International News in August 2008
Show all of 2008
Resources on cultural mobility in Europe and the Mediterranean
The Association for European and International Cultural Development (ADCEI) has recently uploaded a list of resources contributing to cultural mobility in Europe and the Mediterranean. more >
UK immigration proposals could restrict employment of dancers from outside EU
An article from The Independent newspaper considers how proposed changes to UK immigration policy could change the face of dance performances, limiting the ability of dance companies and productions to employ dancers from outside the EU. more >
'Seeing' the theatre through new eyes
The Disability Discrimination Act has boosted a professional service that allows visually impaired people to experience the immediacy of theatre. more >
Arts Council responds to McIntosh Review
The Arts Council of England has committed to investigating the expansion of its membership and will review the support structures behind its front line funders, after broadly accepting the recommendations of an independent review of the body. more >
Cultural sector helps drive economy: report
The most comprehensive study ever made of Canada's cultural sector, commissioned with money from the federal Heritage Department, indicates that arts and culture make up 7.4 per cent of Canada's GDP. more >
DR Congo to help end illegal immigration through culture
The Congolese Minister of Culture and Arts, Esdras Kambale Bahekwa, pledged on Thursday that the country would help end the entry of illegal immigrants into Europe through cultural programmes. more >
Harper defends cuts to federal arts programs
Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended $44.8-million in planned cuts to arts-and-culture programs. more >
Hey, where's my grant? I can be creative
If you cannot make a living in the arts through sales of your work, or voluntary grants from private organizations, you are probably in the wrong trade. more >
Lebanese Culture Min asks for broader cultural ties with Iran
Lebanese Culture Minister here Monday stressed need for broadening and strengthening cultural cooperation between his country and Iran. more >
Let us mainstream our creativity into our economy
An interview with Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Prince Adetokubo Kayode, about the aims and activities of the Ministry. more >
Local authors cry foul
The country should have an arts council focussed on a wider definition of the arts and a supervisory council free from government control. more >
No arts subsidies equals no fun for anyone
Few if any individual artists get grants that completely support them for more than a short time, and no artist or cultural organization is awarded this grant without a vigorous process that includes professional vetting of the application and a peer jury that makes recommendations for awards. more >
Palaces and the people
Cultural palaces and public libraries are spreading their wings to the public. more >
State to host meeting on Arab culture
In cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization, Kuwait's Minister of Information will inaugurate a meeting for a committee of Arab experts who are to update a comprehensive plan for Arab culture. more >
UNESCO chief deplores murder of senior Iraqi cultural official
The head of the United Nations culture agency today condemned the murder of a senior Iraqi Government official who had long worked to protect and preserve his country's cultural heritage. more >
‘Brush’ up your skills
The Ministry of Cultural and Information has announced a contest aimed at promoting young artists. more >
Culture policy contradicted
A Conference Board of Canada report concludes, among other things, that "an important challenge for governments is to ensure communities have the means necessary to support creativity and diversity." more >
Government program will include the concept of “European Cultural Capital”
Minister of Culture, Adrian Iorgulescu, said that in the draft of the government program he’ll present to the Prime Minister, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, tomorrow will include the concept of "European Cultural Capital", for which is stipulated a 5 million-euro budget. more >
Protesters decry arts cuts
A protest yesterday in Montreal drew 2,500 people and some of the strongest condemnations yet of almost $45-million in planned cuts to arts-and-culture funding. more >
Art and accessibility needn't be a recipe for worthy tedium
Arts policy is at a significant juncture right now. For years, anxieties have been expressed about overemphasis on accessibility and populism. But the McMaster report placed the value of production excellence as high as diversity of audience. more >
Creativity, policy and practice discourses
UNESCO Observatory on Multi-Disciplinary Research in the Arts has released a call for papers for volume 1 issue 3 of its E-Journal on ‘Creativity, policy and practice discourses: productive tensions in the new millenium’. more >
For good and bad, globalization has shrunk arts universe
Globalization has shrunk arts universe, leading to greater integration and interdependence, but also complications. more >
Indigenous culture needs a shot in the arm
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has 'lopsided priorities' in its support for indigenous cultural practice. more >
More show venues soon
The Ministry of Culture is moving swiftly to address the shortage of venues to host major cultural shows across Barbados to allow the government to achieve its goals of unleashing the creativity in Barbadians. more >
Ottawa to shift arts funds to Olympic programs
More than $40-million freed up by controversial cuts will be redirected to athletics, bilingualism plan. more >
Quebec, Ontario culture ministers blast Tory arts cuts
The culture ministers of Quebec and Ontario have written an open letter to the federal government questioning its decision to cut arts and culture programs. more >
Rwanda wants to attract more culture enthusiasts
Virtually everyone comes to Rwanda see the gorillas or to enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of the 'country of a thousand hills'. But the government wants more than eco-tourism. more >
Andy Palacio Foundation Launched
Andy Palacio's friends and family today launched the Andy Palacio Foundation. more >
Glasgow gets city of music honour
Glasgow is aiming to build on its rich musical heritage after it was named a United Nations City of Music. more >
So what exactly are the arts good for?
But because we North Americans are a practical, materialist bunch, we must always think of reasons to support the arts. Support must have a purpose. The arts can't be just, well, wonderful, heartening, beautiful. They must be useful. more >
Stripping the Walls to Cover the Bills
Perhaps the time has come for both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities to start enforcing professional standards as well as making grants. more >
Americans for the Arts Webinar Schedule
Americans for the Arts 'webinars' on topics in arts policy and arts advocacy enable you to get a high level of interaction with presenters, attendees, and content without leaving your desk. more >
Creative Clusters 2008: Draft speaker list announced
Creative Clusters 2008 will feature some fifty speakers from around the world presenting case studies and films, running workshops and taking part in debates, discussions and provocation sessions. more >
Funding cut hurts arts, institutions
Federal Government budget cuts are hurting smaller public bodies, including arts and cultural institutions. more >
I do think we take festivals for granted
Last week, the minister announced the latest block of funding from the new Expo Fund, which has been designed to help promote Scottish artists in all the festivals, and also contribute towards the national and international touring of some of these acts in the future. more >
Not quite full circle
Guyana seems determined to take advantage of Carifesta 10 to develop projects designed to ensure something sustainable remains after the fireworks and pageantry of the closing ceremony fades. more >
Talking Musica
There appears to be increased government interest in not only making policy statements about the development of arts and culture, but a conscientious initiative to recognise them as a potential contributor to the growth of the national economy. more >
Using culture to smash the barriers
Staging Chinese cultural activities in foreign countries creates yet another way of showcasing Chinese culture. more >
Welsh local authorities to be legally required to promote culture
Wales’ new heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones has vowed to make the promotion of culture a legal obligation for local authorities, in a bid to ensure that everyone in the country has equal access to the arts. more >
Creative Industries emerge as key driver of economic growth
Creative industries have emerged as one of the world´s most dynamic economic sectors, offering vast opportunities for cultural, social and economic development. International trade in creative goods and services grew at an unprecedented average rate of 8.7% a year from 2000-2005, the figures show. more >
Arts management journal becomes free and goes international
The Asia Pacific Journal of Arts and Cultural Management is now available online for free and is accepting articles from outside the Asia-Pacific region. View the journal at http://www.ojs.unisa.edu.au/index.php/ARTMJ more >
Arts Alive 2008 - International Dance Programme
The Arts Alive 2008’s Dance component is being given a boost and an enhancement as the National Department of Arts and Culture is honouring Dance in this years’ Heritage Month. more >
August Full Moon
The Culture Ministry will open 72 museums and cultural sites for free admission on Saturday, the night of the August full moon. more >
Direct Democracy Against Dada
Several recent referenda have touched on the cultural landscape, prompted by a right-wing party that campaigns against excessive arts funding and has taken a cynical position regarding contemporary art. more >
Ottawa to axe five more arts and culture programs
The Department of Canadian Heritage has decided to cut five more arts and culture programs over the next two years, even as a chorus of complaints from the arts community and opposition MPs rains down on the federal government over cuts announced last week. more >
The vital difference between art and culture
There does not exist in Scotland, or anywhere else in the UK for that matter, a socially inclusive cultural framework that is understood by the cultural policy makers. more >
UN Population Fund gives $10M for Carifesta symposium
The donation is to be used for the Edutainment Symposium which is scheduled to be one of the activities geared specifically for youths at the upcoming mega-event. more >
Want a 'culture of innovation'? Fund our artists
If the federal government believes the artistic community has a role to play in society and the global economy, it needs to reinvest heavily in Canadian artists and stop using the phrase 'culture of innovation' exclusively in the sense of corporate practices. more >
Cultural centre to promote fine arts
Sri Lanka’s first ever National Cultural Centre (NCC) is scheduled to be opened at Veyangoda before the end of this year. more >
Culture drive: improving access to arts
A report published by consultants hired by the government showed that still too many people are excluded from cultural pursuits because public transport simply can't take them there. more >
Free culture no strings attached
Culture vultures can gorge themselves on the arts next month when museums, galleries and theatres welcome them, free-of-charge in the first National Culture Night, an initiative of the Arts Council. more >
Garrett announces $37.5m in Indigenous arts funding
Nearly 250 Indigenous organisations will get a share of $37.5 million in federal arts funding. more >
Govt's got arts funding wrong: Kosky
Famed theatre director Barrie Kosky believes Australian politicians are ignorant when it comes to arts funding. more >
Literacy, numeracy and now 'visuacy' for schools
School students should study Picasso alongside pictures of Elle Macpherson's underwear as part of a recasting of visual arts education away from traditional forms to include images of all kinds. more >
Scheme to set up cultural complexes initiated
The Department of Culture and Tourism has initiated a scheme for the establishment of cultural complexes in different district headquarters, each complex comprising a library, mini-museum, art gallery, and an auditorium. more >
Absence of rigour and an explanation
The painful progress of Creative Scotland, the successor to the Scottish Arts Council, has been a cause for concern ever since the Bill to set it up was published. more >
Australia increases spending on culture
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show total government spending on cultural activities has increased. more >
Britain's stages to close to outsiders
Britain's leading contemporary dance companies have expressed dismay over stringent Home Office immigration proposals that will make it almost impossible for dancers from outside the European Union to perform in the UK. more >
Cultural missionary man
In the last three years, Culture Ireland has being promoting Irish arts with all the zeal of a missionary, and it is matching support for established acts with riskier projects. more >
Culture official turned diplomat
Experienced culture official has been appointed the president's special representative in charge of international cultural cooperation. What impact is that going to have, if any?... more >
Ethics code on Aboriginal art to deter fraud
The Rudd Government yesterday took its first step to clean up the Aboriginal art sector by supporting a national ethics code that aims to deter carpetbaggers and fraudsters. more >
Gordon Campbell On Arts Funding Policy
It’s a little surprising to find at this election, almost universal agreement has broken out between the political parties, big and small. more >
I just don't get modern art, says Italy's culture minister
Italy's culture minister has enraged members of the country's arts community with an attack on modern architecture and an admission that he is completely mystified by contemporary art. more >
Now that culture sector has keyed into the seven point agenda..
Nigeria’s previously under-estimated cultural sector is developing initiatives that integrate well into the nation’s 'seven point agenda' development plan. more >
Ottawa axes second arts subsidy in two weeks
The government has decided to terminate another cultural subsidy initiative, Trade Routes, which helps cultural groups export and sell products abroad. more >
Sask. gov't to develop arts, culture and heritage strategy
The Government of Saskatchewan is launching a consultation process as its first step in building a long-term plan and policy framework for the province's arts, culture and heritage sector. more >
SNCAC meet Income Tax on entertainers
The Swaziland National Council of Arts and Culture (SNCAC) will tomorrow hold a meeting with the department of Income Tax to discuss issues of foreign as well as local entertainers. more >
The arts belong in foreign policy
Cultural exchange is an aspect of diplomacy. It helps spread good feelings about Canada, and is good for business, trade, tourism and immigration. more >
Without the arts, our image grows dim abroad
Last week the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade announced it was cutting all ties to culture by axing its PromArt program, a $4.7 million annual fund that sent artists into the world to speak for Canada. more >
Local arts at 10-year high
The Singapore arts scene in a slump? Not if you go by the numbers. more >
The art of boosting growth
With the rainwashed streets of Edinburgh thronged with visitors darting in and out of the 40 participating galleries in the Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF), it might seem an odd time to query the capital's commitment to the commercial gallery sector. more >
Toronto businessman Joseph Rotman to chair Canada Council
Canadian business mogul Joseph L. Rotman is set to take on the Canadian arts world after being named the new chair of the Canada Council for the Arts. more >
Convocatoria para participar en ¡Ignite las Américas!
El gobierno de Canadá, en coordinación con la Comisión Interamericana de Cultura (CIC) de la Organización de Estados Americanos, llevará a cabo un foro de jóvenes sobre políticas de las artes llamado ¡Ignite las Américas! que tendrá lugar en Toronto, Canadá del 15 al 21 de septiembre de 2008. more >
Culture Minister ready to work and promote Thai culture
Culture Minister Somsak Kitsuranond said he will look into his ministry's overall work and plans to continue and improve the work of former culture minister Anusorn Wongsuwan. more >
EU-ACP Support programme to cultural industries in ACP countries
The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP Secretariat) is seeking proposals for cultural cooperation projects. more >
Gilberto Gil stands down as Minister of Culture
Brazil's Minister of Culture, Gilberto Gil, has announced that he is standing down from government to pursue his music career. more >
Invitation to Participate in ¡Ignite las Américas!
The Government of Canada in collaboration with the Inter-American Committee on Culture (CIC) of the Organization of American States is organizing a youth arts policy forum called "Ignite the Americas", which will take place in Toronto, Canada on September 15 – 21, 2008. more >
Lurking in the wings
Will state funding continue to outweigh private donations, or will a few major arts organisations be funded centrally by government and the remainder left to the private sector? more >
Continent's Arts and Crafts Expo as a Lure for Economic Growth
Besides music and dance, with which we conquered the entertainment world, arts and crafts remain the twin African cultural attributes, for which Nigeria has been acknowledged as the hub. more >
Jumping Through Hoops. Why do we continue to lie on funding applications and evaluation reports?
An essay that asks if the enthusiastic commitment to justifying art's role in regeneration does more to perpetuate the illusions of social inclusion and community cohesion through regeneration than it does to effect real change for the communities regeneration purports to be for. more >
Books not bread is what we need, says publisher
The managing director of the Iranian publishing company Teimurzadeh has recently put forward a proposal to the culture minister to start a program to raise Iran’s per capita book reading. more >
Nordic Forum for InterCulture, Oslo, August
The overall objective of the work done by the Nordic Forum for InterCulture is to promote a cultural life that reflects social diversity. more >
The international who's who in cultural policy, planning and research >