International News in June 2008
Show all of 2008
Bukamal asserts ministry's keenness to set up strong ties with international cultural institutions
Information Minister Jihad Bin Hassan Bukamal said the ministry is looking forward to launch strong ties with international cultural institutions so as to boost Bahrain's status on the world's cultural map. more >
K42 million for Arts and Culture
The Department of Culture has placed its budget at K42 million, up from K30 million last year. more >
Money is available to develop the arts
When artists apply for funding at the National Arts Council and their applications are unsuccessful, they often think that it is the end of the road. But this is not so because funding art development is available through provincial arts and culture councils. more >
State of the arts checks out funding in Canada
Artistic freedom, the fair adjudication processes, and the access to arts funding are both necessities and luxuries that many Canadians overlook or take for granted. more >
'Rights Owners' Must Have Say In Arts Council Formulation
There should be a celebration of the registration of a company that will be entrusted with administering copyright in Botswana, presumably under the auspices of a copyright society. more >
Culture financing in Kazakhstan rose by 80%: Ministry
Financing of culture in Kazakhstan has been raised almost by 80% over the last two years. In 2007 the Ministry's budget made KZT 40.3 bln and in 2008 it has reached KZT 51.3 bln. Besides, 70 investment projects on the construction of the institutes of culture in the regions were included in the budget request. more >
Arts Council to Issue Grants
The National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN) will this morning announce and hand over arts and culture grants to the first recipients at a press conference at a local hotel. more >
Arts Patrons, the Next Generation
It is one thing to pass on a casual appreciation of the arts, but can one also pass on a lifetime commitment? How does one learn the ropes? And how do foundations integrate the sometimes different priorities of younger and older members? more >
Culture as an outpost for diplomacy
Culture as an "instrument for political dialogue and soft diplomacy" to promote the Italian system will be the leading edge of the foreign ministry's General directorate for cultural promotion and cooperation set up by minister Franco Frattini. more >
Culture Minister Comments On Books for Democratisation
Angola's Minister of Culture, Boaventura Cardoso, said books, as a key support in development of creativity and children's personalities, make possible the practice of democracy. more >
Earnings, education linked to evenings out: Statistics Canada
The more money you make and the more education you have, the more likely you are to go to movies, plays or concerts, says a Statistics Canada study released Thursday. more >
Talking Arts - Who cares about arts?
Going back through the files, the sad reality is that the much talked-about culture policy is rotting in one of the offices at the Capital Hill. To be precise, the culture policy has been lying there since 15 years ago. more >
The Canada Council for Arts aids our artists in continuing to create
When travelling abroad, I'm often struck by the number of foreign artists who comment on how wonderful it must be to work as an artist in Canada. My American friends, in particular, seem to be especially envious of the cultural climate here. more >
2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage becoming operational
After two years of intense work by the Intergovernmental Committee, the Operational Directives of the 2003 Convention are ready for consideration by the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention when it meets in Paris (16-19 June). Once approved, the 2003 Convention becomes fully operational.
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A set of coloured pencils is not good enough for our children
The teaching of the arts in government schools in the UAE is far behind other countries.
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Arts and Ecology day to raise climate change awareness
'Arts & Ecology Day' has been launched to engage the creativity and influence of the arts community in making London a more sustainable city. The day will raise the profile of sustainability by celebrating new plays, poems, music, artworks and dance across London, with the aim of developing into a world-wide campaign. more >
Arts funding plan to reward donors
Plans to give gongs to philanthropists, as part of a broader shake-up in arts funding, will be set out by Jeremy Hunt, the shadow culture secretary. more >
Capaldi to replace Turner as Arts Council of Wales chief executive
Nick Capaldi has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Arts Council of Wales, replacing interim chief executive James Turner in the role from September. more >
Desmond exercising his rights
Desmond Maphanga has filed an appeal to make null and void his suspension as CEO of the National Council of Arts and Culture in February 2008. more >
First Extraordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee
The First Extraordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 24 to 27 June 2008. more >
Highlights of action plans coming out of Jamaican Diaspora Conference
The Jamaican Diaspora Conference 2008 has resulted in a number of recommendations for the government's cultural policies. more >
Lessons for students in Indian heritage, courtesy culture ministry
The culture ministry has set up a Cultural Heritage Volunteers scheme, under which scholars, educationists and artists will inculcate in students the ability to appreciate art and culture and promote creativity. more >
Minister of hope
Jack Lang served as culture minister from 1981-1991. Mention his name to French people, and all at once their moods change, their faces light up and their eyes sparkle. more >
The cultural domain is just as sexist as the others
Contrary to popular opinion, the cultural workplace is just as sexist as that of politics or finance. more >
The Week in Arts
The Culture Secretary has given his blessing to a week of free admission to the arts. Why not try to attract new audiences the other 51 weeks of the year? more >
Violins for free No strings attached
A new €350,000 funding purchase scheme, The Music Capital Scheme, funded by The Arts Council in association with The IRMA Trust, provides support for the purchase of musical instruments. It targets highly-skilled performing artists, non-professional performing groups and those working in youth or community organisations. more >
Who's in, who's out?
One of the fascinating series of discussions at the National Performing Arts Convention have hovered around what constitutes a 'national performing arts community.' It's an impossible question with a full cargo train of baggage behind it, but it's an essential first agreement for any community hoping to make a positive difference. more >
Huge Shift Looms for Italy's Opera Companies
“We must set off and promote only first-rate cultural endeavors, since casually showering our financial resources on a thousand directions would do nobody any good,” declared Minister for Culture, Sandro Bondi. more >
Media organizations campaign to oust 3 ‘enemies of the press’
Three people - Choi Si-jung, the chairman of the Broadcasting and Communications Commission; Lee Dong-kwan, the presidential spokesperson; and Shin Jae-min, the vice minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism - have been criticized for leading a government attempt to control the media. more >
Premio especial para la Coalición Chilena para la Diversidad Cultural
Se distinguió con un premio especial el trabajo realizado, durante estos últimos siete años, por la Coalición Chilena para la Diversidad Cultural. more >
The Chilean Coalition for Cultural Diversity receives a special prize
The Chilean Coalition for Cultural Diversity received a special prize that acknowledges the work it has been carrying out for the last seven years. more >
Tories' US-style philanthropy plan for the arts
In his first big speech since becoming shadow culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt will tonight outline the Conservatives' arts policy, saying that the Labour party, despite its self-projection as the natural party of the arts, has become "the party of arts bureaucracy". more >
Fears over ‘lost year’ for arts in Scotland
Creative Scotland, the new body designed to replace the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, will go ahead as planned despite MSPs voting down the bill intended to form it last week, according to the culture minister, Linda Fabiani. more >
Watermans wins in legal action against Arts Council
West London theatre venue Watermans, home to numerous Asian productions over past decades, has won a small legal battle over its funding row with the Arts Council. more >
'Radical Ideas' at arts conference draws protest
June 12, 2008
A report from the National Performing Arts Convention, Denver, where nearly 4,000 artists and arts administrators have converged to try and determine a direction for the performing arts in the United States.
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Arab Fund for Arts and Culture call for proposals 2008
The Arab Fund for Arts & Culture has invited project proprosals from individuals, NGOs, cultural and educational organizations, governmental bodies and private companies working in culture and arts in the Arab World. more >
Arts funding 'should be flexible'
Arts organisations in Wales should not always receive funding just because they have previously had it, the culture minister has said. more >
New findings on the role of the arts
A new report from the National Endowment for the Arts shows that artists are a force in driving our economy. more >
Regional Funds for the Promotion of Cooperation and Cultural Exchanges in West Africa
The Regional Funds for the Promotion of Cooperation and Cultural Exchanges in West Africa has launched its program to support the development of exchanges, networks and cooperation between the cultural actors of countries within the region. more >
Cultural sector grows more slowly than expected
Culture satellite accounts suggest that since 1995 the cultural sector has declined as a proportion of Finland’s overall economy. more >
Culture ministry prepares colloquy on national identity
The Ministry of Culture will hold a colloquy, 'Cultural and National Identity', in the light of the programme called 'Culture Strengthens the Nation - More Culture, More Angola'. more >
Digital copyright: it's all wrong
The US has circulated a draft discussion paper for the G8 meeting in Tokyo in July that proposes a governing body for copyright protection that would operate outside organisations such as the World Trade Organisation and the UN. more >
Duffy, Gavin and Stacey lead the way
Plans for new laws to force Welsh local councils to promote arts and culture are being drawn up by the Assembly Government. more >
Free instruments for poor children
Children living on England's poorest estates will be provided with musical instruments and taught for free how to perform works by composers such as Bach and Beethoven. more >
Government must address social reforms
The government should develop a cultural policy and effective plan to preserve Nepal’s diverse cultures. more >
Major shakeup of Wales arts funding
Heritage minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas wants a shake-up in the funding of the arts in the face of falling lottery cash and tight public finances. more >
Melting pot provides next step for disability arts
Momentum 09 is an International Disability Art Symposium being held in Auckland, New Zealand, in February 2009. more >
National instrument bank launched today
The Music Council of Australia today launched the inaugural National Instrument Bank. more >
NYEP Must Consider Culture
The Director of the Centre for National Culture has called on the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to draw up programmes and involve all relevant agencies in the promotion of national culture. more >
Waiting room reading gets a dose of poetry
Medical waiting rooms are preparing to throw out celebrity magazines in favour of Shakespearean sonnets or the poetry of Emily Dickinson. more >
What's the point of the Cultural Olympics?
Millions of pounds have been set aside for a festival that no one needs and fewer people want. more >
Courting Donors, Finding Freedom
Festspielhaus Baden-Baden should make everyone think twice about cultural economics and the costs of achieving quality in the arts: at the very heart of subsidized Europe, it is a nonprofit venture that receives not a cent of public money. more >
Culture and money
No one should doubt that festivals have an economic impact - but are the claims made for them overstated? more >
Culture is critical as the UAE struggles to define its ‘identity’
Dr Salem Humaid, a writer and researcher in cultural and anthropological studies, compares Western and Arabic definitions of culture. more >
mov-s 2008: Space for International Exchange of Dance and Movement Arts
mov-s aims to build bridges between artists and Dance and Movement Arts organizations in order to establish communication, collaboration and meeting channels. more >
mov-s 2008: un espacio para el intercambio internacional de la danza y las artes del movimiento
mov-s busca construir puentes de unión entre los artistas y las organizaciones de danza y las artes del movimiento con el fin de establecer vías naturales de encuentro y colaboración. more >
Plan for Creative Scotland 'confused and confusing'
Plans to create a new cultural body through a merger of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen have been sharply criticised by a Parliamentary committee which has found that the proposal lacks clarity and could end up creating confusion. more >
Simon Brault: The Art of Cultural Action
As General Director of the National Theatre School and the Vice-President of the Canada Council, Simon Brault is one of Canada’s top movers and shakers in culture.
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Singapore stages a renaissance
Through its National Arts Council, the Singaporean Government is creating programs and events that will encourage more Singaporeans to take part in the arts. more >
1st international forum of culturologists held in Baku
The forum set the purpose to ensure development of culture propaganda, preservation and scientific surveys in the area of culture. more >
Arthouse Angles for Relevance in National Economy
Stakeholders have engaged in a brainstorming session, ‘Developing the Visual Art Sector: Prospects and Challenges’, to fashioning ways of repackaging the visual arts sector to promote wealth creation. more >
Arts funding favours establishments
New arts and culture funding in the government’s 2008 budget has seen some of the country’s big establishments getting a chunk of new cash, though community art remains underfunded. more >
Arts, culture facing 'glaring problems'
Pallo Jordan, the minister of Arts and Culture, has pointed to some ‘glaring problems’ in the arts and culture sector. more >
Audiences Wales awarded £20k to profile theatregoers
Marketing and development agency Audiences Wales has received a £20000 grant from Arts Council Wales to carry out a research project looking at the at the behaviour of theatregoers in the country. more >
Best practice at heart of new dawn for MLA
The MLA today set out the details of its significantly re-defined role, and new ways of working nationally and regionally. more >
Campbell named as Northern Irish culture minister
He said he would be “looking in particular how the Department for Culture, Arts and leisure can support the creative industries”. more >
China commits 70 million dollars to preserve Tibet culture
China has agreed to commit 70 million dollars to an international fund for the preservation of culture in Tibet. more >
Cultural centres set to boost tourism growth countrywide
The government has launched an initiative to establish community cultural centres to promote national culture and place culture in a strategic position to play a leading role in tourist product diversification. more >
Festival celebrating world culture
In a circular letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1906, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, invited members to an advisory conference to determine "to what extent and in what form the arts and literature can participate in the celebration of the modern Olympiads". more >
Funding pledge to protect rural arts
Arts chiefs have promised that regardless of how much cash is available to hand out, they remain as committed as ever to rural causes. more >
How can arts thrive in increasingly digital world?
Selling a trip to the symphony or a modern- dance recital has never been easy in this country, especially when that pitch is upset by violent tectonic shifts in the larger consumer landscape. more >
Info Days on - Culture Programme (2007 – 2013)
Get informed about funding opportunities under the Culture Programme. Conditions have been simplified with the introduction of a Programme Guide, which will be published mid June 2008. more >
Media practitioners advised to report on Ghanaian culture
The Coordinator of the Cultural Initiatives Support Program has called upon media practitioners to report on cultural activities as a way of increasing the public’s interest in Ghanaian culture. more >
Panel members against one cultural policy
Is there a need for a national cultural policy in India? A national committee has said no. more >
Raising standards across all art forms
Davinia Galea, CEO at the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, elaborates on the transition in the role the MCCA is making and the way she must balance the ethereal world of the arts with down-to-earth management. more >
Shafie: 915 cultural clubs nationwide
The Ministry of Unity, Arts, Culture and Heritage told the Dewan Negara that there are 915 cultural clubs in the country actively promoting traditional culture and arts with a participation from 27,727 people. more >
Thinking outside the box
If women are excelling in the arts, why - as culture minister Margaret Hodge claims - are so few taking the top jobs? more >
Training program on documenting cultural traditions
WIPO will launch in September 2008 a pilot program to assist indigenous communities to document their cultural traditions, archive this heritage for future generations, and manage intellectual property. more >
Why the rise of the private museum is rewriting the rules of the market
Dealers are growing increasingly wary of do-it-yourself institutions. more >
Summer Festival as Environmental Liability
Let's face it: summer festivals are not what you'd call environmentally friendly. Some festivals are attempting to minimize the damage. more >
Local playwrights consigned to the small end of town
About 100 new Australian scripts or texts are being professionally produced on stages nationally a year, but smaller theatre companies are "taking the brunt of that new work", according to new research. more >
The even dearer departed
Battlelines have been drawn between Britain's artistic community and a coalition of London auction houses and dealers over a law that would pay resale rights or a royalty on the sale of artists' works for 70 years after their death. more >
Women Call for Recognition
Responsible authorities are called on to recognize the need to set up a venue for women to establish themselves in their field of interest. The call comes amidst orders for a small group of women who sell baskets at the Art Gallery to vacate the premises. more >
Arts eyes generous donors
A plan to encourage more philanthropy as a source of funding for the arts is being prepared by the Arts Council. It has asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen for his assistance in developing such a culture. more >
Bulgaria Culture Ministry Destroys Publicly 30 000 Illegal CDs
29 955 unlicensed CDs, DVDs, CD-ROM, audio and video cassettes with business software, music, and movies were publicly destroyed Tuesday afternoon at the order of the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture. more >
Call for pay shake-up for West End dancers
Leading choreographer Arlene Phillips has criticised pay levels for dancers in the West End and has called for a new wage structure to be implemented that reflects performers’ experience. more >
Writers Meet Politicians to Discuss Their Rights
Attendees at the reception included Members of Parliament and Peers. Dr Gibson welcomed the assembled audience and was joined on the platform by The Minister for Culture, Creative Industries & Tourism, The Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, who made the key-note speech and poet Wendy Cope who read her poem on the importance of copyright. more >
Your views on culture and development needed
The Commonwealth Foundation's Culture and Diversity programme is inviting interested parties to shape and influence its future work on culture, development and cultural policy. more >
Conductor says art’s at risk when funders call tune
The Arts Council of Wales now offers no specific funding for composers, and one American musician based in Cardiff warns that this could undermine major investment in musical institutions. more >
There's one home but is there one love?
Dr Tan Sooi Beng, associate professor with Universiti Sains Malaysia's School of Arts, believes that recent policies have polarised the arts. more >
The international who's who in cultural policy, planning and research >