving praises from Jamaicans living in Toronto. more >
Sweden Beats US As Most 'Creative' Nation
US competitiveness might be in danger from a lack of tolerance and unwelcoming immigration policies, while some European countries are getting better at attracting creative talent, shows a new study. more >
Authors' Rights Organisation Gets Training Centre
A considerable facelift is expected for Africa's intellectual property sector following confirmation of the construction of a regional training centre for the Organisation of African Intellectual Property. more >
NYC artists still faring poorly
Despite huge infusions of crisis-aid funding from both public and private sources following the events of 9/11, a new study finds that artists, including performing artists in New York are still suffering great economic misfortunes with very little end in sight. more >
Arts: It's only business as usual
The Paul Martin Liberal government's 2004-2005 budget is a steady-as-she-goes document for the Canadian culture sector. And while this may make the bean counters happy, it's making the sector itself unhappy. more >
Iran Mullahs To Set Up Art Centre In Iraq
Head of Iran's Islamic Culture and Communications Organisation, Mahmoud Mohammadi Araqi, has announced that Iran is ready to set up a cultural and arts centre in Baghdad. more >
Reopening of Iraq's National Museum in a year
Iraqi Culture Minister Mufid al-Jazairi says Iraqis should first have a chance to view the archeological treasures held by a reopened National Museum before they are sent abroad. more >
Museums Join Forces
Three contemporary art museums in three major American cities - New York, Los Angeles and Chicago - are teaming up to commission, buy and exhibit the work of emerging young artists. more >
Shanghai Invites International Designing For Urban Sculptures
The oriental metropolis of Shanghai is seeking bids internationally to design sculptures for major public places. more >
Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Introduces Monthly Concert Series
To promote greater appreciation of the country's culture and art forms, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, has introduced a monthly concert series, aptly called 'An Evening at Louise', in honour of cultural icon, Louise Bennett-Coverly. more >
Museum Opens With Masterpieces Saved From The Nazis
Vienna, a city already rich with some 160 museums, gets a new one dedicated to masterpieces of European art that were rescued from the Nazis and kept in warehouses in the tiny principality of Liechtenstein until now. more >
Rwanda's Genocide Museum Gives Victims A Face
Rwanda is rushing to complete a $2.5 million genocide museum in time to host next month's memorial ceremonies marking the 10th anniversary of the 1994 mass slaughter. more >
New Rule Issued To Bolster Movie Industry
China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television is speeding up the draft of a movie promotion law as the first effort to create legislation for its movie industry. more >
Work From Ashes Of 11 September Wins Major Art Award
An artist whose work was made from dust collected from the streets of Manhattan in the wake of the terror attacks of 11 September scooped the first award last night of one of the biggest prizes in the arts world. more >
April 2004
Growing Arts And Educational Ties With Norway
The Namibia Association of Norway - Namas - will be celebrating its 25th anniversary of continuous of cultural and educational support with the people of the country next year. more >
Nama Awards Raise Artists' Status
The Nama Awards have raised the status and standing of Zimbabwe artists in the public eye, at home and abroad. more >
Greedy Developers Strip South Africa of Historic Gems
More than 40 protected buildings have been illegally torn down across South Africa in the past two years - and heritage watchdogs are largely powerless to stop it. more >
Getty Trust and World Monuments Fund team up for Iraq conservation
Two of the world’s most powerful conservation bodies have joined forces to help Iraq restore its cultural heritage. more >
Lula To Open Amazonian Art Exhibit in Beijing
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will open an Amazonian art exhibit in the Forbidden City of Beijing during his visit to China late May. more >
Does dance need celebrity?
Victoria Beckham is being courted by English National Ballet to be its public face. Lyndsey Winship asks if - and how - she could help more >
'FSTV' Set to Revolutionise Satellite TV Broadcasting
The near monopolistic hold foreign cable television companies have on the satellite television sector in Nigeria's is under threat, as the nation's first indigenous satellite television company makes its debut. more >
Cambodians Turn Weapons Into Art
At the Peace of Art Project Cambodia studio, 23 university art students are learning how to transform weapons of war into messages of peace. more >
China's First Film Law Ready To Make Debut
China's first-ever film promotion law should be drafted by May, and the final version is expected to be implemented next year, indicate media reports. more >
Angolan Culture Ministry Wants Theatre Arts Improved
Angolan Vice Minister of Culture, André Mingas has encourgaed proactive development of theatre arts at both provincial and national levels. more >
Archeologists Mourn Plunder Of Iraq's Treasures
The crime is low-tech and bloodless, but it is slowly robbing humanity of the roots of its own existence. more >
Arts Centre Blazes New Trail
The Shanghai Orient Arts Centre is breaking the mould, inviting public bids for its management and operation. more >
Nairobi To Host Cultural Show
Nairobi is about to play host to the largest cultural show in East Africa in recent times. more >
Final Curtain Looms For Scottish Opera Staff
Scottish Opera is considering axing a third of its staff in a desperate bid to avert financial meltdown. more >
Central Europe's First Holocaust Museum Set To Open In Budapest
The first Holocaust museum in Central Europe is set to open in Budapest - on the 60th anniversary of the day Hungary's pro-Nazi regime started rounding up Jews to confine them in ghettos. more >
Cuban And Foreign intellectuals Set To Meet On African and Afro-Latin American Culture
Cuban and foreign intellectuals will meet this month in the city of Santiago de Cuba to discuss African and Afro-Cuban culture on the Island. more >
Iranian Films To be Screened In Italy
Two Iranian films will be screened in Milan, Italy, to collect financial assistance for the reconstruction of Iran's Bam quake-leveled city. more >
Art Accompanies And Signifies The Aftermath Of Apartheid
The Nelson Mandela Bridge, opened last summer at the celebration of the hero's 85th birthday, symbolises the unity this country is striving to achieve. more >
Harare International Festival Of The Arts Set to Introduce Youth Zone
The Harare International Festival Of The Arts is set to introduce a place where the youths can gather and revel in the unique mood of arts. more >
American Indian Curator Hopes To Tell All Sides Of Mission Story
Andrew Galvan stands on the steps of the old adobe building and sees a relic of a colonial crusade that wreaked havoc on his ancestors. more >
Free Trade Agreement To 'Reduce Cultural Voice'
Australia's cultural voice would be reduced to a whisper if the proposed free trade agreement with the United States went ahead, a federal government committee was told. more >
Art Under The Microsope To Feature At World Cancer Congress
Transformations in Science and Art - the monumental cross media art work by English artists Denise Wyllie and Clare O’Hagan, is to be featured at The 7th World Congress of Psycho-Oncology, August 2004 in Copenhagan. more >
New Zealand Musical Voice Heard Around The World
The success of SOUNZ, the Centre for New Zealand Music, would seem to suggest that New Zealand notes are all the global rage. more >
NEA Announces Writing Program For Troops
At a poets' conference in New Hampshire last spring, the chairman of The National Endowment for the Arts found himself discussing an event that couldn't have seemed further away: The U.S. led invasion of Iraq. more >
Ministry Of Culture Works For Book Act
The Angolan Ministry of Culture is working for the enforcement of a bill regulating the promotion, protection and distribution of books in the country. more >
Kano Establishes Mobile Court To Preserve Culture, Beliefs
The Kano State government has established a mobile court to bring to justice people involved in the proliferation of entertainment which has tendencies against the norms of the state. more >
Tunisia Gets First Private Television Station
'The Hannibal Channel', Tunisia's first private television station, will start broadcasting by next October. more >
London To Become 'Film Friendly'
London is to be made more 'film friendly' in a bid to have more movies made in the city. more >
Alliance Francaise Director Advocates Cultural Exchange Among Nations
The Director of Alliance Francaise, Ilorin, Kwara State, Mrs. Joyce S. Ayinmodu, has called for more cultural exchanges between countries, particularly Nigeria and France. more >
Cultural Revolution Museum To Bring Back Memories Of Unusual Past
China’s first museum dedicated to the 'cultural revolution' will bring back vivid memories of those unusual times. The museum is scheduled to open later this year in Dayi County, Sichuan Province. more >
Berlin Plans Globe Theatre Replica
Berlin has taken the first steps in building a replica of the original Globe Theatre, at which many of Shakespeare's plays were first performed. more >
Am I Fired, Darling? Opera Staff Warned Over Language
Employees at a major British opera company have been banned from calling each other 'darling' in a bid to bring the theatre world into line with Government guidelines on sex discrimination. more >
Major Institutions Applaud Changes As Long Overdue
The leaders of Scotland’s major arts institutions have lined up to praise the Executive’s cultural rethink as long overdue, and have rallied behind the man to lead it. more >
Scrutiny Of Scots' Access To Arts
A 'once in a generation' review of the arts, which makes widening access to arts and culture a cornerstone of public policy, has been announced by Scotland's Culture Minister. more >
Che Guevara Studies Centre To Open In Havana
A new centre dedicated to the life and work of Ernesto Che Guevara will open in Havana on June 14, the 76th anniversary of his birth, his daughter Aleida recently announced. more >
Artistes From Across India To 'Dance For Peace'
An artistic expression of the message for world peace will unfold in the supple moves and gestures of dancers from across India on World Dance Day, April 29. more >
Orang Asli Museum To Preserve Their Heritage
An Orang Asli Special Arts Museum will be built to house all items relating to their culture, arts and heritage in the Paya Indah Wetlands at a cost of RM4 million. more >
Museum Holds Japanese Internment Memories
Hundreds of former detainees and their descendants traveled to the Manzanar National Historic Site in California for the opening of a National Park Service museum that preserves a bitter memory for many Japanese Americans. more >
Heritage Malta Defends Language Museum Project
Heritage Malta's language museum in Vittoriosa is not intended to be another dead museum but one alive and buzzing with activity. more >
Musicians Cry Foul Over HIFA
As the Harare International Festival of the Arts swings into action, some Zimbabwean musicians feel robbed of the limelight. more >
Don't Stint The Arts
Having only been in the in his new job for '35 minutes', James Boyle, the iconoclastic and now ex-chairman of the Scottish Arts Council, has a simple task - to give culture a fair crack of the whip. more >
National Museum of Korea Moves
The National Museum of Korea, located inside the Gyeongbok Palace in downtown Seoul, is currently moving its artifacts to a new and permanent home. more >
Folk Art Festival For Hyderabad
The Indian Department of Culture is organising a month-long folk art festival at Ravindra Bharathi from May 1, to celebrate the rich folk art tradition of the State. more >
Boost For Arts In Capital Planned
Creative London, a new programme for the capital's arts industries, launched today with an ambitious brief to raise their cash value by a third to £32bn within 10 years. more >
Circus Settles HIV Lawsuit
Cirque du Soleil has agreed to pay $US600,000 to settle a lawsuit by an HIV-positive gymnast who the circus fired as a health risk to other performers. more >
Cuba Launches Fourth TV Channel
Cuba has inaugurated its fourth nationwide TV channel, whose programming will be aimed at boosting the Cuban people´s education and culture. more >
Senate Warmly Welcomes Arthur Miller
Playwright Arthur Miller, who a half-century ago refused to cooperate with the House's anti-communist campaign, got a warmer reception in the Senate when he returned Wednesday to again defend the rights of fellow writers. more >
Urban Institute Releases Study On Effective Philanthropy
A new study from the Urban Institute finds that many grantmaking foundations are not engaging in practices that, according to their own standards, are important for effectiveness and that attitudes on performance vary greatly across the field. more >
May 2004
Arts Agency 'Should Leave London'
Arts Council England should move from London and set up its headquarters in the regions as a 'symbolic statement' of commitment to projects outside the capital, according to a leading independent think-tank. more >