International News in October 2007
Show all of 2007
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
School creativity 'needs support'
Creativity in England's schools needs to be taken 'far more seriously' according to a parliamentary education committee. 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 >
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 >
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 other cultural center directors yesterday said that a museum must not be evaluated by the number of staff or its budget. 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 >
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 >
Arts get more than expected in spending review
The government’s Spending Review is good news for the arts, despite earlier dire predictions. 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 >
Bahrain’s election to membership of WHC hailed
Bahrain has been elected to membership of the international heritage committee. 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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
'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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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.
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 >
Expo showcases avant-garde art
Life remains in the Iranian arts scene under conservative President Ahmadinejad. 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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
New Interarts Website
The Interarts Foundation recently launched its new website. 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 >
PM for projecting independence achievements
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has called for the promoting of the culture and values of the country. 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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
Young at art
The Prince is introducing our kids to culture. 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 >
Denmark's offer of help to persecuted writers
The Danish government has proposed providing refuge for persecuted writers in Denmark. 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 >
New cultural channel for Spain
A new TV project: the launch of a thematic cultural channel for 2010. more >
Promoting and protecting our cultural industry
There is a trade imbalance in the cultural and creative industries between developed and developing countries. more >
The art of imagining a greener future
Promoting sustainability is more than just facts and figures for one educator. more >
The arts-funding balancing act
How should a city spend its arts dollars? more >
Arts in England get funding boost
Arts organisations in England are to get extra £50m from the government. more >
Chinese, African representatives discuss cultural policy
Chinese and African cultural representatives met on Friday to exchange views on cultural policy and implementation. 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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
Spirit of the box-tickers
William Morris would be horrified by what a decade of New Labour has done to our museums. 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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
Who is art for?
The welfare state and advances in education have entirely failed to democratise culture. 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 >
'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 >
It's time to address a big area of concern
The visual arts are the object of great public interest. 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 >
London needs to form its own arts council
The final rites were administered last week to the founding principle of British arts funding. 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 >
Refresh creativity at the wellspring
THE Australia Council is the right vehicle, but it needs a serious tune-up, argues Peter Garrett. 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 >
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 >
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 >
About 0,6% of the GDP allotted for culture: Stefan Danailov
Danailov hopes that after 5 years culture will become a government priority 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 >
The international who's who in cultural policy, planning and research >