International News in 2007
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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 2007
Cultural Democracy Vital
The Chairman of the African Union Commission Alpha Omar Konare launched the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance at the official opening of the First Pan African Cultural congress of the African Union held on November 13, 2006 at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. more >
Adoption for art lovers
Instead of writing a check, an art lover writes from the heart about a work – and the artist takes it in exchange for art. more >
Quiet libraries morphing into busy community hubs
It's business as usual at the library — but it's a new type of business. The quiet buildings once devoted solely to reading and research have become busy community hubs. more >
Can culture be China's next export?
As China's economy has continued its double-digit growth, entrepreneurs are beginning to ask if the country's rich cultural heritage backed by 5,000 years of history would be translated into products of universal appeal? more >
Bridging the Generation Gap in Arts and Culture Leadership: Taking the First Steps
This is the second of two articles on the generational transitioning of leadership in the arts. more >
Where are the black visitors in my gallery?
The National Gallery is not just for the white middle class, it is for people of all races. The trick is to entice them inside. more >
Call for trust to run capital culture
A single cultural trust should be created to fund and oversee theatres, galleries, and even festivals in the Scottish capital, the city's departing director of leisure and culture has urged. more >
Swiss extend cultural links with India
The Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia, hopes to foster a strong cultural exchange with India with the opening of a liaison office in New Delhi on Monday. more >
American director's theater foray into China
Drama in Beijing is no longer only the preserve of the top-billing, professional artists at the Peking Opera House. Community theater has come to Beijing -- and in English. more >
Former Cuban officials resurface, enrage artists
Cuban officials who purged cultural circles in the 1960s and '70s have reappeared in public, causing outrage among the island's intellectuals and artists. more >
Palestinian International Arts Academy sees light
The Palestinian International Arts Academy, the first in the region, has become a reality after four years of anticipation and Palestinian artists can now pay their dues to their society through artwork presented in a creative and innovative atmosphere. more >
U.S. Overseas Image Gets New Focus
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will announce today the creation of a new annual award to honor a company, academic institution or other nongovernmental entity that does the most to promote the U.S. image abroad through intercultural understanding, State Department officials said. more >
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT, MINISTER OF CULTURE DISCUSS SITUATION IN SECTOR OF CULTURE
Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Hasmik Poghosyan have met to discuss the situation in the sector of culture and steps to improve it. more >
Teaching English bardly
The Bard may soon return to Queensland schools as the Federal Government considers making Shakespeare compulsory for English students. more >
Youth Theatre is Growing in Leaps And Bounds
Various national youth theatre projects are to be implemented this year by Assitej-Namibia (Organization of Theatre for Children and Young People), it was announced by the executive committee of the organization. more >
Do You Culture?
Do you culture? Do you care? Does it challenge? Does it change? What is the role of culture in 21 st century Malta? What does the future hold for Maltese artists? more >
Skills for Arts Managers: A Local Point of View
What does a Lithuanian drama club and a German intercultural project or a Polish hospital foundation with a Finish dance company have in common? more >
St Patrick’s Festival man is Irish arts policy adviser
Irish arts minister John O’Donoghue has appointed a new arts policy consultant, his third in a little more than two years. more >
An artful dilemma
The Israeli government is struggling with a measure that would promote the cultural exchange of artworks and artifacts from abroad. more >
EU rules changes on '07 horizon
After years of political wrangling, plans to overhaul EU audiovisual and media rules are expected to finally complete their convoluted journey through the European decision-making machine by the middle of this year. more >
UK Government under fire over plans to slash museum budgets
Government plans to slash museum and art gallery budgets will set institutions back a decade, leading art-world figures have claimed. more >
£1billion needed to keep the finest works of art in Britain
The Government is being urged to set up a £1 billion emergency art fund to ensure that 25 of Britain's most prestigious paintings are not sold abroad. more >
Predecessor’s grievances haunt Tehran Symphony Orchestra conductor
Nearly two years since the resignation of former Tehran Symphony Orchestra conductor Ali Rahbari, the current conductor is complaining about the same things that caused Rahbari to quit: financial problems! more >
India's art market booming
The auction market for Indian art alone was worth $150 million last year, up from $52 million the year before. more >
Bloomberg and Council Change Arts Financing
Declaring that they had wearied of their annual dance over arts financing, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the City Council announced yesterday that they would make more money available to arts groups, award it on a merit basis and widen a peer-review process to level the playing field. more >
Ontario report urges help for artists
The median income of arts workers in Ontario is $10,000 a year. Can the new Report on the Socio-Economic Status of the Artist in Ontario, written for the Ministry of Culture under the aegis of arts lawyer Aaron Milrad, change that? more >
Hopes for Brandis as breath of fresh air
Calling one's prime minister a "lying rodent" shows considerable courage and flair - two qualities admired by the arts community. more >
The homeless home of Scottish theatre
The National Theatre of Scotland has had a fantastic debut year, but is that because of, or despite the fact that it doesn't have a building of its own? more >
Czech President appoints Jehlicka new culture minister
Czech President Vaclav Klaus appointed senator Vaclav Jehlicka (Christian Democrats, KDU-CSL) new culture minister. more >
French Cultural Policy: A healthy economy is the cause, not effect, of a healthy cultural sector
Adrian Ellis' view on a series of measures announced by French Minister of Culture designed to boost the vitality of the contemporary visual arts scene in France. more >
February 2007
A Vision in the Desert
Abu Dhabi is on the verge of an audacious leap. Over the next decade or so it aims to become one of the great cultural centers of the Middle East: the heir, in its way, to cosmopolitan cities of old like Beirut, Cairo and Baghdad. more >
Indian city seeks transformation through arts festival
Can an arts festival transform an entire city? In Europe, certainly. Cannes, Salzburg and Edinburgh have all benefited enormously — in jobs, tourism and image — from being branded as festival cities. So why not also Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, India's largest state? more >
Massive Cairo book fair sets religious tone
At the Cairo Book Fair, the largest and most important event of its kind in the Arab world, religious works dominate, while literature and scientific texts are often pushed to the margins. more >
Waiting for the axe to fall
The most worrying aspect of the coming Ice Age is the way it has split the arts into rival camps, performing and visual, and sundered London from the rest of the country. more >
National Arts Council Should Replace The BNCC
The Botswana National Cultural Council, as it currently stands, is outmoded, superfluous and redundant. more >
The revolution will not be satirised
How can theatre tell the truth if it can't criticise? How can dancers perform if they can't touch? Brian Logan travels to Iran to see how its artists tackle taboos and censorship. more >
Barbican chief Tusa joins Tory taskforce
Sir John Tusa, widely respected for having turned round the fortunes of London's Barbican centre, is to lead a new Conservative taskforce on the arts. more >
Indie Music Takes on the Majors
If indie music were a major label, it would be the biggest in the world - and in a way, that's what's about to happen. more >
Hong Kong ADC Launches New Awards
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) is aiming to “enhance the social status of arts practitioners” with a new set of Arts Development Awards. more >
Cultural Agencies See Boost From Bush Budget
The federal cultural agencies and museums received solid support yesterday from the White House in the proposed budget for fiscal 2008. more >
Musiga Chairman Challenges Country's Musicians
A Chairman of the Musicians' Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) laments that a lack of appropriate cultural development strategies and funding has undermined the capacity to fully exploit the cultural potential of African music. more >
Ancient Temples Face Modern Assault
A rapid rise in tourism is overwhelming Cambodia's ability to protect fragile sites. more >
Just pay the piano player
It's Use It or Lose It time for the artists of Canada. more >
Italy increases arts spending
Italy has upped arts funding 17% to a total Euros 441 million ($573 million) for 2007 in the first tangible sign of the center-left government's more pro-arts stance compared with the days when Silvio Berlusconi ran the country. more >
Cultural Policy of Belize
The Latin American country along the bay of Honduras – the Maya name of which means 'muddy water' – has a relatively well organised cultural policy. more >
Surreptitious Snapshots
The proliferation of digital cameras is changing the museum experience for visitors and the institutions themselves. more >
INCD MEMBERSHIPS DRIVE
The International Network for Cultural Diversity (INCD) has issued an urgent call for members. more >
AGENDA 21 WORKING GROUP REPORTS
United Cities and Local Governments Working Group on Culture adopted two documents at its meeting on 24 October 2006 in Barcelona. more >
Cultural property advice portal sets sale online
If you are thinking of buying or selling art, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has created a website that should be every art and antiques enthusiast’s first port of call. more >
Oscar quartet plead for more theatre subsidy
Britain's finest hopes for the Oscars - Dames Helen Mirren and Judi Dench, director Stephen Frears and writer Patrick Marber - are calling on the government to continue its support for British theatre. more >
Culture Ministry And Agents Sign Financial Agreements
The Ministry of Culture and national cultural agents Thursday signed financial contracts in the light of State's programme of support to artistic cultural activities of 2006. more >
Accounting for taste
What's behind the Arts Council's anniversary appeal for a 'national debate'? more >
Armenian diaspora invited to church opening
Turkey has invited members of the Armenian diaspora and Armenian religious leaders to the opening of a restored ancient Armenian church in April. more >
Human knowledge eroded as endangered languages die
"The extinction of ideas we now face has no parallel in human history," says K. David Harrison in the book "When Languages Die," more >
Cities of no culture
The inspirational role of town halls in bringing art to the people is rapidly becoming a dim memory more >
Art Cash Plea
Bahrain Information Minister Dr Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar is asking the government for more money to spend on promoting arts. more >
His pitch for the arts has kept NEA alive
Dana Gioia has made education programs the top priority for the once-embattled agency. more >
Americans for the Arts to survey arts environment
On February 13, CEO Robert L. Lynch announced "a strategic planning initiative that will have a significant impact on the future of the arts" — a comprehensive scan of the arts landscape, to see how well they've done, and find out what yet needs to be accomplished. more >
Country Dances to Dar's Tune
Officials of Kenya's presidential Music Commission are currently studying Tanzania's music policy in the hope of incorporating sections of it in a final draft of a proposed policy of its own. more >
It's curtain up on Edinburgh's campaign to retain arts body
Leaders from the business and arts worlds joined forces with politicians today to launch a campaign to keep Scotland's main arts body in the Capital. more >
New publication gives global voice to Vietnamese artists
Aart, a new publication chronicling and promoting contemporary art in Viet Nam, has been released in HCM City by Mogas Station, a collective of international artists based in the city. more >
Arts Organizations Adjust to Decline in Funding
Arts groups are going to increasing lengths to secure marketing support. more >
Drama despite the Establishment
At last December's press conference heralding this year's Tokyo International Arts Festival, Artistic Director Sachio Ichimura was in a less than festive mood. more >
Giving Europe a Soul?
In a speech delivered at the conference "A Soul for Europe," German filmmaker Wim Wenders says Europeans must believe in the power of their own imagery. more >
Why a clean-up would be a clear-out
The art market is the last significant unregulated market in the UK and the US, subject to only the most rudimentary oversight. more >
20th Arts Advocacy Day to be held in Washington DC
In March, arts advocates from all over the country will gather in the nation's capital for two days of workshops, presentations, and visits to members of Congress to lobby for increased public funding for the arts. more >
400 years later, opera looks to the next act
European opera managers and directors gathered in Paris to address the central question: What is opera's place in the 21st century? more >
Arts venues fear ‘devastating’ cuts
Arts Council England has drawn up secret plans for sharp cuts in funding to theatres, galleries and music venues. more >
INTER-AMERICAN COMMITTEE ON CULTURE UNVEILS AMBITIOUS PROGRAMS
An ambitious hemispheric agenda for culture will examine effective culture and arts programs from around the Americas that help young people resist the allure of gangs. more >
Tchaikovsky Goes to the Cineplex
Movie theater simulcasts by the Metropolitan Opera have created a new, hybrid form of entertainment, says Philip Kennicott, "and so the scattered but substantial audience for a very old and elite art form is suddenly made manifest, to itself and to the rest of the world, by gathering in theaters designed for mass entertainment." more >
MEPs to criticise 'big-bang' policy on music rights
MEPs in the European Parliament's legal affairs committee are set to adopt a report on collective cross-border management of copyright saying a "big-bang" style introduction of competition into the collective management of authors' rights could damage cultural diversity in Europe. more >
March 2007
'Inside the wire'
The pressures of confinement in Guantánamo Bay have led many in the controversial detention camp to turn to poetry. But American authorities are very reluctant to let the world see them. more >
Why should artists be agents for the government?
Did you know America has a Hip Hop Ambassador appointed by The US Department of State? Or that the ice skater Michelle Kwan holds the office of American Public Diplomacy Envoy? You can now rest at night, knowing the future of the world is taken care of with skating and rapping. Soon a similarly influential role could be coming to an artist or cultural organisation near you. more >
Policy by donor countries
What part does culture play in the development cooperation policy of the various donor countries? more >
Of poetry and princes
It's no longer compulsory for western poets to starve in garrets, but they are expected to survive on meagre advances and the occasional public handout. In the United Arab Emirates, this Romantic image of poetic poverty holds little sway. more >
Blair's speech on the arts in full
Tony Blair delivered a wide-ranging speech on cultural policy at London's Tate Modern earlier this month. This is the full text. more >
B.C. arts groups to get $6.5M for new works
A public-private partnership called Arts Partners in Creative Development will give British Columbia arts organizations $6.5 million in new funding over the next three years. more >
Cultural Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago: A Lesson for Nigeria
Dr. Biko Agozino offers a few tips for "cultural industries" in Africa. more >
Global capital of culture
The past 10 years have been a golden age for British arts, and Blair can take some credit. more >
CULTURE MINISTER SAYS MUSEUMS ARE HEART OF UK CULTURAL RENAISSANCE
Less than a week after Prime Minister Tony Blair hailed the success of Britain's creative economy and the arts, Culture Minister David Lammy has made a speech placing the nation’s museums at the heart of the UK’s 'cultural renaissance'. more >
Educators charge arts lag under No Child Left Behind
Critics say that No Child Left Behind, the massive education reform act that President Bush signed into law in 2002, has "left behind" arts education. more >
Congress holds first hearing on arts funding in 12 years
Jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, actor Chris Klein and BET co-founder Sheila Johnson pressed Congress on Tuesday to restore funding for the arts to levels from 15 years ago - before those funds were slashed. more >
Arts Management, Capacity Building Vital for Cultural Sector
The cultural conference that was held on Goree Island off Senegal last week identified four primary concerns that need urgent attention if the African cultural sector is to make much headway. more >
Metropolitan Museum Will Let Art Historians Use High-Quality Digital Images Free
The Metropolitan Museum of Art unveiled today a long-awaited program that will make high-resolution digital images of works in its collection freely available to scholars. more >
Online skills site finds a creative new home
ProjectsETC - the information-sharing site for people creating digital projects - will be taken over by Creative & Cultural Skills (CC Skills) when Culture Online closes at the end of March 2007. more >
Brazilian Government Invests in Culture of Hip-Hop
An official government program that is helping to spread hip-hop culture across a vast nation of 185 million people. more >
Art world looks to Asia for painters and patrons
Art collectors, dealers and auction houses are increasingly looking east for inspiration and investment opportunities, eyeing the rising stars of Asian painting as well as the region's super-rich patrons. more >
Americans for the Arts Lobbies Congress for Increased Arts Funding
At the first congressional hearing on arts funding in twelve years, D.C.-based Americans for the Arts called on the federal government to restore funding of the National Endowment for the Arts to levels not seen since the 1990s. more >
In French campaign, artists have little to say
Is culture losing its political clout in France? That may seem a bit of a stretch, since the government still pours €2.9 billion into the arts every year — or 30 times the budget of the National Endowment for the Arts in the United States. more >
A battle to confine art treasures within city limits
Recent deals have revealed a struggle over the ownership of community-beloved art. more >
Arts purse strings loosened ahead of federal budget
Canada's Heritage Minister Bev Oda has made a flurry of arts funding announcements in the past week, ahead of Monday's federal budget. more >
Kilts won't be obligatory if it controls culture budgets, says SNP
Will the arts become a battleground during this May's election? What would Scottish cultural policy look like if the SNP could indeed forge a governing coalition? more >
Kenya Drawing Up Patent List
Kenya has began drawing a list of artefacts it wants patented by a United Nations agency to ward off increased intellectual piracy from the developed world. more >
Art Boom? What Art Boom? Collectors Head to Japan for Bargains
Here is the scorecard for the recent contemporary art auctions around the world: New York, $240 million; London, $229 million; Hong Kong, $67 million; Tokyo, $1.1 million. How can this be? more >
Iranian Academy of Arts to submit to UNESCO declaration against “300”
The Iranian Academy of Arts has prepared a declaration against onscreen Hollywood production of “300” to offer the UNESCO. more >
Cultural diversity? A pipe dream
The UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions entered into force on March 18. Rüdiger Wischenbart gives a quick overview of the realities behind translation. more >
Sofia Hosts Meeting of Culture Ministers Council from SE Europe
Culture plays a key role in the EU integration of the countries from Southeast Europe and in the Balkan region as a whole, Bulgaria's PM Sergey Stanishev said at the opening of the meeting of the Council of Culture ministers. more >
Diversity Makes the Difference
Europe’s cultural sector has called for cultural cooperation between the EU and third countries to form a strong part of EU foreign policy. more >
Museums are Theatres
Museums are no longer ivory towers, but local theatres open to the community, claim French economists. more >
ACE demands rise in Treasury funding after Olympics bruising
Arts Council England chief executive Peter Hewitt has warned that, following the loss of more than £100 million of arts funding to the 2012 Olympics, the culture sector needs a real terms funding rise in the forthcoming spending round to avoid a “return to the days of boom and bust”. more >
Leaving Room for the Troublemakers
The more successful a museum grows, the more elitist it tends to become. more >
`Golden Era' for the Arts Will End After Blair: Norman Lebrecht
The U.K. has fostered a mixed economy in which state funding, corporate and individual sponsorship and box office provide roughly equal thirds of the revenue of major arts institutions. That happy equation is about to change with the waning of the Blair regime. more >
Museums Increasingly Receiving More Than Just Art
In years past, museum directors could be confident that when a patron called to discuss an in-kind gift, it was to talk about donating a work of art. more >
Canadian artists celebrate Canada Council birthday
Some of the country's best known artists are in Ottawa paying tribute to the Canada Council for the Arts on its 50th anniversary and sharing stories about how the agency helped them get to where they are today. more >
I am the Ministry
Culture Ministry Director General Eitan Broshi insists he has no political agenda. Others beg to differ. more >
Oda defends museum policy
Conservative government is standing by its policy that the nation's museums need to stop expecting public money to be available whenever they need it. more >
National Cultural Policy Document Launched
Zimbabweans should venture into manufacturing of cultural products to save foreign currency being used in the importation of the commodities, Vice President Joice Mujuru has said. more >
Joburg lands World Arts Summit
Johannesburg has won the bid to host the fourth World Summit on Arts and Culture in 2009. more >
This Arts Council cut will devastate theatre
Two weeks ago it was announced that £675million of lottery funding would be diverted from the arts in order to pay for the Olympics, but nobody realised quite how quickly and painfully the cuts would start to bite. Now we do, and it hurts a great deal. more >
Artistes Urged to Plough Back Into Communities
Artists should plough back into the communities rather than being perceived as hapless and helpless people in perennial need of assistance, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe deputy director Elvas Mari has said. more >
New Music Economics (Part 3): Keeping Up With the Rent
Orchestras are frequently criticized for not playing enough new music. But less attention is focused on the cost of such "adventurous programming," both from the viewpoint of orchestras renting new scores and the publishers and composers producing them. more >
Battle for Venice Exhibition Space
French billionaire Francois Pinault and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation are neck and neck in the race to turn a disused Venice customs building into a contemporary-arts center. more >
Visa costs threaten to silence visiting musicians
Foreign musicians hoping to perform in the UK are running up against a slew of exorbitant new visa fees. more >
April 2007
First Gulf Art Fair lays the foundations
The desert emirate of Dubai has a seven-star hotel, an indoor ski slope, the world’s biggest shopping mall—and soon the tallest building. Work goes on round the clock to construct three off-shore residential complexes, one of which replicates the globe in a series of islands. All the place needed was an art fair, and now it has that too. more >
Zimbabwe German Society Brings Artists Together
The Zimbabwe German Society is rapidly becoming a Festpielhaus for artists from Zimbabwe and those laden with the cultures and traditions of Germany and other countries. more >
Nations urged to preserve traditions and customs
The first Regional Meeting for the Arab States on Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage got under way on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair yesterday, bringing countries together to encourage the preservation of traditions, beliefs and customs. more >
The future of American opera finds its roots in the heartland
The cost and logistical difficulty of presenting opera used to mean that only the largest metropolises could afford to put on anything innovative or impressive. But times are changing. more >
India ratifies Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention
India's Tourism and Culture Minister, Ambika Soni, has welcomed and enthusiastically ratified the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention. more >
UNESCO MEETING OF EXPERTS ON INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE CONVENTION CONCLUDES
A UNESCO meeting of experts on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Convention has concluded in Dehli. more >
Arts Council of England's Grants Budget Cut by More Than One-Third
The Arts Council of England has had its budget for grants — that is, the government money given to large and small organization alike to support their operations and programming — cut by 35%, effective April 1. more >
Global Conference Tackles Kenyan Arts
Kenyan literature and culture was the subject of various panels at this year's African Literature Association. more >
Intelligent art is a foolish concept
Why does the art world still measure artistic talent in academic terms? more >
State funding breathes life back into arts
A few years back, many state coffers were bare. When budgets had to be slashed, arts funding was one of the biggest casualties. Now that money is coming back — and it has everything to do with local economics. more >
Arts supremo attacks Brown over funding
National Gallery director hits out at Treasury for its failure to help protect artworks in the UK. more >
The perils of everything-but- the-kitchen-sink drama
In its funding priorities for 2007-2011, the Arts Council has decided to "give particular emphasis to experimental practice and interdisciplinary practice, circus and street arts". more >
Goverment to assist film makers
The Barbados film industry stands to benefit from a new structure of assistance coming from government. more >
Proposal for an indigenous art database
The federal government should adopt a national online database system to crack down on indigenous art fraud, a Senate committee has heard. more >
Shake-up behind closed doors
Two months into her new job as Australia Council chief executive, Kathy Keele needs no convincing of the importance of small to medium arts companies in Australia more >
The Arts Council must act like a partner - not a parent
Artists are finding it hard to trust the Arts Council, but it's not too late to repair the relationship. more >
Cultural treasures on lists to be protected in war
The Government is drawing up lists of New Zealand's most important cultural treasures so they can be protected in time of war. more >
Long-Term Arts Agreement Signed
Bank Windhoek has signed a 15-year agreement with Namibia's National Art Gallery. more >
Teachers Urged to Promote Art Education
The Deputy Minister of Education this week encouraged greater understanding and appreciation for arts and handicrafts, as well as the importance of culture in the country's education system. more >
China publishes dictionary of intangible cultural heritage
The Encyclopedia of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage was published Friday, using more than 3,000 pictures and 600,000 Chinese characters. more >
Debate focuses on a bright future for Scotland's arts
Plans to launch Creative Scotland as a super arts body and the threat to Edinburgh's festivals from other cities were two topics debated at a cultural hustings at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh. more >
Hello, 'cultural diversity' – goodbye, sovereignty
A new U.N. treaty entered into force on March 18, 2007: the "Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions." more >
The charge that Labour is philistine is absurd
After a week of criticism, the Culture Secretary comes out fighting in defence of arts funding. more >
Is Ghana a victim of cultural imperialsim?
It is in the general interest of the United States to encourage the development of a world in which the fault lines separating nations are bridged by shared interests. more >
High-tech battle against fakes
Can a new labelling system stop fraud in Aboriginal art? more >
New Director of Culture sets agenda
The new director of culture wants the image of culture to be revamped and is preparing to draft a policy that would spell out a new direction. more >
Royalty Resale Scheme dismissed by art dealers
Art dealers say a royalty for artists whose work is re-sold for higher prices would be a bureaucratic waste of time. more >
I’m sick to death of meddling philistines
Government arts policy is forged by ignorant bureaucrats and posturing barbarians, writes the furious Barbican chief. more >
Copyrighting culture: Tulalips assert rights to stories
The World Intellectual Property Rights Organization wants to use Tulalip law as a model for other indigenous groups worldwide. more >
Business urged to help arts
ANZ chief economist Saul Eslake says business should start directing its generosity to the arts instead of sport. more >
Arts leaders turn on Jowell over Olympics
Some UK senior arts and sports administrators warned that cuts in lottery funding to pay for the Olympics would undermine the future of their institutions and actually reduce participation in sport. more >
Artists Voice Anger Over 'Impracticality' of Copyright Law
Hundreds of artists, publishers and producers of Ethiopian music have staged an unprecedented demonstration to complain over the ineffectiveness of copyright law. more >
Free entry is still just the ticket
Steep declines in visitor numbers to Swedish museums show that paid entry is not the answer to current money troubles. more >
First Annual National Arts Policy Roundtable Recommendations
Research in the USA suggests that the arts are in the midst of a major shift in how nonprofit organizations are supported. more >
$33-million spent – and no one's happy
Organizations are critical about how Canada Council distributed special funds. more >
Zimbabwe All Set for Disbursement of Culture Funds
Preparations for the disbursement of culture funds are at an advanced stage, an official has said. more >
Payment sparked right royalty controversy in global art scene
The Ministry of Culture's Resale Royalty Rights Discussion Paper revives debate in the arts/law field technically known as droit de suite. more >
Cash for cultural festivals at centre of funding flap
Federal Tories are denying a "boondoggle" over a summer sponsorship program for local arts and culture festivals announced in the March budget. more >
Arts Council Gets New Seven-Member Board
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has a new seven-member board that will oversee the affairs of the council for the next three years. more >
Bill encourages artists’ donations (again)
For the fifth consecutive session of the US Congress, a bill has been introduced that would allow artists to deduct the fair market value of works of their own creation from their taxes, if they donate them to museums and libraries. more >
Culture Sector Neglected
Cultural issues are not being given enough attention in Uganda, the Amakula's East African Congress coordinator has noted. more >
Keep Moving
One museum's solution to the problem of crowds. more >
Angola, Cuba Sign Protocol in Artistic-Cultural Training
Angolan and Cuban Ministries of Culture have signed a cooperation accord in the domain of artistic-cultural training, seeking the transmission of knowledge to future teachers of the county`s cultural subjects teaching institutions. more >
Swiss Muslims plan giant Islamic centre
One of the largest Islamic cultural centres in Europe could be constructed in the Swiss capital, Bern. more >
STAFF ARE CONED OFF FROM CHATTING
Scottish Executive staff have been ordered to put a yellow plastic cone on their desks - to stop colleagues speaking to them if they are busy. more >
Nonprofit Arts Groups Face Leadership Gap as Boomers Retire, Study Finds
Nonprofit arts organizations must act now to forestall a looming leadership crisis that will occur as the current generation of arts administrators and volunteers starts to retire, a new report has found. more >
May 2007
What happened to dance under Blair?
Our venues are shinier than ever, but the recent cuts in funding could spell disaster for the next generation of dance talent. more >
Artwork - Tool for Fighting Food Insecurity
Artwork is emerging as a pivotal aspect of winning the war against hunger. more >
Can culture dictate the way we see?
A new study suggests that culture may shape the way our brains process visual information. more >
Government to Stop Sponsoring Arts Courses
Uganda's leading university "may soon have no arts students admitted". more >
New International Initiative: Museums & Community Collaborations Abroad
The American Association of Museums (AAM) is pleased to announce a new partnership in cultural diplomacy with the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), called Museums & Community Collaborations Abroad (MCCA). more >
Raising Japan's Cool Quotient
Japan, long admired for its manufacturing excellence, is boosting its cultural influence globally by exporting its particular brand of hip. more >
Better protection for performing artists working outside their home country
The employment conditions for performing artists who move around Europe as part of their work should be improved, and they should be better informed on how to transfer their social rights, says the Culture Committee in a report adopted on Monday calling for better protection for artists and the introduction of a special electronic social security card. more >
Uniting People Around Culture
The uniqueness of African culture is in gradual decline. more >
Saving libraries from extinction
In many countries, libraries are being closed because of a lack of resources. Jay Jordan is promising to save them from extinction, but to do so he is planning to completely change the way the library is constituted. more >
Tunes That Pay
Just as the rapid growth of piracy and illegal online downloading appeared to be strangling the music industry, a share rise in publishing has thrown a vital lifeline to the recording industry. more >
Culture department ‘is wasting millions renting swanky offices across London’
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is wasting millions of pounds on lavish offices at some of the best addresses in London. more >
Cultural Policy of Papua New Guinea
Ever since Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia in 1975, the country's government has faced a complicated challenge: which language will unify the country? more >
Do not neglect culture
The Rand Corporation's recently published 'The Beginner's Guide to Nation-Building' covers the basics with clarity and objectivity, but contains almost nothing about what is clearly the Achilles heel of recent nation-building adventures: culture. more >
Ottawa eyes new copyright, museums policies
The federal Department of Canadian Heritage is planning a new museums policy and revamping the nation's copyright law. more >
Rock 'n' roll PM: Blair's cultural legacy
Ten years after Tony Blair's first election win, we perhaps forget how much the cultural mood music of government changed. more >
City plans to fall for free arts events again
For the second straight year, arts organizations in Baltimore plan to offer free performances, lectures, exhibitions, workshops and other creative experiences in the fall. more >
Nicholas Motsatse about the World Arts Summit in Johannesburg
The eyes of the culture world are on South Africa as the country prepares to host the fourth World Summit on Arts and Culture in 2009. more >
The gift that keeps on giving
The Royal Opera House's new £10m endowment shows the way forward for the arts - a future in which there’s no need to rely on state handouts. more >
12 nations put on copyright piracy list
China, Russia and 10 other nations are targeted by the Bush administration for failing to sufficiently protect American producers of music, movies and other copyrighted material from widespread piracy. more >
State Too Dumb to Respect the Arts
There are hardly any governments which can claim to have "the soul" - or the heart - to appreciate good art, music, literature or drama. more >
Jordan, Japan discuss cultural cooperation
Japanese Cultural Attaché, Amman Susumu Yamashita, has expressed his country’s desire to contribute to celebration marking Irbed the “City of the Jordanian Culture” as one of the projects that move cultural activities to areas outside the capital city of Amman. more >
Iranian culture minister meets Tajik counterpart
The Culture Ministers of Iran and Tajikistan have met to discuss ways to boost cultural cooperation. more >
TURKMENISTAN: WHERE AUTHORITIES EMPHASIZE THE CULT IN CULTURE
Despite its inconsistencies, the goal of Turkmen cultural policy has always been clear: to establish a uniform myth of national identity that is closely identified with the country’s dictatorial first president, Saparmurat Niyazov. more >
A Cultural Crossroad for Romania and Bulgaria
What is the role of state support for this sector today and is there any promising future? This and other questions were put to prominent artists, arts managers, curators, researchers and policy-makers from Romania and Bulgaria. more >
Are you a network junkie?
Many cross-European cultural networks have moved quickly to extend their online presence, but this has had the side-effect of throwing a considerable amount of information into the public domain in an unregulated fashion under the name of 'knowledge', when it is really only 'data'. more >
NEW ARTS FUNDING PROGRAM TO FAN INNOVATION AND RENEWAL
The Beattie Government has announced a new funding program for small to medium arts organisations to further strengthen and develop this vibrant component of the arts industry. more >
Government Clarifies On Sponsorship of Arts
The Ministry of Education and Sports has refuted press reports that the government will stop sponsoring arts courses. more >
Amateur hours
When everybody is an artist, what happens to the art? more >
Sarkozy backs France's "unique cultural identity"
French President Nicolas Sarkozy promised on Sunday to maintain state support for France's cinema industry and pledged to keep up the country's traditional notion of its own "unique cultural identity". more >
Minister Launches Culture Week
The arts and cultural industries are critical in nation building as they enable us to have a sense of belonging by motivating us to define ourselves as a people, uniting and rallying us towards a shared vision, a Cabinet minister has said. more >
ALBANEL APPOINTED MINISTER OF CULTURE
Newly elected French president Nicolas Sarkozy has named Christine Albanel as minister of culture. more >
Entertainers Day proposed
The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry has suggested that the Government set aside a “Hari Seniman” (Entertainers Day) to mark the contributions of those in the entertainment industry. more >
State Committed to Funding Museums
Government is committed to the funding and development of museums at all levels, Manicaland Governor and Resident Minister Cde Tinaye Chigudu has said. more >
The Obasanjo Years: Motion without movement for arts, entertainment
Akintayo Abodunrin appraises arts and entertainment during the eight years of the Obasanjo government and concludes that it has not been a sweet tale for the sector. more >
Arts nonprofits fuel economy
Nonprofit arts groups, including museums, orchestras, theaters and dance companies, contributed $166.2 billion and 5.7 million jobs to the U.S. economy in 2005, according to an advocacy group urging more funding for the arts. more >
Cultural Exchange Programmes Vital, Says Minister
Cultural exchange programmes and the teaching of languages enhance bilateral co-operation and project implementation. more >
New Resource on Laws for Protection of Traditional Culture
A new resource, accessible on the WIPO Website, provides a selection of national and regional laws, regulations and model laws on the protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions (expressions of folklore) against misappropriation and misuse as well as legislative texts relevant to IP and genetic resources. It also includes complementary resources, such as comparative tables of laws. more >
Venice Biennale proposes becoming a selling show again
People who say that biennials have become covert art fairs may be surprised to know that the Venice Biennale used to sell art openly. more >
Fighting arts cuts with fun and games
First the Olympics slashed our funding, now artists are hosting their own sports day. Handbag hurling or invisible discus, anyone? more >
Nigerian gov't urges banks to support culture-based entrepreneurship
The Nigerian government has urged the banking sector to assist culture-based small and medium scale enterprises with soft loans to kick-start the processes of industrialization, official said on Monday. more >
VAT rebates for sports and cultural activities
VAT rebates and exemptions along with other fiscal incentives are at the heart of Labour’s plans for sports and culture to encourage people to take more part in sporting and cultural activities. more >
Iran and Spain discuss cultural ties expansion
The Iranian Ambassador to Madrid Seyyed Davud Salehi and director of the Casa Asia in Barcelona, Ion de la Riva, have met to discuss the expansion of cultural ties. more >
SURVEY REVEALS ALMOST TWO-THIRDS OF ADULTS USE MUSEUMS, LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES
A new survey published by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) shows that over 12 months, 64 per cent of adults, almost two thirds of the population, visited a museum, a library or an archive. more >
Together we can create a better world
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development celebrated for the first time in Azerbaijan. more >
Irish Arts Council opens public debate on ‘crucial role’ of the arts
The Irish Arts Council has launched a public debate on the value of the arts as the opening salvo in its bid for an increase in annual funding from central government to €100 million (£68 million) in 2008. more >
June 2007
Ukraine Reports on Cultural Policy
Ukraine became the 27th state member of the CoE reporting on its cultural policy. more >
Cultural Policy journal relaunched
The Department of Cultural Policy and Management has relaunched its multi-disciplinary ejournal. more >
An unfulfilled dream
After more than a decade of promoting tourism as an alternative industry for national development in Trinidad and Tobago, there is now a feeling that along with other countries in the region, we lack what it takes to meet visitor needs and wants. more >
South Africa To Host Arts World Summit
The International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) has chosen South Africa to host the fourth World Summit on Arts and Culture in 2009. more >
What's our role on the world's culture stage?
Toronto isn't the only city that likes to think of itself as "creative." more >
Basic humanity of the arts world - we hope - transcends race
Several recent issues involving arts groups and race have made headlines and angered minority interest groups. more >
Fund to Change Face of Zimbabwe Arts
The official launch of the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust (CFOZT) last week at the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare heralded a new era for the arts. more >
The Arts Council must bite the bullet over funding
The Arts Council said it was going to make tough decisions. In the event it lost its nerve. more >
Website to Promote African Arts Created
A website to promote and strengthen African arts has been created. more >
Regenerating inner cities through investment in the arts
When the history of the past 20 years comes to be written, the attempt to regenerate our inner cities through investment in the arts should form a significant chapter. more >
Culture Summit In Bucharest Ends
The regional conference of the South-East European countries ended with a joint declaration that celebrates cultural diversity. more >
Life buoy
It took the Ministry of Culture 30 years to start producing films again, writes Nevine El-Aref. Will the effort be worth it? more >
A study of Seattle media obsession with studies
Want a stadium? More arts funding? Pork for bio-tech? Just turn to the new boom business journalists can't resist: the economic-impact industry. more >
Why discord followed the New Labour fanfare
Does Tony Blair deserve any credit from the art world? asks Julian Lloyd Webber. more >
Newspapers Trimming Classical Critics
Classical music criticism, a high-minded endeavor that has been around at least as long as newspapers and reached an English-language peak with George Bernard Shaw, has taken a series of hits in recent months. more >
Convergence of Europe's top art fairs generates buzz
The world's oldest and most prestigious contemporary art fair opens tomorrow in Venice, beginning what promises to be the European art season of the decade as four premier events align in an unusual convergence that is generating extraordinary buzz. more >
Musicians Get Peanuts in Royalties
Zimbabwean musicians, who depend largely on royalties from airplay, are paid $94 every time their songs are played on radio. more >
Developing African Publishing for the World Market
The development of publishing generally is of importance to every being because books are universally recognized for their ability to, in Francis Bacon's words, "make the man." more >
Why YouTube may be hazardous to our culture
Andrew Keen is not one for the other hand. He calls his new book "The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet Is Killing Our Culture," and it is a full-out, on-the-one-hand polemic. more >
Cultural Diversity vs Colonial Models in Cuba
The United States seeks to impose a dazzling and alienating colonial model disguised as global culture to convert us into a docile and obedient flock," said Rafael Bernal, Cuba’s vice minister of Culture in Havana on Monday. more >
Art Community Laments Lack of School
The artist community in Gambia has expressed concern about the lack of even a single arts school in the country, describing the issue as one of the major hindrance for the development and promotion of the spirit of arts in the country. more >
Quebec, Ontario team up for new arts residency program
Arts councils in Ontario and Quebec are hoping to spark cross-border arts exchanges with a new joint artistic residency program, announced in Montreal Monday. more >
Arts and culture is not just an addition to education portfolio, insists Minister
New Culture Minister Carwyn Jones has vowed to place arts at the top of his agenda, saying they are not merely an addition to his portfolio. more >
You're setting us back, Sir!
The Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Samson K. Boafo, announced last Monday that the month of November has been set aside as cultural awareness month to be observed annually. more >
Artists Treated Worse Than Animals
The ill-treatment of Namibian artists by art promoters and festival organizers was last week likened and compared to that of animals during a press conference by the Oruuano Artists Union. more >
‘Building bridges in arts industry is a key task’
Rebuilding people’s confidence in Wales’s beleaguered arts industry is a key task, says new Culture Minister Carwyn Jones. more >
Gioia to graduates: 'Trade easy pleasures for more complex and challenging ones'
Almost everything in our national culture, even the news, has been reduced to entertainment, or altogether eliminated (also available as a vodcast) more >
NEA chairman blasts American culture in commencement talk
The leader of the National Endowment for the Arts decried culture as bankrupt and called for the elevation of artists and intellectuals in society at Stanford University's commencement address on Sunday. more >
Aboriginal Artists are conned into selling their works
An official inquiry may recommend increased powers for authorities to crack down on the shady dealers who prey on Aboriginal artists. more >
'Hard as it is for Londoners to believe, the capital isn't the centre of the arts universe'
In England, the tradition of going up to London to see a show has been entrenched for 500 years. The result is arts monsters, all of them in London, such as the Royal Opera, English National Opera and the National Theatre. more >
Less 'kultcha', more creativity
The international presence and profile of Australian culture has been allowed to fade with a huge cost to the nation, writes Steve Dow. more >
Govt to Honour Women in the Arts
Female entrepreneurs who have used arts and culture to uplift their communities will be honoured with a new award instituted by government. more >
Study Reveals Strong Relationship Between Music Education and Academic Achievement
Students in high-quality school music education programs score higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient music education programs, according to a study published in last week's issue of the Journal for Research in Music Education. more >
Can art help climate change?
A new exhibition - featuring 42 contemporary artists from around the world - aims to do just that. more >
Culture Minister Back Home
Angola's minister of Culture, Boaventura Cardoso arrived Wednesday in the country after attending from June 11 to 14 the V International Congress on Culture and Development that happened in Havana, Cuba. more >
A Prime Minister Cool to Culture Will Leave Behind a Hot Arts Scene
As Tony Blair prepares to step down as UK Prime Minister, his legacy is dominated by one word: Iraq. But history may judge him by another standard: his support for the arts. more >
North American museums bounce back from 11 September
Art museum expansions, attendance, exhibitions, acquisitions, endowment income and budgets are all increasing in North America. more >
Tony Blair’s legacy for the arts
The Prime Minister steps down on 27 June after ten years in office. What has he achieved for museums, artists and the public? more >
Stagecoach attacks child licensing law
Stagecoach Theatre Arts, the world’s largest stage school chain, is campaigning for the government to fix “seriously flawed” child licensing legislation, which it claims prevents youngsters from breaking into the industry and puts them at risk. more >
Internet Smackdown: The Amateur vs. the Professional
Web 2.0 critic Andrew Keen is taking a lot of flak for his book attacking the internet as a refuge for mediocrity and dilettantism. The truth hurts, I guess. more >
UNESCO Convention Session Closes
The first session of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, chaired by Professor Kader Asmal (South Africa) closed today at UNESCO Headquarters. more >
Submissions close on art royalties
A controversial proposal that would see kiwi artists receive a 5% cut of the profit every time their work is re-sold on the secondary art market saw its final day for submissions today. more >
LONDON 2012 UNVEILS PLANS FOR CULTURAL OLYMPIAD
The Cultural Olympiad will start in 2008. London 2012, the body responsible for organising the 2012 Olympics, has outlined the framework for a wide-ranging ‘Cultural Olympiad’. more >
Chinese culture minister visit Malaysia
A Chinese delegation led by Culture Minister Sun Jiazheng met Malaysia's Arts, Culture and Heritage minister Rais Yatim on Friday. more >
Cultural Network Spreads to SA
African Synergy -- a pan-African cultural network of artists, festivals, venues and promoters founded last year -- will next week launch its operations in South Africa. more >
FREE ACCESS TO MUSEUMS IS A 'NO BRAINER' SAYS MLA
The Museums Libraries and Archives council have responded to reports in the weekend media alleging the Conservative Party may scrap free admissions to museums with a robust defence of the policy. more >
Finally, Musicians to Earn More for Their Sweat
The fortunes of local musicians are soon to change for the better as they will now be paid when their songs are played in public places. more >
USA Arts Job Bank Launched
Americans for the Arts has launched its new and expanded employment resource-Americans for the Arts Job Bank. more >
UNESCO, UCLG Strengthen Cooperation
UNESCO and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) have signed an agreement in order to strengthen their cooperation. more >
Call for papers
Organisers of November's Cultural Trends Conference in London have issued a call for papers. more >
Anti-piracy laws outdated
Artists in the country have complained about piracy for a while and it seems the cry is far from being over; the anti-piracy law is outdated more >
Arab cultural capital: Algiers
The Arab League imported the concept from Europe, but Algiers is not Graz. Europe's cultural capitals hope for visitors – is Algiers ready for tourists? more >
July 2007
Our cultural policy is offline for internet
The emergence of new media is rendering many Canadian content regulations irrelevant. more >
Cultural Priorities of the Portuguese EU presidency
Under the motto ‘A stronger Union for a better World’, the Portuguese presidency outlined its main tasks for the coming six months, including the adoption of the 'Communication on Culture' and the first Cultural Forum in September 2007. more >
UNESCO chair in arts and learning inaugurated
On April 24, 2007 the inauguration of the UNESCO Chair in Arts and Learning was celebrated at Queen’s University, Canada. more >
Black Sea State Culture Ministers meet for first time
Black Sea State Culture Ministers met in Athens to consider proposals, strategies and finances to promote cultural activities around the Black Sea. more >
France to try out free museums
The French government says visitors will get free access to several museums in Paris and other towns to test out a possible nationwide program. more >
Singapore minister: museums as cultural gateways to foster harmony
A senior Singapore official said Tuesday the most significant role of museums today is to serve as important cultural gateways to foster peace and harmony. more >
Greece, Cyprus agree to boost cultural co-op
Top officials from Greece and Cyprus on Monday signed a memorandum of cultural cooperation between their nations and discussed protection of cultural heritage, an area they said was vitally important to both nations. more >
New culture policy on anvil
A new national culture policy is being drafted by Pakistan’s ministry of culture with emphasis on public-private partnerships. more >
Europe to set up a culture fund for ACP states
The European Commission intends to set up a culture fund to support the distribution and production of cultural goods in the 78 African nations and the countries in the Caribbean and Pacific. more >
UNESCO experts meet to discuss cultural diversity
A first meeting of international experts aims at analyzing the articles of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions related to international cooperation. more >
Aga Khan Trust for Culture
In the past decade the Aga Khan Development Network has grown into one of the largest philanthropic organisations in the world. more >
SEAL of Excellence Award given to South Africa
The World Crafts Council has given its sanction for the SEAL of Excellence Award introduction to South Africa as the pilot country for the African Continent. more >
Purnell promises an end to “crude” targets for the arts
Newly appointed culture secretary James Purnell has vowed to release arts organisations from the pressure of “crude targets” and instead look at how the government can empower “artists and organisations to be the best”. more >
Film industry blooms in volatile Haiti
Even in hard times, Haitians go to the movies. Now they're also making them in record numbers; about 10 feature films a year; rivaling Cuba as the Caribbean's biggest movie producer and often outselling better-financed imports. more >
Access is key if we're to expand theatre's audience
James Purnell's biggest test will come in persuading the new Chancellor not to impose punitive cutbacks on the swelling arts industry. more >
Jerusalem orchestra set to be silenced
The leading orchestra in this ancient city is living what may be its final days. A year short of its 70th anniversary, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra will close down for good on July 15 unless a solution can be found to the latest and most perilous crisis in a series of recent financial reverses. more >
Ministry supports grants artistic training of indigenous youth
The Minister for Culture, Communication and Women’s Rights has announced that $50,000 will be provided to the Wapikoni Mobile Corporation to help train indigenous youth in remote areas. more >
Actor laments poverty in performing arts
A Zimbabwean actor is bitter that the government is not investing enough on visual and performing arts, believing that the reason why the arts are stagnant in Botswana is because government has opted to only invest in soccer. more >
Knowledge is nothing to be scared of
Thanks to the philosopher Roger Scruton, the debate about culture has been reopened. But are we really losing ours – and what happens if we do? more >
Let's start thinking outside the box
How can we build Gordon Brown's 3 million new homes and still have a green and pleasant land? The answer is to avoid the hideous mistakes of the past and replace dogma with design. more >
China to participate in Int'l Cervantino Festival in Mexico
China will be the guest of honor at the International Cervantino Festival, a cultural festival running this October in the central Mexican city of Guanajuato, festival director Mini Caire said Wednesday. more >
Ford Foundation Launches $1.9 Million Native American Arts Initiative
The Ford Foundation has announced a $1.9 million initiative to strengthen Native American arts and cultures throughout the United States. more >
Informal Arts, Policy and Evolving Nonprofits
In a presentation from the June 2007 Americans for the Arts convention, Tom Borrup wonders about the viability of the existing cultural infrastructure, including the nonprofit arts. more >
Safeguarding intangible heritage at the top of the agenda of Commission for UNESCO conference
The Director-General of UNESCO has laid particular emphasis on UNESCO’s work to promote cultural diversity, highlighting both the importance of integrating culture into development policies, and the need to recognize the multiple forms through which cultural diversity is expressed. more >
News from eleventh session of the IGC available online
The decisions adopted by the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore at its Eleventh session are now available on the WIPO website. more >
Europe's cultural heritage only a click away?
Access to the Europe's cultural heritage should be made much easier though the creation of the European digital library, the Committee on Culture and Education says in a report. more >
Goodbye to all Vat
The government is considering scrapping a controversial tax on non-resident artists performing in Ireland.
Giving Millions
Individual donors are surpassing companies as the U.K.'s biggest arts benefactors. more >
Researcher: Optimal copyright term is 14 years
It's easy enough to find out how long copyrights last, but much harder to decide how long they should last—but that didn't stop Cambridge University PhD candidate Rufus Pollock from using economics formulas to answer the question. more >
Zimbabwe: 'Use Culture As Economic Development Component'
Zimbabweans should work together to use arts and culture as a special component for the country's economic development, Vice President Joice Mujuru said yesterday. more >
Rwanda: Can Art Bring Peace?
Simon Bikindi is currently standing trial before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, facing charges for war crimes committed during the country's 1994 genocide. Bikindi is a former Rwandan pop musician whose anti-Tutsi songs were regularly broadcast over the notorious Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines. But if music can be used to incite genocide, it can also be used to create peace and a climate of reconciliation. more >
Oda announces permanent $30M increase for Canada Council
Heritage Minister Bev Oda has announced a permanent $30-million increase in annual funding for the Canada Council for the Arts. more >
Seducing France into affairs of the arts
France’s new culture minister has responded with noticeable caution to the proposal to allow free access to the permanent collections of major museums, saying the initial experiment will be carefully studied. more >
Call for Application for Artist/Managers of Independent Creative Art Spaces
ASEF has released a call for Asian and European participants for an intensive five-day workshop on the role and importance of artists/managers in multi-disciplinary independent creative art spaces. more >
UK rejects music copyright extension
The government rejected a plea to extend copyright laws for sound recordings to beyond 50 years, prompting the music industry to accuse it of not supporting musicians and artists. more >
Harmonious culture and cultural harmony
At the 8th Congress of Writers and Artists, President Hu Jintao, outlined the direction and position for the development of China's culture, to create a new glory of the national culture and to upgrade the soft power of the country. more >
Art meets war in Iraq, and one loses
Desperate for cash, his dreams of an art career swept away by war, Nebil Anwar turned his knack with a paintbrush to producing portraits of U.S. soldiers' wives and children. more >
A right of resale? Indigenous art under the hammer
In light of Sotheby's auction of Indigenous art, it is surely time to re-open the policy debate in Australia as to whether Australian artists - especially Indigenous artists and their families - deserve a right of resale. more >
China donates computers, mobile phones to Cultural Ministry
The Government of the People’s Republic of China donated 10 computers and 14 mobile phones to the Cultural Affairs Ministry last week to enhance China-Sri Lanka Cultural relations and to mark 50 years of bilateral relations between the two countries. more >
Ibero-american culture Ministers ink declaration
The 10th Ibero-American Conference of Culture Ministers seeks to broaden the democratic access to culture and recognize the value of diversity. more >
Culture easy to define
In reaction to a threatened widening of the definition of culture by the Albertan government caused by a 'stakeholder' consultation, Todd Babiak argues why Sports and Recreation aren't the same as Arts and Heritage. more >
Culture must be engaged for the good of man
Culture Week 2006, organised by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, is a week for people to think about where they come from, what they believe and how they live. more >
Survey finds pirate downloads at all-time high and set to rise
llegal music downloading is at an all-time high and set to rise further, according to a report out today that urges the record industry to make legal buying easier and cheaper. more >
Do corporate sponsorships compromise theatres?
The National's new production is brought to you by Shell: an ethical minefield or much ado about nothing? more >
August 2007
Artists display their craft
The Fiji Arts Council has organised a two-day art fair to facilitate increased public access to high quality and innovative visual art and craft and to act as a catalyst in cultural development in Fiji. more >
Don't leave arts, science behind
Since the federal No Child Left Behind rules were passed, educators increasingly lament being forced to "teach to the test." more >
Culture Minister’s pledge
New Culture Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas has criticised his predecessor Alun Pugh for operating a “dangerous” regime. more >
So-called artful dodgers most likely just a tardy lot
The Australia Council has rejected newspaper reports that $20 million in grants was squandered on projects that were never completed, stating the figure was "false and certainly gave false impressions. more >
A Constructive Take on US-French Culture Wars
Martel has done the equivalent of heaving a boulder into the pond of cultural affairs. more >
More US museums need directors than ever before
There are currently over two dozen major US museums looking for new directors, more than at any time in the past 20 years. more >
New Gates Open for Mongolian Artists
Delegates from the various member countries of the Asian chapter of the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) returned to their homelands on Wednesday after two full days of sharing one another’s collective wisdom on arts policy. more >
Redford Pitches Ways to Boost Arts Funding
The Academy Award-winning actor and Americans for the Arts, an advocacy group that lobbies for more funding for the arts, have teamed up to urge corporations, foundations and individuals to think of the arts as a way to address educational, health and environmental problems rather than as a competing philanthropic cause. more >
First person singular: why does opera get all the cash?
Maureen Paton laments the massive disparity in funding between opera and jazz. more >
Book Tackles Old Debate: Role of Art in Schools
When two researchers published a study a few years ago concluding that arts classes do not improve students’ overall academic performance, the backlash was bitter. more >
Culture clubbed
If Isreaeli culture as an export that has doubled, the government's investment in culture has been absurdly small. more >
Culture, tourism will no longer be relegated
Nigeria's new minister for Culture and Tourism has pledged to reposition the arts and culture. more >
Artists Feel Painted Into a Corner in Baghdad
Ultimately, it won't be the constant threat of violence that drives celebrated ceramics artist Mahir Samarrai out of the place of his birth. When he finally, reluctantly moves out of Baghdad later this year, the cause will be much more mundane. more >
Picture, picture, on the wall, is the art minister on the ball?
Experts analyse the Culture Secretary's choice of pictures for office. more >
South Africa: Child Actors, Models And the Law
South Africa has a new Act for employing children in cultural activities. more >
Bishop creates Aust literature position
The Federal Government has announced funding for a new chair in Australian literature at an Australian university. more >
Public Diplomacy
Doug Wilson calls for a return to the successful U.S.I.A. strategy of libraries and cultural centers. more >
National Lottery money is running out for the arts
The National Lottery bonanza is drawing to a close for the arts. more >
India-Thailand to Boost Further Bilateral Cultural Relations
Leaders stressed the need to further strengthen the bilateral cultural ties. more >
Rainbow Paper on Intercultural Dialogue
Civil society actors are being asked to contribute to a consultation on intercultural dialogue. more >
ANA Tasks Culture Minister on Policies, Sale of National Theatre
The new Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN and his Minister of State, Dr. Idi Hong have been asked to rise to the challenges of transforming the Culture and Tourism Ministry. more >
Tips from Ireland and Australia
People coming back from a trip to Ireland have often commented to me about the sheer confidence that the country exudes. more >
Art with a Company Logo Attached
Public money for cultural programs is being cut, so more private companies are pitching in as sponsors of the arts. But who is it really helping? more >
Culture Ministry Officials Arrested
The Egyptian government has arrested two ranking officials at the Ministry of Culture and charged them with bribery.
With Fixtures of War as Their Canvas, Muralists Add Beauty to Baghdad
Two dozen Iraqi artists have been hired to use the city’s past to hide its present. more >
Time for the arts to go boom
We are constantly hearing that the economy is booming. more >
Just ask for more money
NORTH-EAST arts groups could be forced go cap-in-hand – like Oliver Twist – to the regional development agency as the Government considers spending cuts. more >
Sarkozy out to 'democratize' culture
France's new president has written to culture minister outlining his plans to 'democratize' culture and calling for close cooperation between the ministries of culture and education. more >
2,200 in cultural exchanges between Chinese mainland, Taiwan
A total of 2,209 people from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan participated in cross-Strait cultural exchange activities in the first half of 2007, according to the Ministry of Culture. more >
Clash of Civilisations
The first Director of the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development, Els van der Plas, on the Fund, the 'clash of civilisations', and the Fund's activities in the Middle East. more >
Directory of African Cultural Administration Training Centres
OCPA is developing a regional directory of African training centres and institutions in cultural policy, administration and management, as well as cultural development. The objective is to collect the information existing in the field and make accessible on-line, free of charge. more >
Louvre Abu Dhabi to Be Overseen by New French Museums Authority
A new organisation representing prominent French cultural institutions. more >
Matsuura on international day of indigenous people
On the international day of the world’s indigenous people, Director-General of UNESCO Koïchiro Matsuura has released a message on the importance of intangible cultural heritage. more >
Culture projects to encourage tourism
To promote tourism during and after the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the Ugandan Ministry of Tourism is funding special national projects. more >
Seeking A Hedge For Art
The newly established Art Trading Fund plans to develop an art market index on the basis of which people could bet on which direction the market will go. more >
EU Backs Namibian Art
An annual arts exhibition to promote Namibian art. more >
Hospital art plan not a pretty picture
The whole point of having an Assembly is to allow a local input into decision-making, and there is no doubt where people stand on art in hospitals. more >
Money for nothing is artistic fiction
Some might say almost $300 million per year in State Government money for the arts is a waste of your money. more >
The respectable word that fell in with the wrong crowd
"Culture" used to be the word used to describe activities such as listening to Bach or going to the theatre and art galleries. more >
Josee Verner new heritage minister
Quebec MP Josée Verner will replace Bev Oda as federal heritage minister. more >
Book Excerpts to Be Viewed on iPhone
The publishing world is linking up to the iPhone. more >
Oda 'messed up'
Bev Oda was demoted yesterday because "she really messed up" in her post as heritage minister. more >
Venezuelan project brings harmony to Scottish estates
A scheme begun 30 years ago in the barrios of Caracas is hardly an obvious model for social regeneration in Scotland. more >
A low profile despite years of political experience
Josée Verner, Canada's newest Heritage minister, is an attractive, bilingual political veteran. more >
Architecture remains on Arts Council agenda
The Arts Council has pledged to continue to invest in architecture and design, despite its decision to suspend Architecture Week next year.
Creative industries: managing the motley crew
Call for papers for a specail issue of Human Relations Journal: Managing in the creative industries: Managing the motley crew. more >
The cultural war on this country is a daily and palpable reality
Comments from Cuban intellectual Eliades Acosta Matos, currently head of the Culture Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba. more >
Streep backs arts cash drive
Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep arrived in the North today to boost an arts funding campaign. more >
Convergence in party manifestos on cultural issues
Without knowledge of our history, we are bound to repeat the mistakes of the past. more >
Art in Australia: asking for a chance
Peter Garrett believes we are on the cusp of a cultural renaissance in Australia. more >
Changes signalled for National Cultural Foundation
In a new strategic arrangement, the National Cultural Foundation will be restructured and will be funded to perform a more developmental role, such as supporting cultural development in schools. more >
State Gets in the Swing By Helping Musicians
The government has announced plans to establish state-of-the-art recording studios and mobile studios, and is encouraging the Creative Workers Union to establish a record label. more >
Arts Boards Struggle with Changing Roles
Ineffective governance by the board of a nonprofit organization is not a problem unique to the Smithsonian. more >
New website: Keep Arts in Schools
The Ford Foundation has launched 'Keep Arts in Schools', a new website designed to equip individuals with what they need to make compelling cases for arts education. more >
Frayling to stay until January 2009
Arts Council England chair Christopher Frayling has been appointed for an extra year to avoid a situation where he would leave the organisation at the same time as chief executive Peter Hewitt. more >
Visual Artists' Legal Clinic
CARFAC Ontario has a legal service for members: the Visual Artists' Legal Clinic of Ontario (VALCO). more >
Ugandan artists turn to potholes for inspiration
Under the 'Pot in the Hole' project, which aims to encourage Ugandans to explore the arts, artisans made casts of eight of Kampala's most "beautiful" potholes and painted them in a range of themes from abstract to political. more >
Cultural Tourism Taking the Driver's Seat
Cultural tourism is taking on a new dimension, particularly for those who live in regional areas. Increasingly, audiences are looking for ‘something extra’ in their cultural experience – not content to sit back and travel the passive road of arts and culture, visitors are taking a right hand turn and are now keen to actively engage. more >
The art of political commentary
Artist says his piece creatively conveys facts that should be readily accessible to voters. more >
Iran to revitalize tourism industry
President Ahmadinejad has said that the government praises cultural activities, which are considered holy and valuable, and is developing infrastructure to attract tourists to experience Iran's 7,000-year-old culture and civilization. more >
Obituary: Milton C. Cummings
Milton C. Cummings Jr., political scientist and elder statesman in the field of government funding of the arts, died on 10th of August.
Surprise announcement of new NCCA head
The announcement of Education Undersecretary Wilma Labrador as incoming chairman of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts has caught people in the arts and culture community by surprise.more >
President Musharraf urges artists to help counter extremism
President General Pervez Musharraf has urged artists in the country to use their work in countering extremism and terrorism and to project Paksitan’s soft image. more >
Osnabruck Philharmonic Orchestra to Perform in Tehran
According to Morgelan Festival Osnabuck, this cultural exchange could contribute to an easing of the tension between Iran and the West. more >
So Rocket Man wants us to shut down the Internet
Bemoaning the Internet's negative effect on culture, Elton John's musing about what sort of art would be produced if the Internet were to be shut down for five years has brought condescension in the blog world. Andrew Potter offers a partial defence of Sir Elton. more >
Tough critic has choice words for all
Norman Lebrecht wonders why the arts in Australia are treated like a child with disabilities. more >
Equipping Artists for Business
The two peak organisations will be collaborating to develop a website to assist visual artists with professional and business skills. more >
Authorities to start restoration of Ancient Olympia
Greek Minister of Culture Giorgos Voulgarakis has announced that the restoration of the fire-ravaged archeological site of Ancient Olympia will be immediate. more >
Culture Is Also Subject To World Views
African countries have, for the better part of the post independence era, placed the study of economics ahead of the development of arts and culture. more >
Holyrood can light up the arts –but stand well back
One hundred days of SNP government, and the biggest achievement is not down to Alex Salmond. more >
The case for hospital art
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Chairman Rosemary Kelly on the issue of 'per cent for art' principle in healthcare capital spending. more >
Direct concerns over arts funding to culture secretary - Treasury
The Treasury has responded to industry concerns over arts funding in the run up to the comprehensive spending review, by urging organisations to raise issues directly with culture secretary James Purnell. more >
Culture bodies attack powers in new bill
Leading cultural bodies have expressed fears over the future of artistic independence in Scotland in their official responses to the proposed Culture Bill. more >
Funding for major heritage projects in Britain to be slashed by £60 million
Lottery money for major heritage projects in Britain is set to fall to £20m a year, down from £80m last year. more >
Minister of Culture Meets Croatian Honorary Consul
Minister of Culture Adel Tweisi met today with Honorary Consul of Croatia in Jordan Abdul Nur Habaibeh and discussed with him the bilateral cultural cooperation. more >
Urban aboriginal youth culture camps supported
An organization that helps urban aboriginal people access cultural activities received some much-needed funding on Tuesday from the federal government. more >
Satellite Radio and NEA launch 'Big Read' Radio
XM Satellite Radio and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will introduce the national radio series 'The Big Read,' named after the NEA's national reading program, which celebrates great books and their place in American life. more >
Culture bodies attack powers in new bill
Leading cultural bodies have expressed fears over the future of artistic independence in Scotland in their official responses to the proposed Culture Bill. more >
China, Mongolia to protect traditional long-song
China and Mongolia agreed Thursday to conduct a field survey on the traditional long-song, a major form of Mongolian song, over the next two years. more >
Culture Rescues Jobs in Europe?
Judging from Conclusions adopted by EU Ministers of Culture on 24 May, the Union’s newly awakened interest in culture may not primarily be the expression of a passion for the arts. more >
Arts Council to Be Launched
The formal launch of the National Arts Council will be held next Wednesday. more >
New heritage minister a mystery
Who is Josée Verner? more >
Osama, where art thou hanging?
Priscilla Bracks -- whose work has Jesus Christ morphing into Osama bin Laden -- is another artist to show "courage" by mocking the one faith too nice to hit back, Andrew Bolt writes. more >
September 2007
Expanding minds with art
Art is an open door to learning everything else.
Artist and state patronage
A brief look at the history and effects of state support for the arts in India from the navratna (nine jewels) in the court of Akbar to today's 'Indipop'. more >
The art of giving
Donations worth $15 million to three competing galleries were announced last week. more >
Syria and Qatar Sign Executive Program of Cultural Cooperation Agreement
Syrian Ministry of Culture and the Qatar's National Culture Council signed on Monday the first executive program for the cultural cooperation agreement between Syria and Qatar for the years 2007-2009. more >
We should Fight to Protect Cultural Rights
In an addressto a Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) ministerial meeting on 'Human Rights and Cultural Diversity' in Iran, Cuba's foreign minister has called for a global campaign to defend cultural rights. more >
A consultative visit to Vietnam by Swedish Former Cultural Minister
With the support from Sweden, Vietnam has been conducting the review of its cultural development situation with an aim to completing the national cultural policies since 2000. more >
New session, new name as SNP sets work of government
The government will set up a new agency to promote the arts. more >
Cultural combat that cannot be joined
A famous Armenian song master has called for the ministry of culture to be the 'connecting link' in the field of culture. 'It is clear that the ministry does not have the function to dictate its will on the state,' he said. more >
New Coalition to host conference on cultural diversity convention
The newly-created South African Coalition for Cultural Diversity will host delegates from 12 countries to discuss the implications of the UNESCO convention and the role that civil society organizations can play in its implementation. more >
Jordan to Support Celebrating Jerusalem as Capital of Arab Culture 2009
Jordan's Minister of Culture Adel Tweisi has said that JD709,000 has been allocated for preparations and cultural activities to celebrate Jerusalem as Capital of Arab Culture 2009. more >
Chávez pours millions more into pioneering music scheme
President Hugo Chávez has thrown his weight behind "Misión Música", a government-funded effort to give tuition and instruments to 1 million impoverished children. more >
Cultural paupers
In the Israeli government's recently approved budget, the portion allocated to culture is not even a fifth of 1 percent: only 0.15 percent of the state's budget is granted to the Culture Administration. more >
New York is for Artists
Governor Eliot Spitzer signed into effect a new bill that will help artists actually live in the neighborhoods they helped change from gritty to glamorous. more >
Era of targets is over
Newly-appointed secretary of State for Culture James Purnell has made his first substantive speech calling for a change in statistical “targets” in the arts: “Targets were probably necessary in 1997 [when Labour came to power], to force a change of direction in some parts of the arts world. But now, we risk idolising them.” He has appointed Sir Brian McMaster, a member of Arts Council England, to advise on “how we can remove crude targets”. more >
Day soldiers nearly drowned me in maggot-infested pond
Ben Tomoloju is a veteran journalist who has used journalism to promote art and culture in the country. more >
Cultural programme for prisoners launched
Serving punishment in jail should not be regarded as ostracism or an end to one’s social life, but a new beginning for an optimistic future. more >
The role of evidence in the cultural sector
The journal Cultural Trends has announced a call for papers for an inaugural conference Challenging myths, researching reality – The role of evidence in the cultural sector for the northern hemisphere Autumn 2007. more >
Funding for Arts Month
Funding for Arts Month will take place in October at the Foundation Center's library/learning centers in New York, Atlanta, and San Francisco. more >
Council tax freeze first step to abolition
Among the immediate challenges for Scotland's new SNP government is the reforming of the government agencies that support the arts. more >
The orchestra that is saving children's lives
Julian Lloyd Webber celebrates Venezuela's social and cultural miracle - El Sistema. more >
Director of Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid resigns
Ana Martínez de Aguilar is going after the Minister for Culture announced plans to modernise the contemporary art museum. more >
BNC Faults Merger of Tourism and Culture Ministry
The President of the Benin National Congress has condemned the decision of the state Government to merge the Ministry of Culture and Tourism with the Ministry of Solid Minerals, saying that the decision was capable of killing the rich cultural heritage of the Benin kingdom.
National Arts Council Launched
Namibian artists can now look into the future with renewed hope, following the official launch of the National Arts Council. more >
Arts council must be held accountable
A missile fired by Kathy Keele, chief executive of the Australia Council for the Arts, showed just how much of a secret state we have become. more >
High Expectations for Artists' Funding
Excitement exploded among artists on Wednesday evening with the formal announcement that they at long last qualify for direct government funding to pursue their creative crafts and careers. more >
Using ‘komiks’ to help save the environment
The National Commission on Culture and the Arts is using its comic book program to help the government’s information drive on environmental issues. more >
British arts in the balance
It would be a tragedy were a decade's advances to be squandered by a cut in cultural funding. more >
Kazakhstan boosts development of cultural sphere
The State Program for Cultural Sphere Development for the years of 2009-2011 is being developed in Kazakhstan. more >
National Arts and Humanities Month
October is National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM)-our opportunity to recognize and celebrate the positive impact the arts bring to our schools and communities. more >
Volunteering in the arts study launched
Margaret Hodge has announced that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is commissioning a new study which will produce, for the first time, a national picture of amateur arts activity in England. more >
Uganda’s long quest for a reading culture
The National Book Trust of Uganda, an umbrella organisation for authors, readers, publishers and books sellers, aims to turn Uganda into a reading nation through initiatives such as the National Book Week. more >
Social cohesion is a central topic in intergovernmental meetings on arts and culture public policies in Iberoamerica and the Americas
Social cohesion has acquired a central and transversal role in public policies in a globalised world more >
La cohesión social es tema central de discusión en foros intergubernamentales iberoamericanos y panamericanos sobre políticas públicas para la cultura y las artes
La noción de cohesión social ha adquirido un rol protagónico y transversal en las políticas públicas. more >
Merger Director Being Sought by Screen and Arts Board
A committee set up to pave the way for a merger of Scottish Screen and the Scottish Arts Council is next week to advertise for a 'transition director’, to help make the merger actually happen. more >
Cat among the pigeons
A anti-establishment artist and recipient of the government's Silapathorn award explains his reluctance to accept the award, his views on the ministry of culture, and the impact the award has had on his work. more >
PM neglected art from the start: Garrett
truggling artists without regular paid work would be given improved access to social security support under a Labor government. more >
Artistes' Social Security Scheme Long Overdue
Yezi-Arts Promotions and Productions has been looking at the establishment of a Social Security Scheme for Artists in Zambia. more >
Can culture jumpstart job creation and youth empowerment?
HOW much can the products of culture be used as tools to addressing the challenges of the time? more >
César Antonio Molina: Spanish Minister for Culture
The new Culture Minister in the Zapatero administration was appointed in July 2007. more >
Cecile Guidote Alvarez answers her critics
A group of artists and cultural workers has called for the resignation of the NCCA's Executive Director. more >
How Artists Influence Real Estate Prices
Whether in the USA, Argentina, or Italy, investors are realizing how much influence artists can have on real estate values. The end result, however, is usually not good for the artists. more >
Cuba and Suriname to strengthen cultural cooperation
The agreement facilitates exchange programmes for artists and technical personnel. more >
Stars make funding appeal to PM
Leading artists and fashion designers are appealing to the Prime Minister not to cut arts funding in England. more >
Center for Civic Participation Launches Arts & Democracy Project
The Center for Civic Participation's (CCP) Arts & Democracy Project has begun posting profiles of exemplary work in the field. more >
Labor arts policy slated
The opposition's plan to introduce a 'paint-for-the-dole' scheme for artists living off welfare has received a 'shellacking' from the Treasurer. more >
Red Shift rejects ‘ruthless’ ACE funding
Leading UK touring company Red Shift has withdrawn from its regular funding arrangement with Arts Council England, accusing the organisation of abandoning professional artists in favour of political agendas. more >
Ministry eliminates theatrical script reviewing
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has recently issued a decision to discard the procedure of reviewing theatrical scripts before staging. more >
A call for separation of art and state
In a flurry of gavel banging, hissing and desk tapping, the Yale Political Union met Tuesday evening for a debate on the ties between art and government. more >
Nearly all public subsidies for music go to classical music
Classical music, and other genres that qualify as 'art' music, get about 94 per cent of all public support distributed by the state and local authorities. more >
Ministerial Meeting on Culture Opens in Seville
The Tenth Annual Ministerial Meeting of the INCP/RIPC will be inaugurated on Thursday by Spanish Culture Minister Cesar Antonio Molina and will be attended by ministers from 46 countries (also in Spanish). more >
Making Space for Asir’s Women Artists
Saudi Arabia suffers from a deficiency in artistic venues. But the situation has been moving in a better direction for aspiring Saudi artists, and a contemporary artists’ colony has recently made efforts to promote more women artists. more >
Culture links tightened
China, Japan and the Republic of Korea have pledged to cooperate more on cultural activities to boost regional stability and prosperity. more >
Japan, China and Korea tighten culture links
At their first trilateral ministerial forum in Nantong, China, the culture ministers of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea have signed the Nantong Declaration to respect cultural diversity and encourage more cultural exchanges between the young people in the three countries. more >
Cuba to Defend Cultural Diversity at Ministerial Meeting in Spain
At the 10th Annual Ministerial Meeting of INCP culture ministers in Seville, Spain, Cuba's Abel Prieto will speak about the cultural policy of the Cuban Revolution and of Cuba's position in defense of cultural diversity. more >
SACCD founded at key cultural diversity gathering
South Africa now boasts its own chapter of a Coalition for Cultural Diversity, aimed at maximising the country’s participation in UNESCO’s all-important Convention for Cultural Diversity. more >
Iran, Spain set to boost cultural ties
Iran and Spain have close cultural ties despite the fact that the two countries are geographically far, Spain's Minister of Culture says. more >
The right is still wrong in Finnish art
Politically conservative artists live in shadow of leftist tradition. more >
Labour conference fringe: The 39p question
An event organised by Arts Council England had an intriguing title: "Culture or cuppa: for 39p, which do you value more?" 39p is the amount of money contributed towards the arts by every English household through their taxes. more >
En el marco de los eventos de Bogotá Capital Iberoamericana de la Cultura 2007 se abre foro virtual sobre indicadores culturales
Bogotá fue designada como Capital Iberoamericana de la Cultura para el año 2007. more >
A Virtual Forum on Cultural Indicators Forms Part of the Events of “Bogotá Capital Iberoamericana de la Cultura 2007”
Bogotá was appointed Ibero-America’s cultural capital for the year 2007. more >
La XIV Cátedra UNESCO de Comunicación se llevará a cabo en Bogotá, Colombia
Los ponentes se aproximarán teóricamente a las investigaciones recientes sobre la materia y analizarán algunas experiencias de diseño y aplicación de la comunicación para el cambio social. more >
30 Years Since the First Seminar for Cultural Administrators in Argentina
This historic seminar which was organized by the Subsecretariat of Culture, and administered by professor Marcelo Fernández, took place in the province of Corrientes in July 1977. more >
The 14th UNESCO Seminar on Communication - Bogotá, Colombia
The Seminar seeks to understand communication’s role in social and political transformation processes and stresses the need to design and put through communication strategies for social change. more >
A 30 Años del Primer Curso de Administradores Culturales en la República Argentina
Este seminario histórico fue organizado en la provincia de Corrientes en el mes de julio del año 1977 por la Subsecretaría de Cultura que estaba a cargo del profesor Marcelo Fernández, y dictado por Edwin Harvey, experto en políticas públicas para las artes. more >
Request for submissions: UNESCO Observatory E-Journal
The Observatory is calling for articles in the field of Popular Art, Architecture and Design for the second issue of the refereed e-journal due to be published late 2007/early2008. more >
Creations of writers, artists should benefit country
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said in Horana that the time had come for writers and artists in Sri Lanka to make their creations for the benefit of their country. more >
An oasis of national culture opens its gates in a city in turmoil, Islamabad
Either way, Pakistan's National Art Gallery, which opened last month, has brought new texture to this otherwise sterile, highly planned capital. more >
Balanced and handy intellectual property system is a dare
On the eve of a WIPO general assembly, Kamal Idris, Director-General, WIPO, shares his thoughts on international intellectual property and development, including bringing traditional knowledge and folklore under the IP rights regime. more >
Regeneration arts project plans win backing of Burnham artists
Artists in Burnham-On-Sea have this week enthusiastically backed proposals for public art to be placed at the centre of the town's regeneration. more >
Brazil's minister of culture calls for free digital society
Free culture advocate and Brazilian Minister Gilberto Gil said that digital technology offers a rare opportunity to bring knowledge to under-privileged people around the world and to include them in the political process. more >
A franchise model for the few-very few
The Bilbao effect - big-name architect, envelope-straining building, and high-profile cultural partner - does not seem easily replicable. You need at least five ingredients in the mix to replicate it. more >
10th Festival of Pacific Arts
With just a year to go, preparations are well under way for the region’s largest traditional and contemporary cultural event, the Festival of Pacific Arts. more >
Business or culture?
Signs are popping up everywhere that art is finding its way into public life in the United Arab Emirates. more >
Winds of change at funding groups
NEW leaders are rethinking the arts and business. more >
Board reviews Festival and regional cultural issues
Simona Lauti, the Executive Director of the Festival, says preparations are well under way for the region’s largest cultural gathering. more >
No room for no-hopers
IN A recent Saturday column in The Courier-Mail, Des Houghton revealed a curious fact about the Australia Council for the Arts. more >
Egypt Pushing Efforts For UNESCO Chief
Egypt has stressed that it will continue its efforts to ensure Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni's ascension to be the Director-General of UNESCO. more >
Ministry's code prompts cancellation
Singer Beyonce Knowles cancelled her Malaysian stage debut, purportedly because she refused to comply with dress codes established by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage. more >
Putting dreams into action
An interview with Spyros Mercouris on cultural policy, the role of culture, inter-cultural dialog, cultural event planning, culture and economy. more >
Days of European heritage kick off today
During these days, all museums under ministry of culture and ministry of nature protection are open and free of charge. more >
Sarkozy seeks restoration of France's faded former glories in art
Culture Minister Christine Albanel has been instructed by President Sarkozy to slash the taxes and red tape that are blamed for shunting Paris into the sidings of artistic history. Among the proposals are a reduction in tax on art imports and interest-free loans for collectors. more >
Angola: Government to Reinforce Support to Historical Research
The Fund of Support to Artistic and Cultural Activities will be rearranged so as to provide major aid to scientific and research actions more >
Funding festivals preserves culture
All three levels of Canadian government think festivals are worth supporting. more >
October 2007
Belizean musician UNESCO's Artist for Peace
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, has designated the celebrated Belizean musician and singer Andy Palacio a UNESCO Artist for Peace. more >
Coming soon: Culture Wars II
As the federal election approaches, the arts will mark a point of difference between the two big parties. more >
About 0,6% of the GDP allotted for culture: Stefan Danailov
Danailov hopes that after 5 years culture will become a government priority more >
New online jobs and careers service is launched
A new online service with job vacancies, invitations to tender, volunteer opportunities, careers information, and an interactive platform for arts professionals, has been launched by ArtsProfessional. more >
Who is art for?
The welfare state and advances in education have entirely failed to democratise culture. more >
November declared Cultural Awareness Month
The Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture, Hon. Sampson Kwaku Boafo, on Monday urged media practitioners to lead the crusade to salvage what is left of the rich Ghanaian culture. more >
Minister of Culture Summarized Her 100-Day Activity
The Minister of Culture has indicated future policy priorities, including personnel issues, taking culture to provincial areas, and promoting the arts on TV. more >
Japan and its New Approach to Cultural Policies
An international symposium will bring together eminent researchers to discuss pop culture and Japanese diplomacy, cultural policy, and the mechanisms for promoting Japanese pop culture. more >
265 corporate sponsors, individuals recognised for supporting the arts
The arts scene in Singapore is blooming, with a record number of performances last year. more >
Workshop on the Decade Plan of Culture for Ecuador
A body of international experts met on 1 October to validate the Decade Plan of Culture for Ecuador, drawn up by the Ministry of Culture and UNESCO. more >
Give art a sporting chance
In their advocacy, major arts bodies including Arts Council England seem to have lost sight of the unique qualities and value of culture. Over time, the special case for the arts has been forgotten. more >
Cayman Islands Traditional Arts Council Formed
Local artisans - whose products can range from thatchwork to Caymanite - now have the guidance and support of the new Cayman Islands Traditional Arts Council (CITAC). more >
Cultural Statistics in Costa Rica
On 11 October a national workshop will be held to promote the gathering of data and obtaining political support to generate cultural statistics and indicators in Costa Rica. more >
London needs to form its own arts council
The final rites were administered last week to the founding principle of British arts funding. more >
Actors struggle on just EURO 7200 a year
The president of Irish Equity has urged the Arts Council to set up a new system of multi-annual funding that would enable theatres to better manage their revenue and create more jobs. more >
Research Workshops on the Impact of Arts and Humanities Research
As part of wider program on the impact of arts and humanities research, Arts Council England has teamed up with other agencies to fund new research into the nature of experience for visitors and audiences at cultural organisations and events. more >
New Region in Focus: The Nordic Region
LabforCulture.org, the essential tool for everyone involved in arts and culture in Europe, continues to promote cross-border collaboration through its innovative Region in focus features. more >
Recognition Scheme funding for museums and galleries
The Scottish Government has announced that six museums and galleries have been awarded funding of £234,185 under a scheme that ensures important collections are identified, cared for, protected and promoted to a wider audience. more >
'Spending review will hit arts'
Publishers and public libraries are fearing a slash in literature funding ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) expected very soon. more >
Refresh creativity at the wellspring
THE Australia Council is the right vehicle, but it needs a serious tune-up, argues Peter Garrett. more >
Govt urged to rescue cultural institutions
The National Assembly (NA) standing committee on culture has called upon the government to initiate immediate steps to save the National Institute of Folk Heritage Lok Virsa. more >
It's time to address a big area of concern
The visual arts are the object of great public interest. more >
Margaret Hodge to speak at LGF
It is expected that Hodge will use her floor time to outline the government's position in relation to the video game industry. more >
Our invisible arts
Until Papua New Guinea's governments accept their responsibility to the arts, we will continue to be a society showing no external signs of a creative and growing contemporary culture. more >
Entertainers, promoters seeking strength in unity
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is prompting Guyanese entertainers and promoters to establish an entertainers' association. more >
Senegal calls for Iran cultural ties
The Senegalese Minister of Culture Birame Diouf says the expansion of ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran is high on Dakar's agenda. more >
Alarm at arts' missing millions
The announcement last week that the Department of Arts and Culture has received a qualified audit report has been met with alarm from the parliamentary opposition and silence from within the department itself. more >
Geopolitics, ‘Soft Power’ and Popular Culture in the Middle East
Papers are solicited for a special issue of the Middle East Journal of Culture and Communication on geopolitics, ‘soft power, and popular culture in the Middle East. more >
In the Mountains With Robert Redford
He was not only a gracious host to the Americans for the Arts, organizers of the event, but he shared with its participants his commitment to the importance of the arts in his life and of finding ways of making the arts central to the lives of all Americans. more >
Tax efficient giving guide targets arts supporters
An online guide has been launched on the tax implications for both donors and beneficiaries of charitable giving to help donors give as tax-efficiently as possible. (free registration required to view) more >
Hip Hop & the Cuban Revolution
During the Golden Age of Hip Hop in the United States, from the 1980s to the early 1990s, the music was stealth. more >
More Brits Now Visit Art Galleries than Go To Football Matches
A recent report shows the Rise of Britain as a Creative Super Power and identifies the UK’s Top 20 Creative Towns. more >
Spirit of the box-tickers
William Morris would be horrified by what a decade of New Labour has done to our museums. more >
Council develops platform to lead
PETER Garrett's comments about the Australia Council in The Australian last Thursday ("Refresh creativity at the wellspring") are made in the context of an imminent election campaign, but they are a stimulant to the discussion about the importance of the arts as a vital part of contemporary Australian society. more >
As Saudi Theater Grows, Women Still Sidelined
An official of the Ministry of Culture and Information said that the ministry is pushing to have theatrical plays year-round instead of just during Eid and other special occasions. But some are pointing out that Saudi theater is still a predominantly man’s world. more >
French parliament gives green light to Abu Dhabi Louvre
The French parliament on Tuesday approved plans to build a branch of the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, despite opposition from leftists who say the venture cheapens France's top art institution. more >
Free museum entry pledged to 2011
Free access to museums and galleries in England is to remain in place until at least 2011, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has said. more >
UNESCO: a Will and a Way
What are UNESCO’s priorities for the next two years? They will be determined by its 193 Member States during the General Conference held at the Organization’s Headquarters from 16 October to 3 November. On the list of UNESCO’s top priorities are cultural diversity and dialogue between cultures. more >
Museum downgrade threatens arts
Why has the government decided against amending the draft legislation that would have made the museums independent, self-governing cultural institutions? more >
The money's better than we expected, say arts leaders - at least for now
The arts and culture allocation from the spending review - "an increase" according to the chancellor, later described by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport as "a flat real settlement rising with inflation over the next three years" - might not sound very exciting, but the sigh of relief from the sector was unmistakable. more >
Arts world greets increase with round of applause
There was an almost audible sigh of relief in the arts world that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is to be given an increase in its budget to £2.2bn in three years' time. more >
An Artist’s Grant That Even Pays for Glasses
Nearly a year ago 50 people around the country each received $50,000 fellowship awards from United States Artists, a new organization that argues that individual artists are generally shortchanged when it comes to arts patronage in America. more >
Ghana to benefit from Denmark support
Mr. Brian Mikkelsen, Denmark Minister of Culture on Tuesday said his country would support Ghana’s cultural development since the two countries shared close cultural and historical relationships dated over 350 years. more >
Call for Participation in International Exchange and Programming Survey
Have you or your organization been engaged in cultural exchange and/or international programming? Have you been interested in doing so but not sure how to start? A major research project on U.S. based cultural exchange and cultural diplomacy is asking you to complete an online survey. more >
Arts and the Nation
What with all the problems of transition and economic strangle-hold on the artist, he still goes on. more >
Criteria for evaluating museums are needed
Recent reports show that about 20 national museums and cultural centers under the Ministry of Education were demoted and lost their title as "national" institutions. more >
Chinese, African representatives discuss cultural policy
Chinese and African cultural representatives met on Friday to exchange views on cultural policy and implementation. more >
Arts in England get funding boost
Arts organisations in England are to get extra £50m from the government. more >
Expo showcases avant-garde art
Life remains in the Iranian arts scene under conservative President Ahmadinejad. more >
France spends £2bn on culture, Wales £27m
In terms of public subsidy, the arts do considerably better in France than they do here. more >
The arts-funding balancing act
How should a city spend its arts dollars? more >
African officials praise China's cultural project
Cultural officials from African countries spoke highly of China's national cultural information resources sharing project. more >
Promoting and protecting our cultural industry
There is a trade imbalance in the cultural and creative industries between developed and developing countries. more >
Denmark's offer of help to persecuted writers
The Danish government has proposed providing refuge for persecuted writers in Denmark. more >
Cultural Minister to seek funds for cultural policy
Goa is the only state in the country to have a full-fledged cultural policy, and the onus was now on the Planning Commission to supply enough funds to the state for its early implementation. more >
New Interarts Website
The Interarts Foundation recently launched its new website. more >
UNESCO's new head of culture
Iran's former ambassador to the United Nations was elected as the new chairman of the Culture Sector of UNESCO. more >
Norway supports culture projects
More than half of the 111 million euro the Czech Republic is receiving from wealthier European Union countries will go toward cultural preservation. more >
New cultural channel for Spain
A new TV project: the launch of a thematic cultural channel for 2010. more >
The art of imagining a greener future
Promoting sustainability is more than just facts and figures for one educator. more >
Don't forget culture in the reform treaty talks
European Parliament Vice-President called on EU heads of state and government meeting in Lisbon on Friday not to forget culture in their talks on the new treaty. more >
European Parliament scheme for artist mobility under discussion
European Parliament has heard a proposal to launch a €3m pilot project to support artists’ mobility in Europe. more >
Jehovah's Witnesses banned
Tajikistan's Jehovah's Witnesses have reacted with concern to the decision by the Ministry of Culture to strip them of their legal status and to ban their activity across the entire country. more >
PM for projecting independence achievements
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has called for the promoting of the culture and values of the country. more >
Ministry revamps website
Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism is revamping its website into one of the most "advanced" of any country in the world. more >
Mongolian Museum Exhibits Being Listed
A new association of all Mongolian museums has recently been formed, and the Ministry is undertaking a national inventory of Mongolian artifacts. more >
Mozart cover bands rake in the moolah
An overwhelming amount of arts funding in Australia goes to organisations that either exclusively or primarily play 'high culture' covers. more >
Second meeting of the Working Group on Culture - Report
The Working Group on Culture is the meeting point of cities, local governments and networks that place culture at the heart of their development processes. more >
Why artists shouldn’t accept state funding
An illustrator argues that the cost of government funding - the loss of artistic independence - is too high a price to pay. more >
St Kitts-Nevis strengthen cultural bond with Bermuda
The cultural bond between St Kitts and Nevis and Bermuda was strengthened when a contingent of masquerade and moko jumbie dancers visited the British Overseas Territory, earlier this month. more >
Recognising collections of national significance
A further seven museums and galleries collections across Scotland have been identified as significant to the nation under the government's Recognition Scheme, which helps to ensure important collections are identified, cared for, protected and promoted to a wider audience. more >
Sri Lanka to prepare a national cultural policy
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has paid special attention towards safeguarding national cultural values under his Mahinda Chinthanaya manifesto. more >
Strict Visa Regulations Discourage Visiting Artists
Foreign artists of all stripes are funneled through a visa process whose costs and complications have become prohibitive. USA's visa rules are making it harder to foster cultural exchange at a time when the unifying effects of art are needed now more than ever. more >
Call for more intimate art affairs
A forum was held to facilitate dialogue between the major players in Jamaica's arts and tourism sectors. more >
Kuwait praises important role played by UNESCO
Kuwait issued an Amiri decree on July 9 this year that declares its membership to the UNESCO convention on cultural diversity. more >
Director named to set up Creative Scotland
One of the country's top arts consultants has been appointed to manage the formation of Scotland's new arts funding body, Creative Scotland.
Cultural Fund Committee makes recommendations
The Ghana Cultural Fund is governed by a framework between the Royal Danish Embassy in Ghana and the Danish Centre for Culture and Development in Denmark. more >
From Russia, with some concern
The government has been asked to send a letter to Russian authorities assuring them that works loaned to the UK will be protected from seizure by companies with a financial claim against the Russian state. more >
Young at art
The Prince is introducing our kids to culture. more >
London theatres challenged to ‘go green’ by 2025
London's mayor has announced an industry-wide campaign to make the capital’s theatres more energy efficient and achieve a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2025. more >
India, Netherlands to enhance cultural cooperation
India and the Netherlands on Thursday decided to enhance their cultural cooperation as they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in trade and economy. more >
Take It Away tops £1.25 million sales
The Art Council's musical instrument loan scheme has seen 1,000 musicians make use of the loans, with guitars being the most popular instrument. more >
Casely-Hayford resigns from ACE senior post
Arts Council England has lost its second senior figure within a month, after Gus Casely-Hayford resigned as executive director of arts strategy. more >
Comment: The arts will not save our inner cities
Driving social outcomes through the arts is not an effective use of taxation; the Arts Council should be used to promote quality art for art's sake. more >
Bonnar to develop Scottish Arts Council’s replacement
Anne Bonnar, a former general manager of Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre, will oversee the creation of the organisation that is to replace the Scottish Arts Council. more >
Bonnar to develop Arts Council’s replacement
Over the next nine months, transition director Anne Bonnar will set out the aims and methods for Creative Scotland, the organisation that is to replace the Scottish Arts Council. more >
Call for Papers - Culture: Social Cohesion and Integration Challenges
The objective is to exchange the latest ideas and practices on culture as it relates to social cohesion and integration challenges in both rural/urban and developed/developing environments. more >
To be eco-friendly, or not to be eco-friendly
Cultural organisations including the London office of Arts Council England will work with London's mayor to draw up a Climate Change Action Plan for London Theatre. more >
The union of people for books
Culture minister Gilberto Gil, who participated yesterday in the release of the first book to belong to the South American - Arab Countries Library, in Brazilian capital Brasília, said that literature is an instrument to bring people closer together. more >
Arts in Northern Ireland headed for major crisis?
Funding for the arts in Northern Ireland has chronically been poor, and now it seems about to get significantly poorer. more >
Is Maori Head Body Part or Art?
France's Ministry of Culture has stepped in to block the return to New Zealand of a mummified head of a Maori warrior. more >
Nine new members elected to World Heritage Committee
In announcing the World Heritage Committee' s new members, UNESCO's Director-General invited Member States to work for synergy among the organization's 3 main cultural diversity instruments. more >
Bahrain’s election to membership of WHC hailed
Bahrain has been elected to membership of the international heritage committee. more >
'Little Einsteins' raises culture's flag; do culturati notice?
A corporate giant - no less corporate or giant than Disney/ABC - has taken up the cause of classical music and art. more >
Sana’a holds 24th International Book Fair
The Prime Minister has praised the efforts made by the Ministry of Culture and the General Authority of Books for the management and diversity of books displayed at the Sana’a International Book Fair. more >
Comics bridge cultural gaps
Comics and animation, as mediums for the exchange of cultural ideas and norms that facilitate understanding, seem to be fitting formats for innovative public diplomacy initiatives. more >
Arts funding
Podcast: In this podcast, presented by Amanda Smith, Marcus Westbury argues that new art in Australia isn't getting enough funding, and old art is getting too much. Begins at 10 minute mark. more >
Cameron accused of 'crass insensitivity' after one-legged Lithuanians remark
Leader of the Opposition David Cameron has been accused of 'crass insensitivity' over a remark made about arts grants to one-legged Lithuanians. more >
German support sought for cultural activities in Yemen
Culture Minister Mohammed Al-Maflahi discussed with German ambassador to Yemen, Michael Klor-Berchtold, possible German support for various cultural activities. more >
Classical music centre to honour Princess
The Ministry of Culture is establishing a classical music institution so that small children could learn up to a degree level. more >
Arts boss is going with few regrets
Peter Hewitt will step down early next year, after 10 years as chief executive of the Arts Council, in an optimistic frame of mind. more >
The cultural economy and cultural activities in the EU
For the first time, Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, has gathered the main available culture statistics comparable at a European level in a single publication. more >
Poetry on the LRT
Verses of Spanish, Latin American and Filipino poets have been installed in carriages of Manila's trains to encourage reading among Filipino commuters and to strengthen Filipino-Spanish cultural bonds. more >
The art no one sees: a basement that symbolises cultural isolation
Tehran's museum of contemporary art hasn't exhibited its extraordinary Western contemporary artworks because of the culture and Islamic guidance ministry's policy of not promoting western art or culture. more >
War on Canada... and the rest
Mrs Hodge says Canada is breaching World Trade Organisation rules by offering tax breaks for computer game developers to relocate there from the UK. more >
Getting to grips with 'culture'
While some cultural practices and norms are beautiful to behold, it is criminal to accept abuses disguised as culture. more >
Social-Democrats To Strengthen The Role Of Culture
SDP wants culture to be perceived as a composing part of state and social progress, and to stimulate creativity. more >
Arts get more than expected in spending review
The government’s Spending Review is good news for the arts, despite earlier dire predictions. more >
6th Meeting of Culture Ministers of Portuguese Speaking Countries
The 6th Meeting of Culture Ministers of the Portuguese Speaking Countries Community (CPLP) will be held in Cape Verde from November 02 to 04. more >
Lithuanians riled by Cameron quip
An off-the-cuff remark by David Cameron at the Arts Council last week appears to have caused a storm in Lithuania. more >
High Level International Conference Addresses Role of IP in the Creative Industries
A WIPO conference has underlined the critical importance of the creative sector in promoting cultural identity and in boosting economic development and wealth creation. more >
Arts funding fears as local authorities receive worst settlement in a decade
Local government theatre funding is facing severe cuts after councils across the country complained they have received their worst treasury settlement in a decade. more >
54m euros for cities of art
A government bill will ensure that Italy's cities of art receive 54 million euros in the coming three years. more >
School creativity 'needs support'
Creativity in England's schools needs to be taken 'far more seriously' according to a parliamentary education committee. more >
More Bahamians should appreciate the arts
Governor General of The Bahamas has said that more Bahamians should embrace the National Arts Festival and the importance of the Arts in the development of a people. more >
Downgrading of cultural centers sparks opposition
Museum and other cultural center directors yesterday said that a museum must not be evaluated by the number of staff or its budget. more >
Cypriots last in Europe for cultural interests
Cypriots say they don't have enough money, time or interest in cultural activities, according to a Eurostat report published yesterday. more >
Downgrading of cultural centers sparks opposition
Museum and cultural center directors have expressed disapproval at the government's decision to downgrade more than 50 cultural centers and its blocking of a draft amendment to make museums independent, self-governing institutions. more >
Cliff Richard follows 'The Young Ones' onto Internet
Veteran British pop star Cliff Richard is to follow younger acts such as Radiohead by letting fans decide the price of his new album over the Internet, his website announced Tuesday. more >
November 2007
Government grants additional money for national film archive
The Bulgarian Government granted an additional 440 000 leva to the budget of the Ministry of Culture the National Film Archive's film fund. more >
How theatre can mend our broken democracy
These exciting forms of theatre are teaching people how to act again; how to engage with their environment and the people around them. more >
How Educated Must an Artist Be?
Increasing numbers of college and university administrators are urging artists to obtain doctoral degrees. more >
Cultural Policy and International Funds
With its art and culture programme the Ford Foundation strives to expand opportunities for artistic and cultural expression. more >
Let a thousand artists bloom
Until recently, China viewed its artists with suspicion – but suddenly their work is winning global acclaim and record prices, and the establishment is embracing the avant-garde. more >
PM calls for a mindset that respects culture
India's Prime Minister has addressed the 12th National Conference of National Trust and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage with a plea for a mindset that respects the past and wishes to learn from it. more >
Lights, cameras but very little action as ailing Ardmore struggles
Ireland long benefited from offering tax and financial incentives to film studios. However, since the mid-1990s other European countries have followed suit, with many now offering more attractive packages. more >
Theatre careers for youngsters
Arts Council England's Open Doors initiative aims to attract young people to the theatre industry by holding events designed to introduce them to creative career opportunities. more >
First Amendment protects artists as well as media
The First Amendment doesn’t just protect the media; it protects freedom of expression for all Americans more >
The arts of being a doctor
There is an increasing awareness that doctors also need to know about medicine's place in arts and literature. more >
Nation 'too parochial' to engage
The director of last year's Sydney Biennale, Charles Merewether, has departed for a plum job in the United Arab Emirates, using the occasion to launch a scathing attack on the visual arts in Australia. more >
Arts Council looks for extra €20m
The Arts Council has said it needs an extra €20 million in funding from the Government for 2008. more >
Extending copyright carries complications
A ministerial subpanel debating a proposal to extend copyright protection periods is divided between those sympathetic to copyright holders who want to extend the period and members cautious about the idea. more >
35 countries discuss protection of culture and intellectual property
Conservation, preservation, management, sustainable utilization, and benefit-sharing have been addressed in the Inter-Regional Forum on the Protection of Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore. more >
The missing vice versa of Maltese art today
There is more to life than the price of tinned tuna. The promotion of the arts can only become a reality when the only entity that can afford to subsidise it, the government, would opt to do so. The sooner the better. more >
Northern Ireland Assembly plans ‘devastating’ £1.3m arts cut
Northern Ireland’s cultural industry has been left reeling by the announcement of further cuts in its funding. more >
Arts council debate - people believe in public arts funding
The Arts Council's arts debate results show that the people of England believe the arts are a truly important part of life and should attract public funding, but resources should be directed to art that is as inclusive as possible. more >
International year of languages
The year 2008 has been proclaimed International Year of Languages by the United Nations General Assembly more >
Cuban writers and artists: the coming Congress
The UNEAC may state with no sense of triumphalism that thanks to the work of writers, artists and promoters and the political will of the country, the cultural network of the nation has been restored. more >
Tory bid to boost spending in arts
Millions more pounds should be devoted each year to a fund that preserves Britain's threatened heritage. more >
Summit on the arts deserves our attention
So what do we mean by 'culture'? Defined in turn, the arts are specific forms of human communication? more >
Tories to split arts and sport funding
A policy review taskforce, comprising key figures in the arts world, was today outlining a series of measures on how a future government could promote a cultural renaissance in Britain. more >
Bulgaria and Macedonia Signed for Cultural Collaboration
Culture Ministers of Bulgaria and Macedonia have signed a program for collaboration in the cultural sphere for 2007- 2009. more >
Arts Strategy Board Heralds New Era For Creativity in Wales
Rhodri Glyn Thoman, Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister, has chaired the first meeting of the new Arts Strategy Board in Wales. more >
Arts council faces probe for breach of rules
Scotland's art funding body breached financial guidelines by giving a five-figure pay-off to its former chief executive. more >
Tory taskforce advocates government replaces ACE in arts funding control
The Conservative Party’s Arts Taskforce has recommended the responsibility for funding England’s national performing arts companies be taken away from Arts Council England and transferred to central government. more >
Preparations for the 5th conference of Islamic States Culture Ministers
An expanded meeting was held Wednesday morning in Tripoli to followup on the ongoing arrangements and preparations for the 5th conference to be held in Tripoli 21-23 November. more >
Flemish Ministry of Culture invests in videogame
A new Flemish investment fund founded by the Flemish Ministry of Culture will be supporting the development of a videogame. more >
'Freedom' pledge over new culture body
Scotland's new cultural funding body will be free from government intervention, the Culture Minister said in parliament yesterday. more >
Writers strike won't be showstopper for economy
Despite all the publicity it generates, the television and film writers strike is not likely to have a major economic impact on the nation's entertainment capitals. more >
Arts Council Tackles the Regions
In an effort to introduce and inform the nation about the National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN), a tour around the country was recently undertaken by the council. more >
Scheduled Cultural Events Postponed Due To State Of Emergency
All cultural events scheduled for this time will be held after the state of emergency is lifted in the country. more >
Why were the activities of three religious organisations stopped?
Tajikistan's Culture Ministry has banned or suspended three religious organisations and is trying to force them to change their charters, more >
Whose cultural identity is it, anyway?
But what is culture? The EU’s own definition – in Article 5: Decision 1419/1999/EC, should you want to look it up – talks about the arts, literature and shared lifestyle. more >
Brazil's Gilberto Gil to resign from government post due to health
Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil, founder of the 1960s Tropicalismo movement and a Grammy Award winner, will be resigning as his country's culture minister because of a serious health problem. more >
Yemen’s cultural heritage seeks protection
Commentary on discussions at the WIPO Inter-Regional Forum on the Protection of Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore held in Yemen. more >
Study: Aging Artists Remain Resilient
A new study finds that aging artists offer a model for society, especially as the workforce changes to accommodate multiple careers and baby boomers entering the retirement generation. more >
Arts and minds
A project is bringing together science, arts and philosophy to answer questions such as how can we measure beauty objectively. more >
Third generation artist on the role of the arts in the community
What do we remember of ancient Greece? It's not the businesses that were created. We don't remember the highways. It's art. more >
Nonprofit arts groups outgrowing their funding
Federal data shows that because of huge growth in the sector, nonprofit arts groups are having trouble finding venues and money to put on performances, and that their average income has dropped by 44 percent. more >
Arts industry applauds Labor funding pledge
The Australia Council has welcomed a promise by the Federal Opposition to provide more funding for the arts in areas outside major cities. more >
Authorities aim to revitalise Algerian cinema
The Ministry of Culture is now trying to restore some of the lustre to Algeria's 'seventh art'. more >
Emirates Foundation offers first arts awards to seven nationals
The Emirates Foundation, one of the leading philanthropic institutions in the UAE, today announced its first arts funding grants for seven UAE national beneficiaries. more >
Export ban placed on £2m Turner
A Turner painting valued at £2 million has been temporarily banned from going abroad to give UK arts institutions a chance to purchase it for the nation. more >
Welcome Shot in the Arm for Local Theatre Groups
Kenya Theatre's financial migraine is gradually becoming a thing of the past, with groups now receiving grants from an institute funded by Sida aimed at raising the standards of Kenyan theatre. more >
Minister of Culture Highlights Artists' Contribution to Liberation Struggle
Angolan minister of Culture has highlighted the contribution made by artists in the national liberation struggle. more >
The ‘Nation Brand’ Marketplace
As a new report outlines, 'nation branding' has established itself as a hip new field, both in academia and consulting. more >
Social networking Web site launched for artists
A Canadian publisher and philanthropist has launched a new social networking site for artists, underlining the growing influence of the Internet in showcasing and selling art. more >
Forum on Economy of culture and cultural policies for local communities
African and foreign museum experts, scholars in human and social sciences, journalists and cultural activists attended a forum in the framework of the West African Museum Programme colloquium. more >
Hodge calls for more confident arts council with ‘respect of the sector’
Arts Council England must become more 'outward looking' and seek to engage and support organisations which it does not fund, according to culture minister Margaret Hodge. more >
Interest-free loans for musos
Frustrated Eric Claptons and Elton Johns are being helped by an Arts Council initiative to unleash England’s untapped talent. more >
Top author warns of arts neglect
Bryce Courtenay says whichever party wins the upcoming federal election, they are likely to neglect the arts. more >
Hodge calls for more confident arts council with ‘respect of the sector’
Arts Council England must become more “outward looking” and seek to engage and support organisations which it does not fund, according to culture minister Margaret Hodge. more >
Greater private funding necessary to sustain arts, says culture minister
Culture minister has warned the arts world that it was 'lucky' at the recent spending review and must look to private and corporate funding if it is to prosper in the future. more >
Extraordinary Meeting of Culture Arab Ministers Slated for November 25
It is considered as breakthrough in the sense that the 18 ministers will meet for the first time ever at the same moment. more >
Excellent diverse work must come from grassroots - Purnell
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport James Purnell has called for a “bottom up” transformation of the arts sector to put diverse work at the centre of cultural institutions’ artistic policies. more >
Forum of Yemeni and Arabic artists held
This forum lets Yemenis and Arabs artists know others’ experiences and exchange their views concerning the arts. more >
Bulgaria's Culture Ministry to Organise International Culture Conference
A conference on the new dimensions of intercultural dialogue in Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe more >
Burrows’ tax victory saves actors VAT on work outside EU
According to Equity, which helped represent the actors, if the appeal had been lost it would have meant VAT being charged on all UK VAT-registered actors working outside the EU. more >
Minister Opens 4th Brunei Writers' Meeting
The integration of literature into the academic curriculum of students in the Science field at secondary level would enable them to better grasp the Malay language and also contribute towards the development of local literature. more >
101 Book Titles At Convention
The Language and Literature Bureau (DBP), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, is making available hundreds of book titles and magazines at the ongoing 4th Brunei Literary Writers Convention 2007. more >
Creative forum could return
London could once again host an annual international creative conference, comparable to the World Creative Forum, a Green Paper due out in December is likely to suggest. more >
Bulgarian and Austrian Culture Ministers meet
Bulgaria's Culture Minister and Austrian Federal Minister for Education, Arts and Culture have met in Vienna to discuss bilateral cultural relations. more >
Subprime Losses, Slashed Bonuses Threaten Funding to Nonprofits
Nonprofit groups say it's too early to predict how their fundraising will be affected by the housing-market turmoil that has forced the world's biggest banks to write down more than $40 billion. more >
Culture is an intrinsic part of combating poverty
Policy is on the move in culture and development. A coalition of 17 Dutch organisations in the cultural sector and a number of organisations for development cooperation has been working to get a stronger role assigned to culture in development cooperation. more >
Italy funds restoration through TV telethon
Culture minister and celebrities plead for donations. more >
Cuba and Ecuador Sign Cultural Agreement
Ecuadorian Minister of Culture Antonio Preciado said the agreement seeks to take advantage of the rich experience of Cuba in cultural management. more >
Abbey Theatre to stage subtitled play
The facilities, which are being used for the first time in the Abbey’s 104-year history, are being co-ordinated by Arts & Disability Ireland (ADI) with funding from The Arts Council. more >
Cultural affairs ministry not cooperating
The committee to assess the procedure for sending artefacts to the Guimet Museum in Paris for exhibition has alleged that the officials at cultural affairs ministry are unwilling to cooperate with it and provide necessary documents. more >
Opposition lashes out at gallery plan
The federal opposition parties are scathing in their response to the government's new scheme for a national portrait gallery, calling it impractical, divisive and potentially much more expensive than the renovated Ottawa building it replaces. more >
MPs demand 'Arts council of the airwaves'
MPs yesterday recommended creating a "arts council of the airwaves" that would distribute funds to fill gaps in public service programming created by the digital age. more >
Arts ire for canadian taxpayers federation
Members of B.C.'s arts community are reacting with incredulity to a public commentary released by the B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF). more >
Sound of Music Heals Wounds in Former Yugoslavia
Pragmatic interests are replacing the old ideology of “brotherhood and unity” as a motor for renewed artistic cooperation. more >
It’s good to be green
Karen Price looks at just some of the ways in which the arts industry in Wales is helping tackle important green issues. more >
Festival funding talks 'positive'
A meeting between Northern Ireland's Arts Minister and Queen's University over the future of the Belfast Festival has been hailed as "positive" . more >
Vietnamese culture week wraps up in RoK
A week showcasing Vietnam , titled “Vietnam – the Hidden Charm”, concluded in Seoul , the Republic of Korea (RoK), on November 15. more >
Lost: translation
Richard Lea goes in search of the literary world disappearing from the map because of English publishers' resistance to books from other countries. more >
Arts Council prepares for Festival
The Interim Government may not be invited but the Fiji Arts Council as a non-government organisation is preparing for the Pacific Arts Festival in American Samoa. more >
National Museum design competition winners announced
A new national museum will serve as a milestone to present and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan. more >
What Rihanna means to us
What developmental programmes has the Ministry of Culture established or hope to put in place to unearth the latent talent amongst young artistes? more >
Japanese culture mesmerizes Yemen
The Embassy of Japan in Sana’a at the first ever Japan Culture Week held last week at Culture House in Sana’a. more >
UNESCO launches appeal to stop illicit trafficking of Iraqi cultural property
The International Coordination Committee for the Safeguarding of Iraqi cultural heritage has appealed to the international community to help stop illicit excavations, pillaging and trafficking of Iraqi cultural property. more >
Why creative people are putting their work free on the Net
The accessibility of creative work on the Internet is changing traditional ideas about intellectual property, and some major artists are beginning to respond. more >
Budgeting for a bigger profile in the world
Linda Fabiani: "We are determined to maintain and develop our rich cultural tradition". more >
Composer warns of 2014 games threat
Conservatives claim there has already been a £200m cut in funding for arts and heritage every year since 1997 - by raiding the National Lottery. more >
Don't get your fingers burned in bonfire of the quangos
While the Scottish Arts Council has been combined with Scottish Screen, rolled into a new super-quango called Creative Scotland and given an even bigger budget, sportscotland faces closure. more >
UNESCO hosts Iraqi Cultural Week
The wealth and diversity of Iraq’s arts and culture will be celebrated at UNESCO Headquarters from 12 to 21 November. more >
Students to be involved in campaign against vandalism at heritage sites
The Ministry of Culture will involve school students in a campaign against vandalism at heritage sites, which includes students across India taking an oath on November 19 every year. more >
Artist Colonies, 'Heat Shield' From Critics, May Get U.S. Funds
Twelve years after Congress ended most funding to individual artists, the National Endowment for the Arts may reopen the flow of money to poets, musicians, writers and painters through artist colonies. more >
Users don't expect social networking from libraries
A new study suggests that creating social networking sites is not perceived as a core function of libraries, and that the library brand must move from 'institutional' to 'personal'. more >
Germany Announces 2008 as Year of Azerbaijani Culture
Germany announced 2008 as the Year of Azerbaijani Culture, the chairman of the Mainz-Azerbaijan community Bashar Komur has said. more >
Get children involved in theatre early
In the circumstances it would seem that the government has got it utterly wrong because its emphasis on literacy and numeracy within the curriculum has squeezed out the arts in many schools. more >
Cultural debate is kicked into the long grass: again
It is almost four years to the day since the last First Minister claimed culture would now be at the heart of government. more >
On culture in America
The economic numbers show that America dedicates more resources to culture than Europe, and it has more museums, movie theaters, and publishing houses per inhabitant than the culturally proud Europe. more >
Greek culture minister supports European agenda
Greek Culture Minister has said that Athens was in favour of creating a common European agenda for culture during his participation in a meeting of EU culture ministers held in Brussels. more >
Sultanate to attend ministers of culture meeting in Libya
The Sultanate’s participation emanates from its belief in the importance of culture as a base for building a modern state and preserving national identity. more >
£100m cost of keeping city festival in lead role
THE cost of keeping Edinburgh's festivals ahead of the growing competition in the UK and abroad has been officially estimated at more than £100 million. more >
Gov't, business sponsors fuel booming Chinese arts scene
The booming Chinese arts scene can be partially attributed to support by both the government and private sectors. more >
Meetings of Arab, Islamic culture ministers
Culture ministers of the 57-member Oganisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) will hold their fifth conference in Tripoli, and are expected to declare the city as the capital of Islamic Culture. more >
President vows remarkable increase in cultural budget
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed on Monday that his government would allocate a 'remarkable budget' to activities of the cultural sector. more >
U.S Scholars Ask For Normal Relations with Cuba
More than 200 artists and scholars from the USA asked their president to end the travel ban that prevents U.S. citizens from visiting Cuba and allow Cuban artists and scholars to visit the United States. more >
DCMS admits its arts funding figures are wrong
The DCMS has been forced to admit to a series of embarrassing errors after an investigation by The Stage revealed it had been mistakenly overstating the amount of money given to the arts by government. more >
Winners of Award for Dialogue between Cultures
The Winners of the Euro-Med Award for the Dialogue between Cultures have been announced. more >
Kissing Militiamen Make Director of Tretyakovka and Minister of Culture Fight
Valentin Rodionov, the director of the Tretyakov Gallery has sued Minister of Culture of RF Alexander Sokolov. more >
Creative sector 'forgotten and marginalised' by the EU
The European Commission is ignoring the economic potential of cultural issues, focusing too much on standard industry policies and not enough on creative industries, say experts. more >
Every primary school to become a musical school
A national campaign to make primary schools come alive with the sound of music, involving a £332 million investment in choirs, orchestras, new instruments, performance and free music lessons. more >
The arts are coloured brown
Arts Boards: If the sole reward for hundreds of hours of budget scrutiny and sulky artistic directors is a Christmas card from Gordon Brown, why bother to apply? more >
The Death of French Culture
Due in part to government cultural policies, France is a wilting power in the global cultural marketplace. But it can regain its reputation as a cultural power if the more conventional minds of the French cultural establishment stop fretting about decline and start applauding the ferment on the fringes. more >
The new cultural revolution
The Beijing Olympic Games have been described as the superpower's "coming-out party". The authorities are also slowly realising that the arts will play a central role in improving China's international image. more >
Ratify UNESCO Convention on cultural diversity OIF told
The secretary general of the Francophonie is urging member states of OIF to ratify the UNESCO convention on cultural diversity. more >
Yemen suggests establishing islamic fund for cultural development
At the 5th Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers, Yemen suggested establishing an Islamic Fund for Cultural Development. more >
Look to creative industries: economist
Richard Florida: Australia should look to creative industries if it wants to develop into an Asian economic powerhouse. more >
Minister of Culture in Palestine Arrives in Libya
Minister of Culture in Palestine arrived in Tripoli, Libya, to take part in the 5th conference of the Culture Ministers in the Muslim countries. more >
Mongolian President praises work of Arts Council of Mongolia
Arts Council head N. Jantsannorov noted that the Arts Council continues to promote the nation’s culture and art as well as preserve the cultural heritage of the Mongolian people. more >
5th Conference for Culture Ministers of Islamic States Kicked off
Culture Ministers from many Islamic States attend the opening of the 5th Conference for Culture Ministers of Islamic States opened in Tripoli, Libya, under the theme 'Cultural Policies in the Islamic World'. more >
In Zimbabwe, theater critics have the power to prosecute
A rich culture of protest theater has sprung up in Zimbabwe, but artists are under increasing pressure from President Robert Mugabe's security forces as he crushes dissent. more >
Kazakh Information and Culture Ministry to promote NGOs
Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan will allocate kzt700m toward the development of non-governmental organisations. more >
Iran and Algeria plan joint cultural week
The Iranian and Algerian culture ministers have made plans to hold a joint cultural week in early March. more >
A source of creative energy we're fools not to tap
Richard Florida bemoans that the most overlooked, but most important, element of his theory and of the creative economy is that every human being is creative. more >
Inside the tomb of tomes
A warehouse is being built to house the books and journals that no one wants. With the British Library's UK collection growing at a rate of 12.5km of shelf space a year, is the notion of the copyright library really sustainable? more >
National Museum of Iraq to reopen
Nearly five years after the museum was ransacked, two main galleries should go on view this month; funding has come from Italy. more >
Art$ deliver more than entertainment
Earlier this month, Americans For the Arts' articulate director, Robert Lynch, shared his vision of the arts, not just to nourish the soul, but to re-energize entire cities. more >
Origin of the working class contribution to the development of art in Guyana
Stanley Greaves on the history the contribution made by artists of a working class background to the development the arts in Guyana. more >
French gov't plans to disconnect content pirates
The French government plans to extend measures to deal with digital piracy, cutting off the Internet connections of those suspected of illegal filesharing. more >
Innovative web based video encyclopedia of India
In association with UNESCO, Invis Multimedia has created a video atlas that covers not just India's geographical features, but also its cultural ones. more >
Arts Policy: who makes it and for whom?
After a meeting in Turin, Italy, independent cultural policy consultant Christopher Gordon ponders: who dictates arts policy these days? more >
5th conference of Ministers of Culture in Islamic World Draft Final Communique
The 5th conference of Ministers of Culture in Islamic World, held in Tripoli, concluded on Thursday by issuing a Draft Final Communiqué. more >
Arabs Hold Cultural Meeting
Arab culture ministers will meet on Sunday in a two-day extraordinary session to discuss conditions of material and non-material heritage in the Arab world. more >
Southern Africa: Poor Funding Chokes Cultural Festivals
Lack of sponsorship, commitment and infrastructure in some Southern African countries contributed to the demise of the arts festival meant to create a mutual understanding among the people of the region. more >
Lasswade pupils beat out lessons
Midlothian children are literally having facts and figures drummed into them — and loving every minute of it! more >
Multiculturalism
Aboriginal history has become part of the Australian story. But the histories that immigrants bring to this country remain largely excluded from that story. more >
Plenty of room for culture amid shopping crowd
An shopping street association has received a prime minister's award for supporting cultural events in shopping streets by making use of vacant shops and organizing photography exhibitions and street performances. more >
Culture Europe International is now on the internet!
Culture Europe International has become an online magazine, freely available on the website. more >
Community festivals to be boosted by Assembly
Next week the Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister is expected to unveil a new 'matching funds' scheme for community-based festivals which will operate in part through local councils. more >
Iran targets 'obscene' rap music
The Ministry for Culture and Islamic Guidance has announced a campaign against rap music which it considers obscene. more >
New Minister For Environment, Heritage and Arts
Former rock band front-man, now politician, Peter Garrett, was today given responsibility for Environment, Heritage and Arts in the newly elected Australian Labor government. more >
Without a play, an empty theatre is just a building
A proposed levy on tickets to invest public money in London's decaying West End theatres should really be spent on what goes on stage instead. more >
Measuring cultural diversity
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics has released a report on its expert group meeting on measuring cultural diversity held in September in Montreal, Canada. more >
Public arts funders celebrate growth in support for public arts funding
Arts councils from across Canada celebrated the growth in support for public arts funding at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Public Arts Funders. more >
Does Reading Matter?
Amazon debuts Kindle just as the National Endowment for the Arts says it's fading. more >
Public art Wales launches new indentity as safle
The organisation for public art in Wales has launched its new name and identity, coinciding with ArtOutside, an initiative for celebrating public art in Wales. more >
'Shock' at arts under-spend
The Department of Culture, Arts and Lesiure is being asked to explain why funding for the arts is hard to come when it underspent in the last financial year. more >
December 2007
Music lessons: Why the school orchestra could be music to hard-pressed parents' ears
Children can take advantage of free musical instrument lessons in schools for a year under a £332m government initiative. more >
The Arts Council: helping diversity or causing division?
Its attempts to promote cultural diversity have invited criticism including claims of 'inverted racism'. more >
In Russia: A Battle For Control Of Culture
Prominent artists and writers, cognizant of a long, dark history of repression, have been expressing deep anxiety about the government starting to encroach on artistic freedom. more >
'Art helps ill' says new study
Attending painting or creative writing classes could help some patients suffering from a range of conditions, according to a new study. more >
Ministry establishes broadcasting unit
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage has established a Broadcasting Unit to more effectively serve the interests of public broadcasting. more >
How green is my beanstalk?
What is the carbon footprint of your average theatre? How can it be slashed by two thirds? Is a greener pantomime season really going to make a difference to global warming? more >
Cultural institutions boycott Israel's 60th
In protest against the planned NIS 53 million additional cut in funding for culture from the 2008 budget, all the country's cultural institutions have declared their intent to boycott Israel's 60th anniversary events. more >
China, Greece sign protocol of cultural exchanges
Both countries will increase cooperation in the protection of cultural relics as well as exchanges in fine art, theater, cinema, music and traditional culture, according to the protocol. more >
'Proposed culture policy won't make govt a regulator'
The culture ministry denied in the Rajya Sabha that the proposed national culture policy was aimed at making the government a regulator in this field. more >
Waiting for Labor to fill in the background
The incoming arts minister says Labor supports the arts, but artists are yet to see just how much. more >
Big Picture: Just what is entertainment worth?
Unease hovers over the strike like a black cloud: no one in Hollywood can agree on the value of entertainment. more >
Preparations ongoing for the Palestinian Cultural Week in Algeria
The Palestinian Minister of Culture stated that these activities reflect a positive image of the Palestinian people and affirms that art and culture can unite the Palestinian people as politics divided them. more >
EU funds research into roles for older female performers
The research will examine what roles exist for older women and how decisions are made when casting parts which can be played by either sex. It will also look how women over 40 are portrayed in television and theatre. more >
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 launch
The European Commission has launched the communication campaign for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 with the them 'Together in Diversity'. more >
Cuba Fosters Reading, Thinking and Dialog
Initiatives to promote books, reading, literature, thinking and dialog will spread throughout the country. more >
Culture, a means of contact between an integrated Europe and globalisation
The European Union can develop its identity in a world in search of reference points and can count on the support of local and regional authorities as nurseries and protectors of the cultural heritage of the people. more >
Translation at the heart of Cultural Diversity
Index Translationum is celebrating its 75th anniversary. The Index is an instrument for observing and evaluating translation flows and serves as a basis for the elaboration of cultural policies in the book sector. more >
Arts sales: Sotheby's puts on French style
In July the French Government reduced the droit de suite, or resale royalty due in France to European artists and their heirs, from three per cent to a maximum of €12,500 on any lot. more >
Creative Clusters 2007 highlights
Creative Clusters 2007 saw 510 delegates from 41 countries come together to examine how creativity is driving economies worldwide. more >
Materials for the Arts
Materials for the Arts gathers materials from companies and individuals that no longer need them, and redistributes them to artists and educators that do. more >
Free DVD music lessons snapped up
Arts Council England has given away 10,000 music tutorial DVDs to encourage youngsters to pursue music. more >
Pigheadedness or traditionalism in Slovenia's cultural policy?
Katja Praznik visited the international theatrical arts festival "Exodos" in Ljubljana, where big names and ambitious projects are on show. She draws the following conclusions about conditions for creative artists in Slovenia. more >
Prestigious museums to form 'cultural G8'
A new collaboration between eight major arts institutions will mark a 'turning point in the planet-wide coordination of cultural policy.' more >
Scheme to open the arts world to children is axed
A valued scheme to increase the participation of children in artistic activities is to be axed by the Scottish Government. more >
Ain't no sunshine when the grants are gone
Tensions between the arts-as-business model and the arts-as-welfare model are impacting on the arts sector. more >
Disincrease for the arts in budget
There should be a word for an increase that is effectively a decrease - 'disincrease', maybe? more >
I'll take the recycled, light-green one please
This fuel4arts special report explores global retail trends for artists and designers. more >
Postcards target arts funds
A group calling itself Save Cincinnati Arts is urging Cincinnatians to create postcard-sized works of art with the words 'Save Cincinnati Arts' on them to send to City Council. more >
Second National Arts Policy Roundtable
Over thirty leaders from business, government, philanthropy, education, and the arts convened in Sundance, Utah, to address how the arts can help foster students’ creative and innovative skills in order to compete in the 21st Century global workplace. more >
A Salad Of Sounds
A uniform national policy for culture? Who in our diverse, federal system would agree? more >
European Devs Ink Video Game Manifesto
Six games development trade associations have produced a 'Manifesto’ to increase awareness amongst EU politicians of the games industry’s cultural and artistic importance. more >
Insurance cover allows artists to breathe easily
England Visual arts projects can benefit from a new public liability insurance at no charge. more >
Film Festival Scores Victory for Free Speech
A major film festival lawsuit has won a key victory for free speech and artists' rights by removing state arts funding restrictions similar to the NEA's guidelines. more >
Artists Shoot Themselves in the Foot
Unbecoming and insensitive behaviour by some Namibian artists is hindering recognition of the arts industry. more >
Garrett gives back to the arts
Has the arts community got ahead of itself? Excited by this week's announcement of the $300,000 annual Prime Minister's Literary Awards, Australia's cultural community wondered, what next? more >
Pupils to get five hours of arts lessons a week
Every child in Britain will have the chance to experience the arts directly at school with five hours of cultural learning and activity every week the government will pledge this week. more >
The Government of Canada Announces Contribution to New International Fund for Cultural Diversity
Minister Verner made the announcement of a $500,000 contribution for 2008-09 during the inaugural session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. more >
Philharmonic Agrees to Play in North Korea
Adding a cultural wrinkle to the diplomatic engagement between the United States and North Korea, the New York Philharmonic plans to visit Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, in February. more >
African Crossroads – The culture tree
Culture is the living nucleus of society – the protoplasm that runs through roots, trunk, branches, leaves, fruits and flowers of the spreading tree of our social, economic and political existence. more >
Africa: You're Poor Stay Home
Several major European cultural exchange organisations and FreeMuse have launched a major initiative to lobby European governments to ease visa and work permits for musicians from developing countries. more >
Arts world at Stormont in funds fight
Artists, writers and actors from across Northern Ireland were due to take their fight for better funding for the arts to the steps of Stormont today. more >
Art for art’s sake?
HIV/Aids has been a curse in more ways than one: it has dominated the funding of the arts to such an extent that unless you can show you are doing something connected with this wretched disease, you don’t get a cent. more >
A global perspective on communities and memories
A global selection of speakers are confirmed for Memory of the World 2008, the policy analysis and strategic review meeting that aims to set the agenda for the management of cultural resources. more >
Another Movement of Musical Diplomacy
If North Korea keeps its promises, potentially millions of its isolated, tightly controlled citizens are likely to hear their national anthem played on the radio by the New York Philharmonic. more >
Cash warning from Arts Council
The arts sector in Northern Ireland is losing the equivalent of £250,000 under the draft budget, the Arts Council warned tonight. more >
Melvyn Bragg on the role of disability arts in the nation's cultural life
The motion - that disability and deaf arts ought to be dead and buried, ie that we are all in the mainstream now - clearly found little favour. more >
New Arts Research Digest Website
Arts Research Digest, the digest of recent and current research in the arts, media and cultural sectors around the world, has launched its new website. more >
Americans for the Arts announces 2008 Convention Program
Details of the 2008 Convention program for 'American Evolution: Arts in the New Civic Life' have been posted online. more >
First Fame-style school planned
The first fully-selective arts academy will be built in Birmingham, ministers have revealed. more >
The Big Question: What is the British Council, and does it still serve a useful purpose?
The British Council, tasked with promoting British culture, language and business around the world, has found itself at the centre of a diplomatic row after the Russian government ordered it to close two of its offices. more >
Too Many Options Lead To Bad Choices?
According to author and professor Barry Schwartz, an overwhelming number of options in today's world often cause paralysis and dissatisfaction - prompting similar responses to a tidal wave of regional cultural offerings. more >
Ministers of Culture adopt European Agenda for Culture
During their November meeting, the European Ministers of Culture adopted the objectives and instruments proposed by the European Commission in its Communication on Culture. The Council resolution on the ‘European agenda for culture’ brings to a close the long consultation process and opens up some new perspectives for cultural policy developments at EU level. more >
Time to let the cultural desert bloom
The new government starts its term with a relatively blank canvas on the arts and it is not yet clear how, or even if, it will be filled in. more >
Arts bodies await funding ‘bloodbath’
Theatres, galleries and orchestras face closure in the biggest funding cull for 60 years. more >
On with the show
Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina recently unveiled her latest a RM32.5 million cultural village that will be developed by the Ministry Of Culture, Arts and Heritage (KeKKWA). more >
Dancing with technology
A Minnesota Shubert Center program uses a live audio-video Web connection to bring the arts to school kids statewide. more >
EU institutes back British Council in Russia row
European cultural institutes have sent a letter to the Russian government expressing deep concern over moves against the British government's cultural arm, which is caught up in a diplomatic row between London and Moscow. more >
MoCTCA to Draft a Culure Policy Soon
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation said that the ministry would soon form a cultural policy for the first time in Nepal. more >
Talking Musica - I Believe In Art
Our definition of culture in the past years of independence has been limited to bare-breasted girls thumping the earth at the airport to welcome visiting 'dignitories'. more >
Towns want to get rich from culture
The towns are spending money not only on a cultural program and marketing activities but also on making their towns more attractive. more >
Azerbaijan to Become Culture Capital of Islamic Countries: Minister
Azerbaijan after uniting the different cultures will host the several international events. more >
British Council: These crass bureaucrats are placing the arts in real danger
The arts world is suddenly in turmoil. News that the British Council, which promotes the arts abroad, is to disband many of its specialist departments coincides with changes to the funding of projects. more >
Nepal Academy sans officials for last 19 months
The seven party government has not shown any interest to appoint officials at the Nepal Academy, an institution conceptualised to promote art, culture and literature in the country. more >
Spain wants culture channel
Taking as a reference Franco-German culture channel Arte, Spain's Ministry of Culture plans to launch a Spanish cultural channel. more >
Nepalese Culture Under Attack
It is unfortunate that most of our policymakers and politicians think culture is unproductive and, therefore, do not bother to preserve our precious cultural values. more >
Theatre companies join forces to go the distance
Changes in funding policy now strongly encourage partnerships, be they co-productions or co-presentations. more >
Reading Habits of Blind and Physically Handicapped Defy National Trend
Participants in the Talking Book program, provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, read more than the general population by a significant amount. more >
Poland to receive over EUR 500m in EU cultural funds
Bogdan Zdrojewski, Minister of Culture, has stated that it is worth investing in culture, as it becomes a source of income, profit and commercial gain. more >
U.S. copyright waived in tiny nation
The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has won the right to waive U.S. copyrights in films, television and music under an unusual ruling by the World Trade Organization. more >
Using culture to build the future
With a desire to build the future of Nigeria using artistic and cultural products, a number of culture workers, artists, scholars and journalists gathered recently in Abuja for a four-day conference. more >
Ministry of Culture Invests in Staff Training for Development
Culture minister says his institution will continue paying major attention to the training of personnel, with a view to the development of the country’s cultural arts. more >
Officials working to boost Iran-Egypt cultural ties
Iran and Egypt have ancient civilizations and deep cultures, and improving cultural relations between the two countries will help efforts to boost diplomatic ties. more >
Bangladesh culture ministry chief resigns over missing relics
The head of the Ministry of Culture has resigned over the disappearance of a shipment of ancient relics. more >
Government to reinstate arts budget
Pressure from cultural institutions has proven effective, as the Prime Minister has decided to reduce planned cutbacks on government funding of the arts in 2008. more >
Our cultural industry needs a fresh look
China still lags behind other countries in its development of the cultural industry. more >
National Arts Policy Leader Visits Houston
Arts, tourism and business have more in common than most Houstonians realize according to Americans for the Arts Vice President of Policy and Research, Randy Cohen. more >
Best art
The 15th anniversaries that several public and private art institutions celebrated this year were reminders that Russia’s post-Soviet art world is still in its adolescence. more >
Egypt ponders bill to copyright the pyramids
Egypt might seek out copyright on its antiquities, from the pyramids to scarab beetles, in an attempt to collect royalties from the creation of replicas. more >
Is Art an Industry or a Luxury?
The debate over whether the capital-gains tax rate for art and collectibles should remain higher than for real estate and securities. more >
Britain to woo world with first cultural envoy
The UK's first 'cultural ambassador' will be appointed to increase the profile of British galleries around the world and to bring more exhibitions to Britain from abroad. more >
Tax breaks may not encourage charitable giving
It remains unclear whether tax breaks for charitable donations actually encourage giving. Some research suggests that it doesn't. more >
Performing arts funding to be reviewed
The Funding Committee for the Performing Arts will review the present subvention arrangement for the performing-arts sector and develop new funding-assessment criteria and disburse subventions under the new funding model from 2009. more >
Raúl Castro to inaugurate in Santiago de Cuba a concert band school
The center of musical formation is part of a strategy of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro to give a Band to every single one of the more than 160 municipalities in Cuba. more >
The international who's who in cultural policy, planning and research >