International News in 2011
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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 2011
Use it or lose it: arts funding drama
Establishing a hierarchy of "merit" - on whatever criteria such selection might be judged in a notably "temperamental" sector - is fraught with difficulty and invites the roar of disapproval from the dispossessed and the overlooked. more >
Making Capital out of Culture
European Capitals of Culture, according to latterday legend, were born at Athens airport in January 1985, a day of high winds and delayed flights. Sitting in the lounge waiting for their planes were glamorous former actress Melina Mercouri, then Greece’s Minister of Culture, and her French counterpart, the charismatic Jack Lang. more >
Three Questions for the New Year
One suggestion is to use the strategic planning process as an occasion for both agency reflection and dialogue with the field on a few critical questions. Here are three key questions for your consideration. more >
Ireland to Fund Cultural Programs in U.S.
The government of Ireland is set to fund a $5.3 million initiative to support a vast array of arts programming in the U.S. during 2011, the country's minister of culture is set to announce Friday in New York. more >
NEA feels the heat
With the House's new Republican leadership preaching as-yet unspecified cuts to all domestic discretionary spending, it's probably not out of line to assume that those cuts will include government funding for the arts. more >
Cultural figures and teachers denounce the abolition of arts in schools project
Anger at cut in funding for Creative Partnerships which has brought musicians, artists and actors to classrooms for a decade. more >
Creative New Zealand Invests More Money In Arts
Creative New Zealand, the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa, invested $33.7 million in the arts for the last financial year - an increase of $800,000 on the previous year, according to its Annual Report for the 2009/10. more >
“The sleeping giant of philanthropy”
How artist-endowed foundations are growing in number and financial strength. more >
Chieftains want more divulgation of cultural values
Chieftains, religious personalities and cultural agents in the northern Uige Province on Sunday here called on the authorities of the culture sector to work more and more with society to increase the promotion of cultural values in the region and in the country in general. more >
The business of culture
Held at Peking University (PKU), the two-day forum organized by the Institute for Cultural Industries, PKU, was ambitiously entitled Prospects for 2020: A New Decade of Chinese Cultural Industries, which itself signified confident expectations in the future of Chinese culture. more >
Why successful cities make creative places
Creative Scotland director Andrew Dixon: Some of the most successful modern cities in Europe, from Amsterdam to Barcelona, Madrid to Venice, have come to be defined by their artistic and cultural lives. Likewise in the UK there are many examples of cities that have, in their own way, used the arts and culture either for regeneration, tourism promotion or rebranding. more >
Academic paints a picture of arts as a priority in classrooms
The arts should be embedded in the teaching of all subjects as a way of cultivating creativity and imagination in schoolchildren, according to a paper published yesterday by the Australian Council for Educational Research. more >
Arts cuts: money talks while principles whisper
By focusing on economic arguments in defence of the arts, we've swallowed the coalition's line. It strikes me that one reason for this is that a lot of people don't actually have a principled objection to the cuts beyond the inconvenience that they will likely represent to them personally. more >
European definition of art is absurd
On 11 August 2010, the European Commission decided that a video installation should be classified as “DVD players and projectors”, and a light installation as “light fittings” when imported into the European Union. more >
Minister Wallin to participate in the Capital of Culture opening ceremony in Turku
European Union’s culture ministers have designated one or several cities as the Capital of Culture. The opening ceremony will be celebrated in Turku on Saturday 15 January. more >
Our Fund for Local Cultural Governance: Results of the Call 2010
UCLG created a Fund for Local Cultural Governance in 2010. The creation of the Fund had been promoted by the Committee and the World Secretariat with the support of the Spanish Development Cooperation Agency – AECID and the City Council of Barcelona. more >
Online resource hub: Culture and Creative Industries around the World
UNESCO has launched a unique gateway to online resources on the culture and creative industries around the world. more >
Austerity strikes London nonprofits
The rise of not-for-profit houses, notably the Royal Court, the Donmar and National Theater, was unquestionably the London legit story of 2010. But the not-for-profit sector is likely to dominate the headlines again in 2011 for a different reason: Its funding is about to be cut. And the effects, in both the short and long term, are potentially devastating for the legit scene. more >
Aliyu upgrades Niger Arts Council
State Governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has directed the upgrading of the Niger State Arts Council to a Board with a view to removing it from bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhance its proficiency in revenue generation. more >
Arts funding cuts: what's your story?
When the Culture Cuts blog was launched last week, we asked people to tell us how the arts funding cuts were affecting them and their local communities. We have had a very good response so far. more >
Tough border to breach
The industry now appeals for the youth to use modern means of communication to reestablish cultural diplomacy [between India and Pakistan]. more >
Long-sought national indemnity system for the arts looks set to become a reality
Plans are afoot to establish Japan’s first system of national indemnity for the arts. The nation’s museums have long called for the establishment of such a system, by which the national government would indemnify museums should any damage occur to works of art borrowed by them from overseas institutions for the purpose of exhibitions. more >
Medvedev promotes ethnic Russian culture
President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday called for a higher priority to be given to ethnic Russian culture and said a viable national culture policy was needed. more >
Agency for Cultural Affairs’ 2011 budget set to rise to 103.1 billion yen
The annual budget for the Agency for Cultural Affairs is again likely to rise in 2011. The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry announced on December 25 that the Cabinet had approved a budget of 103.1 billion yen (AUD$1.25 billion) for the agency, an increase of roughly 1.1 billion yen (AUD$13 million) on the 2010 figure. more >
Chinese Culture Minister meets Japanese, South Korean counterparts in Nara, Japan
Chinese Culture Minister Cai Wu met with Seiichi Kondo, Commissioner for Cultural Affairs of Japan, Yu In-Chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea on Tuesday in Japan's Nara for the 3rd China-Japan- South Korea Ministerial Conference on Culture. more >
Botswana needs arts council, says Bakwena
The coordinator of the Thapong Visual Arts Centre, Reginard Bakwena, has called for the establishment of an arts council in Botswana. more >
Decisions reached during the fourth Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee
This document lists the decisions made during the fourth Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. more >
The woes of the Culture Department
Since the abolishment of the Concurrent List in the 18th Amendment, governing the production of films, their censorship and exhibition has become a provincial matter. more >
‘This Space for Rent’: In Europe, Arts Now Must Woo Commerce
Now European arts institutions are facing a squeeze too: government subsidies are falling and corporate donations have dwindled as the economic crisis spreads. The combination is forcing even the grandest museums to seek new revenue sources. more >
Vitality of the Arts Industry Hits 12-Year Low, According to Americans for the Arts’ National Arts Index
Number of arts organizations continues to increase despite poor economic climate. more >
Online help for public service planners launched by Museums Galleries Scotland
Museums Galleries Scotland has announced fresh details of their campaign that supports individuals and organisations making important decisions about the future of publicly-run museums and galleries in Scotland. more >
Arts Council 'may sell' artworks
Arts Council England has said it is considering selling some of its public collection so it can acquire other works. more >
Vaizey - arts must further embrace technology and innovation
Ed Vaizey is to make his first keynote speech as culture minister this week, calling on the arts sector to embrace technology and innovation more fully. more >
AIR 3331: Artist in Residence Program
AIR 3331 is an international program for artists and curators. Taking 3331 Arts Chiyoda and the local area of Akihabara as its stage, this program offers opportunities for residence/production/exchange and exhibition. more >
UNESCO supports BASA's arts research
Business and Arts South Africa's research to focus on developing a formal funding map and a best practice policy document for corporate funders. more >
Art and philanthrophy: an elusive pairing in India
The traditional support for Indian artists from the aristocracy has dwindled. Enthusiasts and practitioners are searching for answers as to why art and culture funding has been neglected. more >
Business philanthropy in the arts falls 11%
The amount of money businesses invested in UK arts last year fell by 11%, figures show. more >
Council argues end to cultural funding divide
We are all creative industries now, according to the authors of a new Australia Council report, who would put symphony orchestras and video gamemakers in the same cultural paddock. more >
Call for articles on cultural policy
culture360.org is looking for writers (cultural policy analysts, researchers, arts managers, artist, journalists) to submit their proposals on the topic of cultural policy in Asia. more >
Imagining great Irish culture
The doom and gloom cycle continues unabated, so it seems like the new ambitious Culture Ireland initiative christened Imagine Ireland couldn’t have come at a better time to America to counter some of that negativity, and also to spark renewed interest in Irish culture for its own sake. more >
Censored Art Causes Collision Between Artists and US Congress
Many artists are worried about artistic freedom in the US museums funded by Congress after a video was removed from one of them. Conservative lawmakers and a Catholic group had objected to the video's depiction of Jesus on the Cross. The removal was ordered by the head of the group of state-funded museums known as the Smithsonian Institution. more >
Art galleries draw the young, the old, and most of those in between
ARE art galleries pretentious playgrounds for the wealthy? Not in NSW, according to more than 7000 visitors to galleries across the state. A study by Museums and Galleries NSW showed art institutions attract people from all walks of life. more >
Texas Study Stresses Economic Progress Through Art
Creative industries — from advertising to dance companies to book publishing — generate $4.5 billion per year in economic activity for Texas. To highlight that fact, the trust, in association with the Texas Commission on the Arts, is releasing a new report this week, prepared by TXP Inc., an Austin-based consulting firm, and paid for with federal stimulus dollars. more >
Culture promotion top priority of KP govt: Iftikhar
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is committed to promoting cultural activities for which a Culture Directorate has been established and a strategy is being devised for the appointment of its permanent director. more >
February 2011
Costa Rica’s President took part in the presentation of the African-descendent Culture Corridor of the Caribbean and Central America
Laura Chinchilla Miranda, Costa Rica’s President, held a meeting with the Ministers of Culture of Central America and the Caribbean where Álvaro Marchesi, OEI’s General Secretary, was also present. more >
Encouraging Private Investment in the Cultural Sector
The Culturelink Network invites you to participate in the research study Encouraging Private Investment in the Cultural Sector, that its focal point IMO is currently undertaking on behalf of the European Parliament. more >
Talking Musika
It is becoming ever more important that Botswana should consider the proper structuring of what is popularly known as the 'entertainment industry'. more >
New approach needed for arts
A ustralia should seek new and original ways to bring together the arts, popular culture and the creative industries without stifling or confining them. In the report, Arts and creative industries, Australia needs new policy approaches which recognise the complex ecology of the arts with popular culture and the creative sector. more >
La presidenta de Costa Rica asiste a la presentación del Corredor de la Cultura Afrodescendiente del Caribe y Centroamérica
La Presidenta de la República, Laura Chinchilla Miranda, sostuvo un encuentro con los ministros de Cultura de la región Centroamericana y el Caribe en la que estuvo presente el Secretario General de la OEI, Álvaro Marchesi. more >
UK can build a 'golden age' of high-tech creativity
A major new report into the skills required by the UK’s high-tech creative industries highlights a worrying blind spot both in UK students’ awareness of the exciting career opportunities they offer, and in the education system which is failing to prepare them for these high-growth areas. more >
French artists protest over state aid
Enough of empty promises, that's all these French artists say they've got from the government. So they've blocked access to the French Culture Forum, which was organized by the Ministry of Culture. more >
Culture minister in Oman talks
Following talks, HE the Omani Minister Haitham bin Tareq al-Saeed , HE Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the cultural field between the Ministry of Heritage and Culture of Oman and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage in Qatar. more >
OIF: Call for expressions of interest in supporting cultural policies and industries
As part of its mission of promoting cultural diversity and in the interest of applying the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, OIF is increasing its support for the implementation of public cultural policies. more >
Ramon Roca Boncompte International Award for Cultural Management Studies
With the aim of contributing to the development of dissemination of research in the field of cultural management at the European level, Ros Roca Group and FiraTàrrega have launched the Ramon Roca Boncompte International Award for Cultural Management Studies. Prize: €6,000. more >
After censorship row, what next in Hungary?
Brussels shows and Budapest appointment overshadowed by government’s hands-on cultural policy. more >
Arts Council England head Dame Liz Forgan defends staff
The chair of Arts Council England, Dame Liz Forgan, has spoken out against the government, claiming it sees its staff as "ATM machines for doling out dosh". more >
Protests in front of the Supreme Council of Culture
Artists and administration personnel from the Supreme Council of Culture gathered in front of their premises at the Opera Grounds in Cairo, on Thursday, 10 February. Not only the protesters demanded Mubarak to step down and the removal of the regime but also they expressed their own grievances related to the Ministry of Culture. more >
Manifesto of the Europe-wide arts advocacy campaign we are more
To national governments – to European decision-makers: We call on you to strengthen the recognition of the role of arts and culture in the development of our European societies by increasing the support to culture in the next EU budget.
more >
Transition of Public Cultural Facilities Need More Government Support
By the end of 2012, all art galleries and public libraries in China will be open to the public free of charge, according to a recent statement by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Finance. more >
Hunt must give more thought to giving
While holding out one hand to the arts and culture, the government is taking away with the other, by removing financial support right across the sector. more >
EU set to launch plan to promote Tanzanian cultures
The European Union (EU) is in the process of approving a major programme for promoting Tanzanian cultures as part of its efforts to strengthen partnership between Europe and Tanzania. more >
Public art high on culture minister's priority list
The ministry is mulling a registration law that will list public art and heritage relics, monuments apart, in the capital and frame laws to punish offenders who violate heritage laws and desecrate public art. more >
NEA chairman provokes heated debate: How much art is too much?
It's a hot-button debate that the nation's leading advocate for dance and theater, sculpture and opera has been spoiling to ignite for months: Does the country have more outlets for the arts than it can handle? more >
Political parties go in search of the 'halo effect'
As the General Election nears, the positions of political parties on the arts assume greater importance and policies range from aspirational to plans for legislation. more >
President's budget reduces almost all cultural funding
For the proposed federal budget for fiscal 2012, released Monday, almost all of the agencies and museums that receive government dollars saw their checkbooks trimmed. more >
Iran sets up office to handle media, culture offenses
Iran’s official news agency says the judiciary has set up a special prosecutor’s office for offenses related to media and culture. more >
Azerbaijan may adopt Code of Culture
By the new law all the rights of peoples engaged in the culture sphere should be ensured, the Head of the Culture and Tourism Ministry Office Firuddin Gurbanov said. more >
Collaboration Grants
Collaboration Grants supports independent cultural organisations working together across borders and disciplines. more >
Baku to host dialogue of civilizations forum
A world forum of dialogue of civilizations is to be held in Azerbaijan from 7 to 9 April. more >
2011 Cultural Policy Research Award: Call for applications now open!
The European Cultural Foundation (ECF), the Riksbankens Jubileumsfond and ENCATC have launched today the call for applications for the 2011 Cultural Policy Research Award. The winner of the CPR Award 2011, worth 10.000 Euro, will be publicly announced on 12 October 2011 at the opening of the 19th ENCATC Annual Conference “CultureForecast” Helsinki, Finland (12-14 October 2011). more >
Art for social change - Poland's cultural plans for EU Presidency
The European Culture Congress, one of the most important events concerning the cultural programme for Polish Presidency of the European Union Council, is scheduled to take place in Wrocław on September 8-11. Its motto is "Art for social change." more >
Charitable Deduction Limit: Bad For Art Nonprofits?
In an effort to reduce the deficit, President Obama hopes to limit the charitable deduction for the top income bracket. That is, wealthy donors who itemize would not be able to deduct as much from their income to owe less in taxes. more >
We simply cannot afford to see funding of arts slashed
Reducing spending on creative bodies by almost a quarter goes too far, says Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. more >
La lectura es la columna vertebral del Gobierno en gestión cultural
El presidente Juan Manuel Santos se reunió con la ministra de Cultura, Mariana Garcés, para conocer las actividades contempladas dentro de su mandato. more >
Reading is the backbone of the Government’s cultural policy
The President Juan Manuel Santos held a meeting with the Minister of Culture, Mariana Garcés, to discuss the activities of her administration. more >
Art needs a preservation law
Recently, union minister of culture Kumari Selja, declared that conservation and public art initiatives would be given priority on a long list of imperatives vis-à-vis an appropriate preservation of culture. more >
Encuesta online sobre políticas culturales cuenta con más de 2 mil participaciones
Hasta el 28 de febrero estará disponible el cuestionario de consulta ciudadana que ofrece el Consejo Nacional de la Cultura y las Artes (CNCA) para elaborar las políticas culturales hasta el año 2016. more >
More than two thousand people have responded to an online survey on cultural policies
The questionnaire that the Consejo Nacional de la Cultura y las Artes (CNCA) has released to consult civil society as part of the process to create its cultural policies until the year 2016, will be available until February 28th. more >
Cultural Policy & Industries
Cultural industries are as old as human society. They are one of the roots of today’s creative economy. more >
Latin-American Network on Cultural Management
In order to set up a meeting point between cultural agents working in Latin America, several professionals, organisations and academic institutions from this sector have launched the Latin-American Network on Cultural Management (RedLGC). more >
Azerbaijan, Bulgaria to ink cultural cooperation agreement
Azerbaijan and Bulgaria will sign an agreement on cooperation in the field of culture. more >
Egypt cultural scene gets facelift after revolution
Dr. Gaber Asfour, former Culture Minister who recently submitted his resignation from the cabinet, said that Egypt is about to implement a new cultural strategy that depends on making culture directed by the people and not the regime like what happened before the revolution. more >
Korea urged to promote culture more subtly
Non-Korean and Korean culture experts, including directors of foreign cultural centers in Seoul, professors and foreign correspondents, advised the Korean government to promote its culture in a more smart and subtle way. more >
NACZ launches revised Zim Arts Directory
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) last week launched the Zimbabwe Arts Directory for this year which will be a reference point for artistes and consumers of cultural products. more >
More cultural institutions to offer free services
Operators of China's public libraries, art museums and culture centers, at a grassroots level, will get financial support from central and local governments in their latest efforts to offer free and better services to the public. more >
Creation of the pool of experts
The first stage of the UNESCO Technical Assistance programme established a pool of Experts in the field of cultural policy and governance. This pool was constituted through a call for experts from which 30 experts were chosen for the diversity of their expertise, experience and knowledge of the culture sector in developing countries. more >
Writers Association of Korea again rejects conditional government subsidies
The Writers’ Association of Korea (WAK) voted at a general meeting Saturday afternoon not to accept support from the government-affiliated Arts Council Korea (ARKO) for a second straight year in response to its demands for a letter of confirmation that applications for government subsidies will not participate in or lead demonstrations. more >
March 2011
Cultural awareness growing, says Khoja
A major book fair opened here Tuesday, prodding people to seek knowledge, taste different cultures and understand the views of others. more >
Asian Arts Theatre 2011 Project Development Initiative
The Project Development Initiative has been hosted by The Office for Hub City of Asian Culture in Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to develop programming for Asian Arts Theatre and to build collaborative relationship with wide range of national and international artists.
more >
EU-ACP Support Programme to Cultural Industries in ACP
The general objective of the Programme is to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development through the promotion of an enabling environment for creativity, cooperation and exchanges, independence and viability of the cultural sector in the ACP States, as well as the safeguarding of cultural diversity and fundamental cultural values. more >
African Fund for Culture and Arts: looking for suggestions
Claimed by many protagonists from the cultural sector in Africa and elsewhere, the creation of an African Fund to support and fund African Arts and Culture has become a necessity. more >
Appel à proposition de personnalités pour le Fonds Africain pour la Culture et les Arts
Réclamé par plusieurs protagonistes du secteur culturel d'Afrique et d'ailleurs, la création d'un fonds africain destiné à financer les arts et la culture en Afrique est devenue une nécessité. more >
Imagining a different Ministry of Culture
Despite a growing presence of independent and non-governmental cultural centers, art spaces, bands and theater troupes, the Egyptian Ministry of Culture remains the main sponsor of cultural production in the country. But its role is contentious, and over the past month, cultural employees of various backgrounds have been meeting regularly to discuss possible reforms of the ministry, at times calling for its abolition. more >
Digitalised books ‘should not be commercialised’
An international expert in library history and paper manufacturing, Lucien Polastron has said that the digital storage system, proposed by many as a backup for protecting books from destruction through natural or human catastrophe, should not be commercialised. more >
Italy’s Minister of Culture Sandro Bondi to Quit Post
Sandro Bondi, Italy's controversial minister of culture, reiterated on Wednesday his plans to quit his job, while lines are drawn in the Italian parliament among those who support the embattled ally of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and those who say that want him to go. more >
New Research Network on Cultural Relations and Diplomacy
The members of this list share information on and discuss issues related to international cultural relations across disciplines. more >
Call for applications for technical assistance missions: Strengthening the Governance of Culture in Developing Countries
UNESCO launches an international call for applications for technical assistance missions in the framework of a project funded by the European Union (EU), aiming to strengthen the system of governance for culture in developing countries. more >
Experts call for detailed rules of law on protecting China's ICH
China is speeding up its protection on the country's intangible cultural heritage. The latest milestone is that the protection has been written into law after being in preparation since 2005. So, what are the do's and don'ts of the law? more >
452 million dollars, the budget of the Algerian ministry of culture in 2011
The budget of the Algerian Ministry of Culture continues to follow an increasing curve since 2005. more >
Snobbery serves no one in arts debate
Tear down the wall between 'high arts' and mainstream culture, Canada Council vice-chair says. more >
Let’s campaign for a ministry of culture
We should start campaigning for a ministry of culture since it's an election year, says Cynthia Zukas. more >
Warm welcome for Abou-Ghazi as culture minister in Sharaf’s cabinet
The choice of minister of culture in Essam Sharaf's new cabinet is popular among intellectuals in Egypt and beyond. more >
Culture council's final curtain
The body responsible for adopting the Nugent report -- which became the blueprint for performing arts reform that has ensured its financial health over the past decade -- is set to be scrapped. more >
Art Dubai unveils arts policy think tank
Art Dubai has named an inaugural council of six fellows to its Global Art Forum, tasked with creating a think tank to formulate arts policy for the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. more >
Changing lives through books
This month more New Zealanders than ever before will be able to buy a book for as little as five dollars - thanks to a promotion by New Zealand Book Month designed to put books into the hands and homes of Kiwis. more >
Traditional knowledge to be protected
During the session on Culture and the Creative Industries, at the National Economic Summit at the National Auditorium last Tuesday, Secretary for Cultural Development Sonny Williams announced the formulation of a Traditional Knowledge Policy. more >
Hunt in plea to business for arts funding
Jeremy Hunt is writing to dozens of FTSE 100 chief executives asking for personal meetings in a drive to encourage Britain’s leading companies to invest in the arts and help offset culture budget cuts. more >
What's keeping Irish arts on the EU money margins?
Few Irish cultural organsiations are winning funds from Europe’s €400m Culture Programme – are they blocked by bureaucracy or just misinformed? more >
The Supreme Council of Culture to gain independence from Ministry of Culture
The proposal for the independence of the Supreme Council of Culture was welcomed by the new Minister of Culture Emad Abou Ghazy, but a decision has not yet been taken. more >
Starving artists flock to online meal ticket
Crowd funding — pooling the resources of multiple donors online — is seen by some as a fundamental shift in how creative projects get off the ground. But a legal downside looms. more >
Grantmaking and risk
Grantcraft recently asked readers to suggest topics for new guides. Managing risk as a grantmaker was the overwhelming favorite. Please take this short follow-up survey to help them home in on which grantmaking activities you consider risky, and why. more >
Theatres should give up charitable status, says Arts & Business’ Tweedy
Arts & Business chief executive Colin Tweedy has called for theatres and art galleries in Britain to consider giving up their charitable status, claiming that charity law is too restrictive and is leading to a risk-averse environment in the cultural sector. more >
Mark Schuster Prize on comparative cultural policy
Mark Schuster (1951-2008) was a very distinguished researcher, specializing in comparative cultural policies, urban planning and cultural economics. This new award wants to recognize the best recently published paper on comparative cultural policies, presented by a young researcher. more >
Conca joins the protest against cuts in culture
The National Council for Culture and the Arts (Conca) yesterday joined the call for a rally against budget cuts for culture. The initiative originally began on Facebook by a group of Catalan cultural associations has gained numerous supporters and is expected to bring together hundreds of people on 21 March in the heart of Barcelona, under the slogan - Don't Cut Culture . more >
El Conca se suma a la manifestación contra los recortes en cultura
El Consejo Nacional de la Cultura y las Artes (Conca) se sumó ayer a la convocatoria de una concentración contra los recortes presupuestarios de la cultura. Esta iniciativa, convocada inicialmente por Facebook por diversas asociaciones del sector cultural catalán, ha recibido ya numerosas adhesiones y se prevé que reúna a centenares de personas el 21 de marzo, en la plaza de los Àngels de Barcelona, bajo el lema No retalleu la cultura. more >
Chinese Arts Administrators Demand Respect and More Funding at Political Meeting
China has adopted art and culture as a cornerstone of its surging national profile, but it seems the government's official posture on how to encourage the creative sector is still very much a work in progress. more >
Artist Recognises Women's Commitment to Visual Arts
The plastic artist Marcela Costa said on Thursday in Luanda that the women are more engaged in visual arts lately, and thus contributing with their skills to the growth of the national culture. more >
Singapore | Collective Creativity
A series of Opinion articles by John Howkins and others present interesting perspectives on culture and creativity - both about Singapore in particular and creative cities and cultural policy generally. more >
Artists Say there is No Room for Art Development in Georgia
Georgian painters complain that it’s almost impossible to achieve real success in Georgia, where there is practically no opportunity to exhibit their artworks or sell them. more >
Helen Mirren, Mike Leigh y más artistas critican los recortes a las artes del Gobierno de Cameron
Una cincuentena de artistas británicos advirtieron hoy en una carta a "The Observer" de los graves efectos que tendrán en la producción artística del Reino Unido los recortes a la financiación de las artes impuestos por el Gobierno de David Cameron. more >
Theater Stars Protest UK Arts Funding Cuts
Some of Britain's best-known actors and directors say the government's cuts to arts spending is the biggest threat to country's arts and culture in decades. more >
China Donates Musical Instruments to Sudan
Sudan's Ministry of Culture on Monday received different types of musical instruments as gifts from China. more >
Kabul hosts Economic Cooperation Organization meeting
The meeting is expected to mull the ways to develop the cultural cooperation among the ECO member-states. more >
Iran, Afghanistan Ink MoU on Cultural Cooperation
Iran and Afghanistan on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost mutual cooperation in cultural fields. more >
Dip in Arts Attendance tied to Decline of the Omnivore
A new NEA study finds the group of people who regularly attend arts events is both shrinking and getting less active. more >
Tough Passage for Flemish Ballet Troupe
In October 2010, the Flemish Ministry of Culture announced that the ballet company would merge with the Flemish opera, with both under a state-appointed administrator, or Intendant, who would manage the single organization. more >
The big cuts: who will lose?
With Arts Council England poised to announce where the axe will fall, Rupert Christiansen says courage and quality should be rewarded. more >
Funding to boost Scotland’s creative industry
Scotlan will be one of the world’s “most creative nations” within nine years, the nation’s art funding body declared yesterday. more >
City Ballet A-Twitter Over Posts
New York City Ballet is set to become one of the country's first major performing-arts companies to govern its employees' posts on Twitter, Facebook and other social-media outlets. more >
Opening of Intangible Heritage Course
Cultural Heritage plays a vital role in unifying and creating understanding among people. Culture can also strengthen regional and international cooperation by creating mutual respect and tolerance. more >
Global Heritage Fund Launches Innovative Early Warning and Threat Monitoring System for Cultural Heritage Sites in Developing Countries
GHN enables international experts, local communities, funders, volunteers and travelers to help protect, preserve and sustain global heritage sites facing accelerating and simultaneous threats in developing countries. more >
Iraqi city rushes to get ready as Islamic culture capital
Iraq's holiest Shiite city, Najaf, will become an Islamic Capital of Culture next year. The Najaf celebrations are part of broad efforts by Iraqi authorities to put the country back on the cultural map after the US-led invasion of 2003 to oust Saddam Hussein led to years of brutal sectarian war. Preparations, however, are running well-behind schedule. more >
Tax changes alarm UK art market
Income tax and VAT increases mean wealthy art buyers could feel the pinch. more >
Push to promote traditional arts
Traditional arts groups here, such as Chinese opera and Indian classical dance troupes, will get a leg up with a new $500,000 grant introduced by the National Arts Council (NAC) yesterday. more >
A new approach to supporting the creative industries
It is common to see public investment in infrastructure, such as next generation broadband. But should policy go beyond this? more >
Influence of culture on religious issues to be topic of forum in Baku
The forum on intercultural dialogue in Baku will discuss the influence of culture on the settlement of disagreements between the religious faiths, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev told media. more >
Culture minister meets head of British council for Research
Minister of Culture Tarek Masarweh on Sunday discussed with Director of Council for British Research in the Levant Professor Bill Finlayson scopes of cooperation between the ministry and the council, particularly in areas related to libraries and the exchange of expertise. more >
Mapping potential of creative industries in Ho Chi Minh City
Experts identified all the creative industries in Ho Chi Minh City and their contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at a mapping training program for creative industries. more >
How do you change a stereotype?
Australia is long overdue its own Alliance Francaise or Goethe Institut - a co-ordinated body to spruik our culture internationally. more >
It's time for all of us to stand up and fight for future of arts
Columnist: My heart sank this week when I heard world-renowned cultural adviser Sir Ken Robinson weighing up Education Secretary Michel Gove's ideas on school curriculum reforms. more >
First details of new vision for Scotland’s museums unveiled
Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop pledged support for Scotland’s museums and galleries in a Scottish Government announcement issued to press over the weekend. more >
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure launches marching band study
The minister for culture, Nelson McCausland, has launched a new study of marching bands commissioned by his own department. more >
Can philanthropy bail out the arts?
Many arts organisations across the UK are feeling the squeeze as their public subsidies are cut. Can millionaire benefactors step in to fill the gap? more >
Colossal cuts for 'cultural capital'
Poland’s Ministry of Culture has made dramatic cuts in state funding for a number of Krakow's cultural festivals, depriving several noted international events of a single cent. more >
Swiss-Balkan Cultural Exchange Projects
The Swiss Cultural Programme (SCP) in the Western Balkans aims to strengthen cultural ties between Switzerland and Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. more >
Sandro Bondi, Italy’s Controversial Minister of Culture Steps Down
He will be replaced by Minister of Agriculture and long-time ally of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Giancarlo Galan. more >
Italy makes arts funding U-turn
Bowing to mounting protests over arts cuts, Silvio Berlusconi's government has suddenly decided to refinance Italy's arts fund and abolish a €1 ($1.40) tax on movie tickets intended to support the film sector. more >
Freedom to Create Prize Opens 24 March
The annual Freedom to Create Prize celebrates Courage and Creativity and artists who use their talents to build social foundations and inspire the human spirit. more >
France and the arts: a new revolution
Culture and the arts in France have traditionally been seen as sacrosanct, and thus considered immune to the state funding cuts sweeping the rest of Europe. But all that may be changing. more >
OAS Launches Inter-American Year of Culture in the Americas
The Organization of American States (OAS) today launched the Inter-American Year of Culture, the objective of which is to highlight the diversity of cultures in the Americas and promote the key role that culture plays in the economic, social and human development of countries in the hemisphere. more >
Egypt's minister of culture speaks of hopes and plans for the ministry
Emad Abou-Ghazi's appointment as the new minister of culture comes at a time when long-hidden conflicts are coming to the surface, but he has hopes and plans for fixing the ministry and reaching out to Egypt. more >
The Budget and the Arts: Osborne tilts towards private supporters
Yesterday’s Budget, as expected, tilted future presumptions for arts funding firmly towards a higher proportion of private philanthropy with a series of measures to encourage wealthy individuals through tax quid pro quos to donate to arts either in financial support or in actual works of art. more >
Culture ministry considers establishing state theaters in Polatsk, Lida
The Belarusian Ministry of Culture considers granting state theater status to two troupes based in Polatsk, Vitsyebsk region, and Lida, Hrodna region. more >
Pompeii tops new culture minister's agenda
Italy's new culture minister said reversing the frail state of 2,000-year-old ancient Roman city of Pompeii is a priority in his agenda of giving culture more importance amid criticism of neglect under prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's government. more >
IFACCA: nuevo listado de boletines sobre arte y políticas culturales
La Federación Internacional de Consejos de Arte y Agencias de Cultura (IFACCA) ha ampliado los recursos que pone a disposición del usuario en su página Web con un nuevo listado de cerca de 100 boletines electrónicos que tratan sobre arte y políticas culturales. more >
China’s Soft Power
The Diplomat speaks with Joshua Kurlantzick, author of ‘Charm Offensive: How China's Soft Power Is Transforming the World’, about Chinese soft power diplomacy. more >
Arts world reacts angrily to 'ministerial meddling' in Belfast Festival
Artists have lambasted Culture Minister Nelson McCausland for what they see as his attempts to influence the programming of one of Northern Ireland’s most popular arts festivals.
more >
Kuwait, Armenia plan to cement cultural relations
Minister of Information and Chairman of the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters (NCCAL) Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah stressed yesterday the importance of developing ties between Kuwait and Armenia in various fields, particularly the cultural and cognitive ones. more >
Culture warriors’ cry to art museums: Toughen up against political pressure
In the aftermath of the hysteria around the Robert Mapplethorpe exhibition 22 years ago, the museum world has become timid and predictable, veterans of that battle argue. more >
The drain in Spain: the country's arts crisis
The country spent a fortune trying to place itself at the centre of the art world. So why do its best artists all leave? more >
Arts world gets creative in funding crisis
With public grants for the arts shrinking, many venues and artists are looking for new ways to fund their works. From fan funding to hosting weddings on stage, here are some of the more innovative schemes that arts bodies around the UK are turning to. more >
Arts Council told to sell off masterpieces in damning report by MPs
The Arts Council in England has been told to sell works from its art collection – which includes masterpieces by Anish Kapoor, Sarah Lucas, Mark Wallinger and Damien Hirst – in a highly critical report. more >
Move To Protect 'Cultural' Intellectual Property
Government departments and ministries are taking note of the issue of intellectual property rights by gathering their resources to learn more about the matter. more >
What Role Should Government Play in Funding Erotic Art?
The question posed at a symposium Sunday sparks debate among West Hollywood artists, activists and cultural arts commissioners. more >
New Fundraising Resource for Creative ideas
The organisation Business to Arts has launched Fund it, the first ‘crowdfunding’ web platform in Ireland, with a view to raising funds from the general public for creative ideas from all over the island. more >
Fondo Internacional para la Diversidad Cultural: convocatoria para solicitudes de financiamiento
La UNESCO lanza una convocatoria internacional para solicitudes de financiamiento del Fondo Internacional para la Diversidad Cultural (FIDC). more >
New board for the NAC
Minister Paul Mashatile officially announced the new board members of the National Arts Council of South Africa. more >
International Fund for Cultural Diversity: Call for applications
UNESCO launches the second call for applications for funding from the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD). more >
Fonds international pour la diversité culturelle : appel à demandes de financement
L’UNESCO lance un appel international à demandes de financement au Fonds international pour la diversité culturelle (FIDC). more >
Grupos de arte en Gran Bretaña sufren recortes presupuestarios
Centenares de organizaciones británicas de artes tuvieron recortados sus fondos el miércoles, como resultado de reducciones presupuestarias del gobierno dirigidas a combatir el déficit del país. more >
Arts Council funding: a day of mixed fortunes as cuts are announced
More than 200 organisations lose their funding – but there are some winners as Alan Davey announces 'agonising and painful decisions' more >
British Arts Groups Feel the Sting of Funding Cuts
Hundreds of British arts organizations had their public funding slashed or eliminated Wednesday, the result of government spending cuts aimed at tackling the country's deficit. more >
Arts council funding questions: the Q&A digested
An online Q&A with Arts Council England Chief Executive, Alan Davey. more >
Crowdsourcing government arts funding
Government arts funders could harness the power of crowdfunding to get more bang for their buck. more >
Azerbaijan to suggest new “Intercultural Cooperation Platform”
The World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue will be organized in Baku from 7 to 9 April 2011, based on the previous intercultural dialogue events known as the Baku Process, initiated by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in 2008. more >
April 2011
EU And Brazil Launch Policy Dialogue On Higher Education And Culture
Better policy cooperation in higher education and culture will be the main focus of an official visit to Brazil next week (3-9 April) by Androulla Vassiliou, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. more >
Alec Baldwin, Hill Harper, Kevin Spacey and Kerry Washington Participants at AAD
Americans for the Arts, in conjunction with the Congressional Arts Caucus and more than 80 national co-sponsors, announces the event schedule for Arts Advocacy Day 2011. more >
Grantcraft translations
A selection of GrantCraft guides are now available in Arabic. more >
Iran Boosts Efforts to Introduce Persian Culture to Outside World
Senior Iranian officials announced that they plan to boost the country's cultural exports in a move to introduce the Persian culture and civilization to the outside world, specially the nations of the region. more >
Chinese police detain artist Ai Weiwei
Officials stopped outspoken artist at Beijing airport this morning and police have surrounded studio. more >
Korean cultural centers need to identify local demand: minister
Korean Culture and Information Service’s Korean culture centers promoting Korean studies, culture and arts around the world need to know exactly what kind of information and content local visitors want, Culture Minister Choung Byoung-gug said in a meeting with Korean cultural center heads in Sydney, Australia. more >
Llamamiento a candidaturas para misiones de asistencia técnica: Reforzar la gobernanza de la cultura en los países en desarrollo
La UNESCO empieza un llamamiento internacional a candidaturas para misiones de asistencia técnica en el marco de un proyecto financiado por la Unión Europea (UE) destinado a consolidar el sistema de gobernanza de la cultura en los países en desarrollo. more >
Be Professional, Band Managers Urged
The National Arts Council has called on band managers to exercise professionalism when dealing with artists and the public. more >
Of national policy on cultural development
Culture is a way of life of a people in a given society. Are there cultures in Nigeria? Are they developed to meet modern day development? These questions arise out of the gaps in cultural values and orientations discovered in the society. more >
Mashatile guides new National Arts body
Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile, speaking at the inauguration of the new National Arts Council last week, was quite clear: he wants the new body to steer the controversy-prone ship to calm waters. more >
National Arts Broadband Forum: Over 700 Participants
Monday 28th March was a significant day for Australia’s regional and remote artists, arts organisations and arts industries, marking the nation’s first National Arts Broadband Forum (NBN) hosted by Regional Arts Australia at Parliament House, Canberra. more >
Tsunami's Cultural Wake
Three weeks after the disaster in Japan, officials are starting to get an idea of how much cultural heritage was damaged by the earthquake and the tsunami. more >
Program of upcoming International forum of Intercultural dialogue made public
Draft programme of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue to be held on April 7-9, 2011 in Baku was detailed. more >
Centre to help writers stay in touch with tech, trends
Award-winning journalist and former Victorian arts and education minister Mary Delahunty will head a new national writers centre based in Canberra. more >
Big bucks and the boy king
When it comes to culture, is bigger necessarily better? Are blockbuster shows about great art or making money? more >
Kevin Spacey pide al Congreso fondos para las artes
Kevin Spacey improvisó el martes "teatro callejero" para pedir al Congreso que preserve el financiamiento para el Fondo Nacional para las Artes (NEA) en medio de llamados a fuertes recortes presupuestarios. more >
Kevin Spacey calls for arts funding
Kevin Spacey performed some impromptu street theatre on Tuesday to ask Congress for continued funding of the National Endowment for the Arts amid calls for deep budget cuts. more >
CCA unveils US$24-million plan for promoting performing arts
The Council for Cultural Affairs unveiled a four-year plan April 7 that aims to help domestic art groups build a stronger base in Taiwan and make the performing arts more widely available to local audiences. more >
Intercultural dialogue vital for world peace, says Khoja
Saudi Arabia on Thursday stressed the increasing need for intercultural dialogue to maintain peace and stability around world. more >
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Culture present the First National Foreign Cultural Action Plan
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Trinidad Jiménez, and the Minister of Culture, Ángeles González-Sinde, are presenting the National External Cultural Action Plan today in the Cervantes Institute. more >
Bob Dylan's political road – and Sesame Street's
Tyrannical regimes may be influenced by cultural 'soft power', but a boycott can be less compromising. more >
Culture and art programme continues for five more years
The Nordic ministers of culture have discussed the generally very positive evaluation report of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ culture programmes, and decided to extend the Culture and Art Programme for another five years. more >
How You Can Use Grant-Making Data
Each year, state arts agencies submit grant-making statistics to NASAA through Final Descriptive Reports. Data is available from fiscal year 2010 back to the early 1980s. The examples presented here are just a few ways this data can be used to show how public dollars are invested in the arts. more >
Artists Demand Copyright And Neighbouring Rights Bill
Local artists and creative industry stakeholders are calling for the immediate amendment and endorsement of the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Bill. more >
Art Fund announces museum funding fillip and national art pass
UK's biggest art charity increases its grant to galleries by more than 50% and launches a new free admissions scheme. more >
Performers find all the world wide web's a stage
Australian performing arts companies are falling behind their international peers when it comes to exploiting new digital technology. more >
Summit bids to forge new policy on arts and culture
Paul Mashatile, the minister of arts and culture, wants speculation about the importance of the arts and culture sector to stop, concrete answers to the question of its contribution to the economy quantified and specified, and new policies adopted, hence the summit. more >
Commission Analyses Law On Cinema, Cultural Policy Strategy
The Social Policy Commission, meeting Thursday in Luanda, analysed and decided to submit to the Cabinet Council the preliminary draft Law on Cinema and Audiovisual, as well as Cultural Policy Strategy of Angola. more >
Call for papers: In search of cultural policy
The Cultural Trends conference in 2011 will survey the practice, condition and future of cultural policy-making in the 21st century. As cultural policies acquire ever greater significance at local, national and international level, the conference will explore all aspects of cultural policy-making as it is practised by individual organisations, local authorities, non-government and government agencies, and international bodies. more >
Call for proposals: European Alliances for Mobile and Mobility Industries and Creative Industries
The present call for proposals aims at a more strategic support to service innovations, with the objective to unlock its transformative potential at sectoral and market level and to contribute to strengthening the innovativeness of the economy as part of the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy. more >
Serbia takes over presidency of Council of culture ministers of southeastern Europe
Minister of Culture, Media and Information Society Predrag Markovic participated yesterday in Bucharest in the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Culture of South East Europe, where Serbia took over a one-year presidency of this body. more >
Arts boards in danger of becoming mere parasites
The Government has decided that positions on State boards are to be advertised publicly, with all citizens free to apply. Sounds like a great idea, doesn't it? more >
Haiti - Culture : The Centre d'Art will live again
"If we want that the Haitian art remains at the level that existed until now, thanks to the Centre d'Art, the institution must live again..." declared Axelle Liautaud, a member of the board of the Centre d'Art, this week, on the sidelines of the presentation of the project of rescue of the Centre, launched in September 2010. more >
Inputs from the sector to the EU public consultations on the future of the EU funding programme for culture and the Green Paper on culture and creative industries
The European Commission released the contributions to the public consultations held during 2010 on the future of a EU funding programme for Culture; as well as the analysis of the responses to the green paper on unlocking the potential of the culture and creative industries. more >
PNCA committed to looking after welfare of artists, says director
Talking to Daily Times, PNCA Director performing art Hassan Abbas Raza said council was a national organisation and it was committed to looking after welfare of artists belonging from all provinces. more >
Minister emphasizes training as fundamental for cultural development
The Angolan minister of Culture, Rosa Cruz e Silva, pointed Monday, in Saurimo, Lunda Sul province, pointed the training of staff as a key factor for cultural development of Angola. more >
New Media Lifes - research on new media workers in Asia and Europe
The New Media Workers Research Platform, which happened in Shanghai, China, in 2010, explored the living and working conditions of new media workers in Asia and Europe. more >
Devolution of ministry of culture last nail in coffin
An official of PNCA, on condition of anonymity, told Daily Times that the Ministry of Culture’s high-ups in past were not interested in promotion of art and culture. more >
CCF to be re-awakened to revive past glory
Cultural Affairs Minister T B Ekanayake emphasized that the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) would be invigorated and awakened to revive the country’s past glory and splendour. more >
Satisfecha directiva internacional por cita en Cuba
Sarah Gardner, directora Ejecutiva de la Federación Internacional de Consejos de las Artes y Agencias Culturales (IFACCA) se mostró satisfecha por los resultados positivos de la 30 reunión de la organización concluida hoy en esta capital. more >
En la Casa, representantes de la FICAAC
Miembros de la Junta Directiva de la Federación Internacional de Agencias y Consejos de Artes y Cultura (FICAAC), que celebran por primera vez una reunión en el Caribe insular, visitaron en la tarde de este lunes 18 de abril la sede de la Casa de las Américas, donde fueron recibidos por representantes de varias áreas de trabajo de la institución. more >
The Top 10 Reasons to Support the Arts (from Arts Watch)
Randy Cohen, Vice President, Research and Information, Americans for the Arts: I was recently asked by a major biz leader for “10 reasons to support the arts.” He needed the points to help him pull an 8-figure inve$tment for a new arts center…Make it compelling to government and business leaders, he asked. more >
Federal Election 2011: Public Cultural Investments under Canada’s 40th Parliament
In 2008, the CCA published a bulletin analyzing the investments made under Canada’s 39th Parliament in the arts, culture and heritage sector. In order to give you a broad perspective, we used several years’ worth of budget analyses to explain funding to the sector. more >
Landing on the cultural map
Creative economy has become a buzz word in our globalised world. Thailand has expressed its will to join the bandwagon, even Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva recently claimed that Thailand is one of the top 20 countries able to lead in this area. more >
China moves to tighten supervision to stop obscene performances
China's Ministry of Culture on Tuesday said that the government would step up efforts to eradicate obscene performances in order to clean up the cultural market and ensure its healthy development. more >
IFACCA’s Executive Director Expresses Satisfaction with Meeting
The Executive Director of the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA), Sarah Gardner, expressed her satisfaction with the positive results of the 30th meeting of this organization, which came to an end on Tuesday in Havana. more >
Minister addresses challenges for ‘Saudi multi-cultural society’
Abdul Aziz Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, has said that Saudi society faces a range of “cultural challenges”, particularly in the technological age in which “cultures are intertwined”. more >
Community Arts Behind the Walls
In the current issue of CultureWork, Grady Hillman chronicles his experience visiting the Oregon State Correctional Institute (OSCI) with a cohort of university faculty, graduate students, and community arts leadership. more >
Arty plan to 'grow economy'
The government is turning to the country's creative arts as a source of economic growth - but the proposals have met with a mixed reaction. more >
Ghana Arts and Culture and UNESCO Convection questioned
The Regional Advisor for Culture, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Cluster Office, Accra, Ms. Moji Okuribido, has expressed worry over government’s inability to ratify the UNESCO Conventions. more >
The art of taking risks
Something special is under way. We could well look back on 2011 as the year arts policy came of age. more >
Ministry of Culture prepares plans to revive nation's culture
The Ministry of Culture, which was established in accordance with the Republican Decree (22) of the year 2010, has worked on a plan aiming to bolster cultural, creative and social performance; and to carry out the strategic objective of making culture play a leading role in the Sudanese life and contributing to the enhancement of the Sudanese Identity. more >
Beijing Censors Take Aim at Music
China's Ministry of Culture will "hand down punishments" to 14 websites, including one run by Internet search provider Baidu Inc., for providing downloads of songs not approved or registered with the country's content regulators, in what appeared to be part of a renewed effort to block explicit and politically sensitive online content. more >
Senegal to unveil national development plan for intellectual property
A national development plan for intellectual property (PNDPI), covering the period 2011-2015, will soon be unveiled in Senegal, according to an official of the ministry of Mines, Industry, Food-processing and Small and Medium-seized companies, Emmanuel René Moïse. more >
Los problemas en las artes siguen siendo los mismos en todas partes
Entre los días 18 y 19 de este mes se celebró en La Habana la XXX Reunión de la Junta Directiva y la Reunión del Sector América Latina de la Federación Internacional de Consejos de las Artes y Agencias Culturales (IFACCA). more >
30th Meeting of IFACCA board in Havana
The 30th meeting of IFACCA’s board of directors and the meeting of its Latin American and Caribbean Members were carried out in Havana on 18-19 April. more >
Harper government, enemy of the arts?
Liberal, NDP and Green Party representatives were there. Even Communist and Marijuana candidates made it to Ottawa's Cube Gallery last week for an all-party debate on arts policy. But there was no Conservative representation — and should we be surprised? more >
Swedes call for art to be tax deductible
New leader of opposition party hopes to trigger debate about cultural funding. more >
Minister S. Kaplan: "Bosniacs Pleased and Satisfied with Turkey’s Presence in the Region"
Journal of Turkish Weekly conducted an exclusive interview with Minister for Culture and Sports in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and member of the Presidency of Party of Democratic Action (SDA), the largest Bosniacs’ party in BiH, Salmir Kaplan, in Sarajevo, on 24th April 2011. more >
Pacific heads discuss trademark mechanism
A three day meeting of Pacific Heads of Intellectual Property (IP), was officially opened by Commerce and Industry Minister, Gabriel Kapris yesterday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel to discuss Regional Mechanism for Trademark Administration. more >
Culture Policy remains the priority of the Ministry of Tourism
Last week, Arts Editors of major Nigerian news media in Lagos paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Mohammade at his office in Abuja. more >
A new NEA study finds Americans like companionship with their arts-going
A good number of the 1.5 million Americans who go to an arts performances on an given day bring someone along. Less than 7 percent go alone — 41 percent have a companion and 54 percent bring a family member. They usually spend 2.7 hours at the event. more >
Venezuelan Minister Lauds Cultural Exchange with Cuba
Venezuelan minister of Culture, Francisco Sesto, said cultural exchange between Cuba and his country is excellent and thanked the island’s contribution to the social development of that nation. more >
Culture cuts will boost prices and cost jobs, says arts council
Government plans to cut spending on the arts and culture will lead to a 20% increase in ticket prices and the loss of 3,000 jobs, the national arts council said in a report. more >
May 2011
Chinese official stresses reform of system affecting cultural sector development
Senior Chinese official Li Changchun has called for greater efforts to be made to reform the system that hinders the development of the country's cultural sector and boost the transformation of cultural development system. more >
Beyond the trees, a forest of opportunity untapped
Just before Easter, Arts Minister Simon Crean announced that advertising guru and philanthropist Harold Mitchell would undertake a major review of private sector support for the arts in Australia. more >
Culture for Development Indicator Suite
The UNESCO Culture for Development Indicator Suite is a pioneering research and advocacy initiative that aims to establish a set of indicators highlighting how culture contributes to development at national level fostering economic growth, and helping individuals and communities to expand their life choices and adapt to change. more >
South African artists holding their breath on funding issues
If the politicians deliver on their promises, made at the Department of Arts and Culture’s recent consultative conference in the Newtown Cultural Precinct, a new landscape awaits South Africa’s artists. more >
First Expert Meeting of the European Expert Network on Culture (EENC)
The first meeting of the European Expert Network on Culture (EENC) was held in Brussels on 11 April, involving representatives of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC), the majority of members of the EENC as well as Interarts and Culture Action Europe, the organisations which coordinate the group. more >
Appel à propositions du programme ACP-UE d’appui aux secteurs culturels ACP Cultures II + ACP Films II
Accès aux lignes directrices du nouveau programme et au dossier de candidature. more >
Call for Proposals for the ACP–EU Support Programme to ACP Cultural Sectors: ACP Cultures II + ACP Films II
New guidelines and application pack. more >
Government Expenditures on Culture: Data Tables 2008/2009
Statistics Canada recently released a brief overview and data regarding government spending on culture in 2008-09. The data includes direct government support for culture through operating expenditures, capital expenditures and grants. Excluded are indirect support instruments, such as tax credits. Hill Strategies has analyzed this data for this issue of the Arts Research Monitor. more >
Arts Voice Christchurch
At a meeting facilitated by Creative New Zealand on Wednesday 27th April a 7 member committee was elected by attendees to represent the arts community of Christchurch. more >
Venezuela Launches National System of Popular Cultures
On Wednesday Venezuelan Minister of Culture, Francisco Farruco Sesto, announced the birth of Venezuela’s National System of Popular Cultures (SNCP) – a nationwide effort to foment the development of popular culture and the artists behind it. more >
Creative Industries Minister Sets Out Support For Publishing And Copyright
Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries Ed Vaizey MP addresses The Publishers Association's Annual General Meeting. more >
Renewed emphasis on cultural diversity
The two-day Civil Society Pre-Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilissation in Doha has given a renewed importance to the centrality of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue as a preparation for fourth annual forum to be held in December. more >
Arts should be a key part of curriculum, even with cuts
As more and more states talk about education reform, it is important to keep many things in perspective. A lot of reform focuses on increasing math and science curriculum and requirements. However, one of the things forgotten over the years as districts have dealt with budget cuts are classes in the arts. more >
Enough Already: 'Too Much Culture Management'
In the midst of Tallinn's year in the spotlight as the European Capital of Culture, the new Minister of Culture Rein Lang said in a talk to creative industries representatives that Estonia has too many cultural institutions. more >
Culture minister misses diplomatic life, admires youth handling of ‘new media’
Abdul Aziz Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, has said that he misses his life as a diplomat abroad but that his passion for writing verse has been a permanent fixture in a life in which “jobs come and go”. more >
Constitution of Comparative Research Networks (CRNs)
Researchers based at African universities and centres of research are invited to undertake studies on/or around any of the themes identified as priority research themes of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), including the popular arts, identity and culture in contemporary Africa; and migration dynamics and the making of new diasporic communities. more >
A Week of Arts Education Research & Recommendations
As previewed by Marete Wester on ARTSblog, this week has been chock full of data and recommendations from our own organization’s National Arts Policy Roundtable (NAPR); the U.S. Department of Education’s first look at national arts education from 2009-2010; and the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH) recommendations for the field. more >
The Pakistan Arts Council that was
The Pakistan Arts Council ceased to be a private body and stayed ‘taken over’ and designated by the government as ‘Lahore Arts Council’. This status was a climb down for an organisation which had pioneered the awareness of the importance of culture for a new nation. more >
The arts can survive, and thrive, without public money
State subsidy is not the only way to cultural excellence, and often it only perpetuates mediocrity. more >
Why Aren't Americans Angrier?
Although you’d hardly know it from Americans’ comparative silence (on which, more in a minute), decreases in U.S. government funding to arts groups are almost certainly going to be deeper than the ones that have provoked such a strong reaction in the U.K. more >
France pledges to support Vietnam’s cultural sector
France will continue to help Vietnam in training cultural and art officials and welcome Vietnamese art students to study in France, affirmed Minister of Culture and Communication, Frederic Mitterrand. more >
Revealed: How the Scottish arts faces its own Highland Clearances
Arts and culture in the Highlands and Islands are being hit harder than anywhere else in Scotland as the recession and funding cuts begin to bite, a survey by the Sunday Herald and The Herald can reveal. more >
Culture Days returns for second year
On Monday, the cultural community was all smiles amid the performance art, live painting and drumming at the announcement launching Canada’s second annual Culture Days. more >
The budget of the Ministry of Culture to be reduced
Abou-Ghazi declared in a conference held yesterday, 9 May, that the cabinet is considering reducing the budget of the Ministry. The Cultural Development Fund has already lost 83 per cent of its resources, which makes up LE 100 million annually. more >
Video games are 'art' eligible for your tax dollars
One man's Boticelli is another's Duke Nukem Forever. That's the view of the National Endowment for the Arts, which announced this week that "interactive games" will be just one of the new media eligible for federal funding through the NEA's "Arts in Media" program. more >
What Do I Say? Tips for Advocacy Meetings
NASAA staff have conversations year round with state arts agency leaders and their colleague advocates who are preparing for meetings with elected and appointed officials. Jonathan Katz shares with you some of the most common questions they're asked and offers responses. more >
New Director at Conca
Norbert Tomàs was appointed as new director of the National Council for Culture and the Arts (CoNCA), replacing Pep Montes. The appointment has raised some doubts in the cultural sector about the political independence of Conca. Florenci Guntín, one of the promoters for the Visual Artists Association and the Platform for an Arts Council, yesterday said he was outraged by this appointment. more >
Connecting cultures through music
Gilberto Gil is in South Africa this week for a musical project that explores the cultures of the southern people, called Connecting South. more >
Government to launch cultural grants programme
Qatar will launch a cultural grants programme supporting at least 15 initiatives, including projects, organisations and artist development, and research and development. more >
Call for stronger cultural diplomacy and more support for creative industries
The EU needs to add more culture to its diplomatic efforts to promote human rights, democracy and development in third countries, says a resolution passed by Parliament on Thursday. more >
Joint statement of European sectoral social partners "Live performance" ahead of the Culture Council on 19-20 May
On April 28th 2011 the social partners of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee ‘live performance’ agreed to endorse a joint statement ahead of the Culture Council on 19-20 May in relation to the topic ‘mobility information services for artists and culture professionals’. more >
Mongolia and Germany Signs MoU on Arts
The Goethe Institute (GI) and Arts Council of Mongolia (ACM) are signing a Memorandum of Understanding to promote cultural dialogue, understanding, exchanges between Mongolia and Germany for the period of 2011-2013. more >
'Digital diplomacy' to open access to Europe's culture
The European Union should make its diverse cultural content more accessible to people around the world via increased investment in cultural and, in particular, digital diplomacy, says Dutch liberal MEP Marietje Schaake. more >
WIPO negotiators refine texts on traditional knowledge, genetic resources and traditional cultural expressions
Progress in negotiations among WIPO member States and observers at the 18th session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee (the IGC), which met from May 9 to 13, 2011, has resulted – for the first time - in a single negotiating text on each of the three items referred to in its mandate - traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources. more >
Orchestras slowly add racial, ethnic diversity
Although racial and ethnic diversity is increasing in the United States, many orchestras and symphonies across the country still do not represent the communities they play for. more >
Be Professional, Artistes Urged
It is time local artistes adopted a more professional approach if their industry is to flourish, an official from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has said. more >
The State Of The Arts
How to stop our patchwork cultural fabric from ripping at the seams. more >
Melbourne wants to be Indigenous arts capital
Melbourne City Council has set itself a target to become the nation’s premier city for Indigenous arts by staging a new three-day festival next year. more >
Festivals and culture in Korea
Out of more than a thousand festivals celebrated in Korea, 44 ‘Culture & Tour Festivals’ have been selected for 2011 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism based on the festivals’ popularity, organization/management, uniqueness and development potential. more >
Jon Fosse offered artist’s home
Author and playwright Jon Fosse has been offered Norway’s honorary home for artists in Oslo, and has accepted. more >
Astana to host VIII meeting of SCO Culture Ministers
Within Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) the VIII meeting of Culture Ministers of the SCO member states is to be held in Astana on May 19. more >
SIF-BC partnership to bridge communities and share ideas
The Singapore International Foundation (SIF) and the British Council (BC) embark on a milestone partnership today with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cross-cultural understanding between the people of Singapore and the United Kingdom (UK) through arts and cultural exchanges. more >
Manga/Anime/Games in Japanese Government Preservation Plan
Japan's National Diet Library and Agency for Cultural Affairs announced on Thursday that they will work together on a cultural preservation project for materials related to Japanese television and radio programming, music, anime, manga, and video games. more >
Focus on culture and heritage
The Gibraltar Government has published draft legislation to establish the Culture and Heritage Agency. more >
Hungary EU Presidency - Council decides on European Heritage Label
At the 19 May 2011 meeting in Brussels, EU culture ministers reached a political agreement on raising the European Heritage Label to an EU level. more >
Arts Industry Can Contribute to Foreign Exchange - Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday called for the transformation of the arts and crafts industry to boost the country's foreign exchange earnings. more >
Cuba seeks more cultural exchange with Zambia
There is need for more cultural exchange programmes between Zambia and Cuba, according to a visiting Cuban government official. more >
Culture Ministry hosts several events as part of the International Museum Day Celebration
As part of cultural programmes and activities being undertaken by the Ministry of Culture in celebration of the International Museum Day a discussion entitled (Museums and Memory) was organized at Qa’lat Al Bahrain Site Museum. more >
Commission sets out "blueprint" for Intellectual Property Rights to boost creativity and innovation
The IPR Strategy sets out a series of short- and long-term key policy actions in various areas. more >
2011 Arts Education Week Opens its Doors on Monday
To assure a better future for art education, a special event was launched on Monday under the name of "Arts Education Week 2011." more >
Liberians in Ghana sensitized on Liberia’s cultural policy
The first in the series of a national program designed in Ghana to aid government efforts and advocate for the sensitization of the youth and people of Liberia about the country’s arts and culture has ended in Ghana at the Liberian refugee settlement in Ghana. more >
Cultured people happier: study
People who go to museums and concerts or create art or play an instrument are more satisfied with their lives, regardless of how educated or rich they are, according to a new study. more >
Culture Mapping, Planning and Policy (CMPP) Sub-Regional Workshop
More resources and better coordinated approach needed to address culture sector, says former Tuvalu PM. more >
Put Yourself on the Earlyarts Map
Earlyarts has launched a brand new networking tool to raise the profile of creative early years practice across the world. more >
Regional statisticians and cultural officers discuss the need to develop cultural statistics
Speaking at the Inaugural Regional Cultural Statistics Meeting, SPC Deputy Director-General Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu emphasised the importance of cultural statistics, noting that the full development of the cultural sector depends on improved data collection and analysis. more >
The President of Paraguay inaugurates the National Museum of Fine Arts
Fernando Lugo, President of Paraguay, inaugurated today the new installations of the National Museum of Fine Arts, and considered this event a turning point in the country’s cultural history. more >
Presidente paraguayo inaugura Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Lugo señaló que la apertura de la instalación "no sólo es la recuperación de la colección de arte erudito" para el disfrute de las exposiciones de la ciudadanía, sino "también la producción del conocimiento sobre historia de ésta colección". more >
Irish National Opera Company closes down
The new Irish National Opera Company whose formation was announced in 2009 has collapsed without presenting even a single production. Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, whose department was overseeing and funding the project, has formally returned responsibility for opera policy and provision to the Arts Council. more >
Sustaining Growth of Arts, Culture
President Goodluck Jonathan has again acknowledged the talents in Nigerian artists, describing them as remarkable and the best among their contemporaries. In his opening remarks at an exhibition organised by the 2011 Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies Committee, titled Nigeria, Our Nigeria, held on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja, said the world of arts, especially in Nigeria, has created a great opportunity for employment of youths and adults which has translated to improved economic status of Nigeria. more >
Censorship continues to force itself on Egypt's cultural scene
Despite an open attitude by the Minister of Culture with regard to censorship, some government officials still bear the old mindset. more >
Repositioning Bangladesh using soft power
But what is soft power? Soft power is the ability to get what you want, through attraction rather than coercion. It arises from the attractiveness of a country's culture, political ideals and policies. more >
Reconciliation action plan
The House’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) aims to close the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and their fellow Australians by introducing a number of targets across the organisation. more >
Ezz El-Din Shoukry: A new era of change for Egypt’s cultural landscape
Ezz El-Din Shoukry shares his vision and plans for the transformation of the Supreme Council of Culture in a new era. more >
Workshop on Development of Human Resources from Cultural, Artistic Perspective
The workshop aims to provide information about development of Human Resources in the field of culture and art as well as reviewing the current acts concerning cultural activity in the country and discussing the possibility of legislating new acts as well. more >
Art Council of Wales grants funding to project for young art critics
A project which aims to develop and showcase the voices of young people in Bridgend, encouraging them to think critically about the theatre or music productions they produce, has secured funding from the Arts Council of Wales. more >
El arte y la cultura tienen poder para impulsar el crecimiento económico
Convencer a la sociedad del interés de invertir en cultura es prioritario en el contexto actual y el mejor modelo es el de financiación mixta. more >
June 2011
The Strategy for the Development of Cultural Tourism in Bulgaria
This is an abstract of the foreword written by Prof. Pietro Giovanni Guzzo, past Superintendent of the Archaeological sites of Naples and Pompeii, at the delivery to the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture of the final report of the important study "Strategic Plan for the Development of Cultural Tourism in Bulgaria". more >
Fifth of ACE’s funding recipients rated ‘weak’ on finance
Almost a fifth of the organisations in Arts Council England’s new national portfolio were rated as ‘weak’ for financial sustainability, according to figures obtained by The Stage. more >
Call for UK’s government collections to merge
A review is nearing completion on whether the UK needs three separate government collections. Altogether the Government Art Collection (GAC), the British Council collection and the Arts Council collection own nearly 30,000 paintings, works on paper and sculptures. more >
'Shoot first' policy over arts funding
The former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion accused ministers of adopting a "shoot first, aim later" policy towards cutting the arts, singling out Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Arts minister Ed Vaizey. more >
Arts Council chief fits the bill when the going gets tough
INTERVIEW: Pat Moylan is on a mission to show just what the arts can do for the Government. more >
Culture minister wants more incentives for sculptors, painters
The minister of Culture, Rosa Cruz e Silva, Friday in Cabinda, called on public and private institutions to promote encouragements aimed at supporting sculptors and painters, in order to enrich the arts. more >
Egypt to boost cultural ties with Africa
On a parallel note, Egypt's minister of water resources and irrigation, Dr. Hussein Al-Atfy, emphasized that Cairo was opening a new page with all of Africa. Al-Atfy said Egypt wanted to especially achieve integration with its Nile Basin partners, with whom it shares water lifelines, saying that in the spirit of the post-25 January revolution, Egypt would never back away from its African obligations. more >
Culture Ministry sets stage for opera ‘merger’
The Ministry of Culture has announced plans for the ‘merger’ of the National Theater (ND) and Prague State Opera (SOP). more >
Knight worries about art funding
Auckland arts patron James Wallace, who has been made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, is worried about financial support for the arts by upcoming generations of wealthy professionals. more >
New fund to support digital research launched for arts sector
A new £500,000 fund has been launched for cultural organisations to research and develop opportunities offered by digital technology. more >
'We've protected poetry funding' - Arts Council
After Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy led protests against cuts to the Poetry Book Society, Antonia Byatt of Arts Council England writes that the Council has tried to protect spending on poetry. more >
Brault captures spotlight
A biography of Simon Brault, who is vice-chairperson of the Canada Council for the Arts, was recently launched. Simon Brault: Prendre fait et cause pour la culture, by Aurélie Dubois-Prud'homme, Laurence Prud'homme and Laurent Lapierre. more >
Young people’s theatre manifesto gains momentum
Unions Equity and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain have joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in backing a manifesto aimed at ensuring young people have access to drama and theatre. more >
WIPO Director General Announces Rights Registry Project for West African States
WIPO Director General Francis Gurry today announced a project to build a common digital platform which will help streamline the identification of protected musical works across 11 West African countries, helping creators from these countries get paid for their work through a simplified and standardized rights registration system. more >
The author as entrepreneur, and the dangers this poses
The British company Unbound offers a fundraising platform for authors who want to get started on their next book. It is basically a subscription model for the creation of art – something that was popular in previous centuries. more >
Senior Performing Artists: Engaged, Productive and Not Retired
A new study by the Research Center for Arts and Culture (RCAC) at Teachers College, Columbia University, launched today at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, finds that aging artists are models for society – especially as the workforce changes to accommodate multiple careers and baby boomers enter the retirement generation. more >
From Average to Creativity
Cultural Project Management in Romania: Ancuta Vameso, trainer and consultant for donors, local governments and NGOs in Romania and SouthEast Europe, interviewed by Andreea Grecu, a cultural manager based in Bucharest, previously manager of the National Cultural Fund of Romania. more >
Cultural ministry introduces new arts subsidy scheme
The country's cultural ministry said it will try a new subsidy scheme that compensates performance groups based on the number of tickets they sell for their shows. more >
Censors struggle to catch the naughty bits
The rapid evolution of new media has brought manifold opportunities for artists and filmmakers but it also has rendered obsolete Australia's censorship laws. more >
Escuela del espectador permitirá enriquecer apreciación del arte teatral
Diseñada para fortalecer la apreciación del arte teatral en México, la Escuela del espectador llevará a cabo sus siguientes sesiones los lunes 13 y 27 de junio en el Centro Cultural del Bosque (CCB). more >
The Audience School will enrich theatre appreciation
Created to strengthen theatre appreciation in Mexico, the Audience School will carry out its next sessions on Monday 13 and 27 June in Centro Cultural del Bosque (CCB). more >
Professional Certificates to Grant More Dignity to Artists
The Angolan singer José Matias "Mamukweno" said on Friday in Luanda that the creation of professional certificates will grant respect, dignity and appreciation to the artists. more >
Separate culture ministry a pipedream
The provision to set up a separate culture ministry enshrined in the national culture policy approved on December 28 last year is yet to come into effect. more >
Unesco-Breda Validates a Document on Cultural Rights
The National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM) and The Bureau for Education and Development in Africa (BREDA) on 6th of June 2011 held a one day Workshop to validate a study on Cultural Rights in the Gambia at the Paradise Suits Hotel in Kololi. UNESCO- BREDA through the National Commission for NUESCO funded a study on cultural rights in The Gambia. more >
L'introduction de la carte professionnelle va dingifier les artistes
Le musicien angolais José Matias, dit Mamukweno, a déclaré vendredi dernier, à Luanda, qu'avec l'introduction de la carte professionnelle des artistes à l'UNAC va restituer le respect, la dignité et la valorisation de la classe. more >
Irish language theatre - is it time to stage a revival?
While spoken Irish is encouraged in many sectors of society, theatre seems to be lagging behind in staging Irish language productions, but there are hopeful signs for the future. more >
Administration disagrees over merger of Culture Ministry and CHTHO
The administration of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has strongly disapproved of merging the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO), though most MPs are showing interest in the proposal. more >
UN declares Internet access a human right
The UN has declared the Internet a human right. A recent report titled "Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression" declares that Internet access falls under freedom of expression. more >
What's in a rating?
The Ministry of Culture's latest watchdog project is establishing ratings for printed material. We may soon see magazines, newspapers and books being rated and arranged in different zones at bookstores with regard to those ratings. more >
Whither a modern cultural policy for Jamaica?
Cultural and information policy issues in Jamaica have long needed to be straightened out. In the last 20 years, cultural policy worldwide has changed focus from the development of cultural sectors — or the arts — to emphasise the industrialisation of culture and creativity and convergence of technologies and commerce. more >
Intellectual Property and Sustainable Development / Seminar
The seminar (Intellectual Property and Sustainable Development ... Attestation, Recording of The Traditional Knowledge and Styles of Intangible Cultural Expression) will kick off next Sunday at Crowne Plaza Hotel. The three-day seminar is organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in collaboration with the Public Authority of Craft Industries (PACI). more >
Dutoit in Pyongyang to discuss launch of inter-Korean orchestra
In 1999, Daniel Barenboim made waves by establishing an orchestra comprised of youths from Israel and Palestine. Maestro Charles Dutoit is pursuing a similar peace-making project for the divided Koreas and is currently negotiating the launch of an inter-Korean orchestra with North Korean officials, said organizers. more >
Financing of the arts to become increasingly dependent on lottery and gaming revenue
The funding of culture and the arts will become ever more dependent on the lottery and gaming business run by the Finnish lottery operator Veikkaus if the plans set out in the programme of the incoming six-party coalition government come to fruition. more >
Arts must plan further ahead if they want to secure private funding - Michael Kaiser
UK arts organisations must programme further in advance if they want to attract more private sector funding, former Royal Opera House chief executive Michael Kaiser has claimed. more >
Korea to nurture diversity in K-pop
The South Korean government said it will nurture diversity in Korean pop, which is heavily idol-group centered, as part of its strategy to boost the global competitiveness of Korean pop culture. more >
Ai Weiwei released on bail
Artist is freed but still faces charges of "serious economic crimes". more >
Vice minister of culture announces efforts in production of books in Braille
The vice minister of Culture, Cornélio Caley, manifested on Thursday, in Luanda, concern about the absence of literature in Braille, to help materialise various projects. more >
INBA reconoce a personalidades de la danza
El Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes otorgó reconocimientos y medallas a 19 destacadas personalidades que han aportado su talento y huella en la danza mexicana, a través del homenaje 'Una vida en la danza', que se realizó anoche en el Teatro de la Danza, del Centro Cultural del Bosque. more >
INBA pays tribute to Mexico’s important dance figures
The Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes awarded 19 important figures who have shared their talent and have made important contributions to Mexican dance. more >
Building Balkan culture and society
Increased awareness and efforts to preserve and rehabilitate the cultural heritage of South East Europe culminated this week with the launch of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Task Force on Culture and Society, in Cetinje, Montenegro. more >
'Ooga-booga' dancing not on, says Bangarra
It's shows are one of the most recognisable expressions of Australian indigenous culture, and the company is often called on to wave the flag at international events. more >
Workshop held on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is not limited to material manifestations, such as monuments and objects that have been preserved over time. This notion also encompasses living expressions and the traditions that countless groups and communities have inherited from their ancestors and transmit to their descendants, in most cases orally or through written manuscripts. more >
Censors eye ratings system for artworks
The visual arts industry is appalled by a proposal to apply a classification scheme to artworks exhibited in galleries across the nation. more >
Sponsors pull strings to reach for the stars
When corporations back the arts, they want more than just logo promotion. more >
State support for the arts to be overhauled
Literature, dance, theatre and music in Switzerland will benefit from more state support thanks to wide-reaching reform of federal culture policy. more >
Acting the part of an Aussie redneck
A coalition of more than 120 Australian performers has petitioned Minister for the Arts Simon Crean to provide them with laws that will block foreign actors from local roles and ensure job protection for our own theatrical sector. more >
Don't count on grants, Flaherty warns arts groups
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has a warning for cultural institutions that have come to rely on regular government funding: don't count on it. more >
EU Budget proposal 2014-2020
The European Union exists to deliver value added to its 500 million citizens. Announcement given by President Barroso on the Commission's proposals for the 2014-2020 Multi-Annual Financial Framework. more >
Potential loss of annual funding is attack on the arts
Canadian Actors' Equity Association condemns Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's recent statements warning arts institutions to "stay on their toes" on the assumption that grants to cultural institutions and festivals will not be automatically continued. more >
Arts Council seeks to boost arts philanthropy
Details of a £40m fund to boost private giving to the arts - part of a year-old government drive to increase philanthropy in arts and culture - have been unveiled by Arts Council England. more >
Does HK need a 'cultural bureau'? Probably not
Ho Chi-Ping, former secretary for home affairs of the Hong Kong SAR government: Recently, some friends asked me whether Hong Kong should establish a "cultural bureau" to develop and implement culture-related polices. I think I should start with some of my thoughts about culture and cultural policies in Hong Kong. more >
July 2011
Culture policy needs reform
Achieving democratic culture policy in Ukraine requires a number of reforms, President Viktor Yanukovych said at a meeting of the Public Humanitarian Council, according to the Press office of President Viktor Yanukovych. more >
Culture, one of the key priorities for Europe’s future
The we are more campaign welcomes the European Commission’s EU 2014-2020 budget proposal but calls for a balanced support to all cultural actors. more >
Arts sector's funding scheme restructured
The National Arts Council (NAC) is restructuring its funding scheme for the arts sector. The new model will be more robust, giving less developed arts genres a boost. The NAC also responded to calls by practitioners to be more transparent in the way grants are disbursed. more >
Take culture more seriously, Barbados minister says
With Barbados receiving the enviable nod to have its historic Bridgetown and Garrison inscribed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley, is hopeful that heritage and culture will now "be taken a bit more seriously". more >
Progress on national strategy for sector
Work to develop a national strategy for Scotland’s museums and galleries is well underway and has taken another step forward with the establishment of the Museum Strategy Group. more >
Philanthropy provides sweet charity for the arts
Private giving, rather than corporate sponsorship or government funding, is providing an increasing share of arts companies' financial base. more >
ACT plays supporting role at NAF
The Arts and Culture Trust (ACT) will be supporting a valuable initiative that is taking place at this year’s National Arts Festival. more >
Arts sector afraid to offend ethnic and religious minority groups, says Mirza
Munira Mirza, the Mayor of London’s adviser on culture, has warned that the arts sector has become “very nervous” about offending ethnic and religious minority communities, resulting in an era of self-censorship. more >
The cultural agenda
There has been a good measure of recent praise for the role of the arts in Ireland. This renewed sense of their primacy in our society is welcome, though the recognition that the Irish imagination is one of our greatest assets probably has more to do with their reputational value at a time when Ireland’s image as an economy lies in tatters. more >
Bureaucracy is turning Britain into a cultural backwater
Performers from non-European countries are taking Britain off the playlist because border controls are too stringent. more >
Taking arts to children and young people
In the first article of our series on the challenges of working collaboratively across different sectors, we examine how better collaboration is improving children's participation in the arts. more >
Creative Scotland must keep art funding in the frame
It is worth repeating: Scotland is a world-beater right now. Not in football, or rugby, or tennis, or business, or banking – but in contemporary art. The last 20 years have seen some astonishing developments – and achievements – from modern Scottish artists. more >
Children lack basic knowledge of Samoan culture - American Samoa Arts Council
The Director of the American Samoa Arts Council is concerned children lack basic knowledge of Samoan culture and traditions. more >
Dutch government refuses to back down over huge budget cuts
Cultural funding to be slashed by one quarter; performing arts worst hit. more >
House Committee Backs Cut for Cultural Endowments
The full House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday endorsed a subcommittee's recommendation that Congress cut spending for the National Endowment for the Humanities (and the National Endowment for the Arts) in 2012. more >
Cultural evolution and the itch to suppress
With the formation of the new government looming, I can only hope for better, less conservative cultural policies and much, much more educated - not only in the academic sense - authorities. more >
Creative Industries Council holds first meeting
The Creative Industries Council, announced earlier this year as part of the Plan for Growth, has met for the first time today. more >
In the big society, not all art is equal
Guest blog: As the cuts start to bite, what criteria will be used to judge each art form worthy of financial investment, asks Vanessa Bartlett more >
Arts Council to 'speak up for libraries'
The Arts Council has given the first indication of how it intends to approach its forthcoming responsibility for libraries by publishing a review of its strategic goals. more >
Strategic Survey on Culture in Central America
Thank you for taking the time to answer this Strategic Survey that will be one of the key inputs to establish the guidelines of Central America’s Cultural Policy 2011-2013 that will be approved by the Presidents of the Central American Integration System. more >
Consulta estratégica de cultura en Centroamérica
Gracias por dedicar su tiempo a responder esta Consulta Estratégica, que será uno de los insumos principales para el diseño de los lineamientos de la Política Cultural Centroamericana 2011-2013, a ser aprobada por los presidentes del Sistema para la Integración Centroamericana (SICA). more >
Workshop explores business of arts
Various opinions about cinema, performing arts, fine arts, photography and exhibitions in Viet Nam were discussed by cultural experts at a workshop held in Ha Noi yesterday. more >
Acoge el Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia el XVIII Foro de Ministros de Cultura de América Latina y el Caribe
El Foro de Ministros de Cultura y Encargados de Políticas Culturales de América Latina y el Caribe celebrará su 18ª edición los días 21 y 22 de julio de 2011 en Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia. more >
Bolivia’s Plurinational State will Host the 18th Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Ministers of Culture
The Forum of Latin American and Caribbean Ministers of Culture and Policy Makers will celebrate its 18th edition on 21-22 July in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia’s Plurinational State. more >
Ministers should go through cultural orientation – Oba Sonuga
Ministers should undergo a cultural orientation immediately after their appointment. The move would help in national development, it was said. Former Director of Culture, now a monarch, Oba Gbenga Sonuga, said this during a media workshop for arts writers and editors at the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO). more >
Government launches loan scheme for artists
Minister for Culture and Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussein has said that the KP government has launched a loan scheme for the local artists and artisans of the province to promote and preserve their art. more >
Italy’s Luxury Bailout
“Whoever thinks that cutting the culture budget in a country like Italy is the solution doesn’t understand anything,” says Italy’s Minister of Culture Giancarlo Galan. more >
Vietnam, Denmark boost cooperation in culture
The Danish government will continue to cooperate with Vietnam in realising phase 2 of the project “Dialogues between cultural managers and cultural policy makers”, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST). more >
Cultural institutes required to promote culture of reading books
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday urged the cultural institutes to spare no efforts to promote culture of reading books and encourage the youth to make optimum use of libraries. more >
Dutch government to slash culture subsidies
Dutch artists are fearing a loss in cultural diversity as the government prepares to ax some 200 million euros in culture subsidies. Those feeling the pinch the most are in the performing arts in Amsterdam. more >
Korea's Representative Brand of the Global Culture is None Other Than Paik Nam June
The IT Times met with Doh Myung-guk, President of the Korean Society of Culture Industry, who is working day and night to shed new light on Korean cultural art by modernly imagining the art works of the late Paik Nam June - the world famous all-Korean video artist of original excellence, and had a chance to hear about the current activities of the Korean Society of Culture Industry. more >
Ed Vaizey's championing of new art isn't matched by funding
Ed Vaizey, the Minister for Culture, Communi-cations and Creative Industries, has a conscience. He apologised at the private view of hundreds of artworks generated by youngsters involved in the National Art and Design Saturday Clubs for the lack of government cash for artists manque. more >
Azerbaijan to make national culture its tourism ‘fish’
The Ministry of Culture & Tourism estimates the Action Plan for the Year of Tourism (2011) as an additional impetus for the development of the industry. more >
Republic Bank Ltd donated G $1.7M to the Culture Ministry to aid the development of steel pan music
A new program that will empower youths to learn steel pan will commence soon in four regions. more >
When arts journalists gather
The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) quarterly workshop for arts editors and writers, themed ‘Sustaining Nigeria's Democratic Process: The Imperative for the Culture Sector'. more >
Democratisation of power hits the arts
Group consensus may well be a modern scourge but in the arts individual authority is still king. Decisions about what Australians see, hear, watch and listen to are made by a handful of individual tastemakers who are ultimately forced to rely on their own judgment. more >
Cultural diplomacy on Main St. in America
The US State Department, which has long sent American artists abroad as part of its cultural diplomacy efforts, is for the first time launching a sizable program to bring foreign performers here - an initiative administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts. more >
What's Pozible?
Arts Access Australia is very excited to have become a Pozible network collaborator, and to pass on the benefits to our members. Pozible (www.pozible.com.au) is a new crowdfunding platform and community for creative projects and ideas. more >
Bulgaria has much to show in the field of cultural tourism, modern art, says deputy minister
“Bulgaria’s creative industries are in the ascendant, the Bulgarian cinema started producing more movies than before and enters into a new period, in which the attendance is higher, the audience is bigger. In this sense, I hope that the competition for European Capital of Culture will show Bulgaria’s potential in the cultural industry and cultural economy,” the deputy minister said. more >
A New Trend in Culture! Crowd Funding
What if Michelangelo never had had a patron like Medici, and Rembrandt didn't have a sponsor like Uylenburg [ui-len-burg]. As such, a new culture of sponsorship is rising in Korea. Let's take a look at crowd funding in the arts and culture world. more >
Culture council soon
The government plans to draft policies and form a National Culture Council (NCC) for the promotion and preservation of the country’s diverse cultures. more >
Susana Baca appointed Humala’s Culture Minister
Prominent Peruvian singer Susana Baca has been appointed to be the next Minister of Culture by President-elect Ollanta Humala, the incoming government announced by Twitter. more >
Birth of the first observatory of cultural policies in Chile (OPC)
Its mission is to deepen understanding of the cultural sector contribution to the study of national cultural policies and create links with institutions in the international category. more >
Haiti - Culture : «Our culture is our force»
The National Conference of the Culture opened yesterday in Port-au-Prince at the initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC) under the theme "Our culture is our force". more >
Bullfighting saved from the sword as Spain rules it is an artistic discipline
The debate over bullfighting has been reignited in Spain after the government recognised the spectacle as "an artistic discipline and cultural product", delighting enthusiasts but outraging animal rights campaigners. more >
August 2011
First round of technical assistance missions
Following the open calls for application, the City of Buenos Aires, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Seychelles will be the first beneficiaries of technical assistance missions. more >
PM Philip encourages local ownership of festival
In a special meeting with the Festival National Organizing Committee in July, Prime Minister Philip said hosting the Festival is a huge opportunity for Solomon Islands to showcase its unique arts and cultural diversity to the outside world. more >
ABC axes arts division
ABC executives today handed redundancy notices to dozens of staff across the country as it axed its arts division and several programs. more >
FY2012 Legislative Session: Headlines, What's Working for State Arts Agencies
NASAA has just compiled preliminary information on state arts agency (SAA) budgets for fiscal year 2012. more >
Scale of Copyright Issues Exceeds Culture Ministry's Grasp, Says Minister
The Ministry of Culture, currently headed by former Justice Minister Rein Lang, will give up its role administering copyright issues, which Lang said have grown too complex for the institution. more >
SPC develops marketing strategy for Pacific cultural industries
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Human Development Programme (HDP) has appointed tourism and handcraft consultant Jessie McComb to develop a strategy to market Pacific cultural industries to the European Union (EU) and other regions. more >
Arts Issues: Funding the Arts
Like all things excellent, the Arts, artists and artistic endeavors need support to survive and thrive. On an international level, the Arts are supported in a number of different ways with the approaches to funding being influenced greatly by social-political and artistic history. more >
Here, There: Canadian arts funding a buttress against southern neighbors
Canada’s population is concentrated along the border with the United States, which remains its dominant cultural influence. In the 1950s, Canada worried its southern neighbor was overshadowing national culture. To strengthen a unified Canadian identity, it developed a sophisticated system of government support for the arts. more >
Professionalising the Arts
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe says it is time to professionalise the creative industries, by also formalising their operations in order to give them equal market space and considerations. more >
Culture Ministry to build cultural centres
Angolan deputy minister of Culture, Cornélio Caley, Friday, in Luanda said that his sector is planning to build cultural centres in each capital city of the country’s 18 provinces. more >
Musicians 'emotionally blackmailed' into charity gigs
Professional musicians are being "emotionally blackmailed" into working for free at charitable and fundraising events, a trade union has claimed. more >
Cultural policy review
The federal government yesterday released a discussion paper for a national cultural policy, the first since the Keating government's Creative Nation. more >
Simple hand gesture has two countries up in arms
Troops are withdrawing as tensions have eased between Thailand and Cambodia over the disputed ancient hill top temple, Preah Vihear. But a new irritant has emerged that is stirring nationalist sentiment in both countries: ownership of a graceful hand position that is part of traditional dance and shadow plays. more >
Is Irish opera damned to its fate?
Years of hand-wringing and neglect by successive arts ministers and the Arts Council, and the demise of the Irish National Opera company have been nothing short of a disaster for opera in this country. more >
What's your most inspiring cultural experience?
In a contest leading up to the cross-country celebration of the arts held on Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Culture Days is asking Canadians to submit stories about how their lives have been enriched by arts and culture. more >
Young culture minister has far to go
Of the four women in the Yingluck 1 cabinet, Sukumol Khunploem catches my attention most. The 36-year-old minister is the youngest in the 36-member cabinet and also the youngest minister in the history of the eight-year-old Culture Ministry. more >
National Endowment for the Arts Offers Grants to Research Value and Impact of the Arts
The Office of Research and Analysis at the National Endowment for the Arts has announced the availability of grants for research on the value and impact of the U.S. arts sector, at either the individual or community level. more >
When two tribes meet: collaborations between artists and scientists
Science and art are often considered opposites – so what happens when top practitioners in each field collaborate? The results, finds Stuart Jeffries, can be seismic. more >
Craft exhibit opens
The National Crafts Exhibition has been hosted by the Fiji Arts Council since 1982 and supports and encourages local crafts people to promote and sell their wares to the public. more >
Institucionalidad cultural
El SICSUR está desarrollando una encuesta sobre institucionalidad cultural en los diez países que lo integran, donde se indagan sobre el tipo de organismo nacional a cargo de la política cultural, el rango jerárquico que detenta en la estructura gubernamental y los objetivos fundamentales en política cultural. more >
Institutional Models for Culture
SICSUR distributed in 2010 a survey on institutional models for culture in its ten member countries. It asked about the type or national body in charge of cultural policy, its hierarchical rank within its governmental structure and its main cultural policy objectives. more >
Will another paper on cultural policy help?
With the world economy in turmoil and climatic catastrophe imminent, is this really time for something as tooth-achingly nebulous as a national cultural policy discussion paper? more >
Poland EU Presidency - News conference previews European Culture Congress
A news conference highlighting the programme and objectives of the forthcoming European Culture Congress began at the stroke of noon on 22nd August 2011. more >
Tate: tough visa rules harm UK's cultural life
A former employee at Tate Modern has claimed that the gallery is discouraging foreign artists from applying for working visas when visiting for one-off talks and presentations. more >
Culture Ministry recognises importance of book
The Culture Deputy Minister, Cornélio Caley, reaffirmed on Monday in Luanda that the Ministry of Culture recognised the strategic importance of book, promotion of reading, CD and the expansion of the library network in the country. more >
Europe Braces for a Shift in the Arts
Perhaps, as a number of festival and theater directors hypothesized in recent conversations, people turn to art in difficult times. But, as they also soberly acknowledged, there is no doubt that the current crises that beset Europe are going to have a major effect on the arts. more >
Is Lady Gaga a threat to China’s ‘national cultural security’?
100 songs have been put onto an updated Internet blacklist by China’s Ministry of Culture. Music websites must now delete the offending songs by Sept. 15 or face unspecified punishment. more >
Nasa hopes novel mission will take science fiction to new frontiers
A new collaboration is set to pair authors and scientists to produce a series of science-based novels to inspire the explorers and inventors of the future. more >
Culture policy consultations encourage public participation
Citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis are being encouraged to air their opinions and actively contribute to the discussion phase of the drafting of the St. Kitts and Nevis Cultural Policy. more >
IDB Delivers Donations of Art Supplies in Port-au-Prince for Haitian Artists
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) delivered three crates of art materials to Port-au-Prince for the use of Haitian artists affected by the earthquake of January 12, 2010. The materials were collected and purchased by the IDB in Washington, DC, through a campaign called "Colours of Hope in Haiti." more >
BID entrega en Puerto Príncipe donativo de materiales de arte en apoyo a los artistas plásticos haitianos
El Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) hizo entrega de tres huacales llenos de materiales de arte para ayudar a los artistas plásticos haitianos afectados por el terremoto del 12 de enero de 2010. Los materiales fueron recolectados y adquiridos por el BID en Washington D.C., a través de una campaña denominada “Los Colores de la Esperanza de Haití.” more >
La BID fait don de fournitures d'art à Port-au-Prince pour les artistes haïtiens
La Banque interaméricaine de développement (BID) a livré trois caisses de matériel d'art à Port-au-Prince destinées aux artistes haïtiens affectés par le séisme du 12 Janvier 2010. more >
Theatre more popular than sport in Great Britain, survey says
More people in Great Britain attend theatre shows than sports events, according to a new analysis of cultural engagement across Europe. more >
NACZ wants regularisation
All players within the arts and culture sector intending to facilitate arts-related activities must ensure their registration with the National Arts Council is valid, the regulatory body announced in a recent press statement. more >
“The Role of Cultural Industries in Cultural Diversity”: Interview with Serhan Ada following the Istanbul symposium
The conference on ‘The Role of Cultural Industries in Cultural Diversity’ was held in Istanbul last July 12, bringing together about 75 participants from various regions of Turkey, as well as guest speakers from Belgium, Germany and Canada. more >
Future provision of opera
On 29 July the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD wrote to the Arts Council advising that the Council should assume full responsibility for all opera provision and implementation. more >
September 2011
First round of technical assistance missions
Following the open calls for application, the City of Buenos Aires, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Seychelles will be the first beneficiaries of technical assistance missions. more >
Education policies 'risk stifling creativity'
Artistic expression among school pupils is being left to die by the government's education reforms, say leading artists. more >
Brushing up on the practice of gratitude
Nothing wrong with wanting great plays, concerts and books. But I have a sneaking suspicion that we want something more from artists. We expect them to be grateful. more >
China to drop poorly-managed intangible cultural heritage from list
China will set up a system to eliminate poorly-managed intangible cultural heritage, according to a notice issued by the Ministry of Culture on Thursday. more >
October 2011 is Funding for the Arts Month!
Throughout October, the Foundation Center is celebrating Funding for Arts Month! Join the Foundation Center to learn more about arts funding at special events, free classes, and webinars. more >
The play's the thing for investing
With the current volatile state of the stock market, some investors are turning to other forms of investment. For example, most West End theatre productions are funded by angel investors, often investing relatively small amounts such as £500 to £10,000. more >
Poland EU Presidency - Informal Meeting of Ministers for Culture and Audiovisual Affairs
Bogusław Zdrojewski, Minister of Culture and National Heritage, stressed that digitalisation and bringing culture online can generate unprecedented benefits in the spheres of culture, economy, and science. more >
Cultivation and Control: Prospects for 'democracy'
In the first part of the series "Cultivation and Control" Al-Masry Al-Youm examines the historical role of the Culture Ministry in shaping the cultural sphere. more >
Public philanthropy just not a given
Peer leadership is key to painting a new image for public bequests. more >
Business Must Develop Arts - Ncube
One of Zimbabwe's most talented comedians Carl Joshua Ncube has challenged the local business sector to support individual artists. more >
EU extends protection for singers and musicians
The European Union on Monday agreed to extend royalty protection for music performers and producers from 50 years to 70 years. more >
Commentary: Culture wars - Arhinmäki vs. Klinge
Newsflash: in the unlikely event that there are any living souls out there who are still unaware of the fact, let it be known that Minister of Culture and Sport Paavo Arhinmäki (Left Alliance) did not attend the official opening of the new Helsinki Music Centre. more >
Art and culture meet in Wrocław
The event, sponsored by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage and held under the aegis of the Polish EU Presidency, hosted over 100 interdisciplinary projects with over 300 artists under the theme of 'Art for Social Change.' more >
Supreme Court says "no" to MINCULTURE and SOCAM
The Administrative bench of the Supreme Court has declared the Cameroon Music Corporation, CMC as the sole legally recognized institution to collect and manage royalties relating to authors’ and neighboring rights in Cameroon. more >
State centres have amazing stories to tell
As we weigh and discuss the possibilities in articulating a 10-year vision for our country's cultural policy, it is timely to consider the importance and potential of the state capital arts centres to this vision and dialogue. more >
Free NHS dance injuries clinic to open in London next year
Dancers will be able to use the first specialist clinic within the NHS for injuries they sustain at work from next year. more >
Welsh arts council puts refurbishment ahead of new builds
New-build arts venues will be a “rarity” in Wales over the next five years due to tight economic conditions, according to the Arts Council of Wales. more >
Arts, culture and heritage sector's economic challenges and opportunities: Departmental briefing
The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) noted that the Minister and Department had held several meetings to discuss the repositioning of the arts, culture and heritage sector as an economic growth sector, and to introduce programmes that would contribute to employment, in response to Government’s New Growth Path and call for creation of jobs. more >
Consortium Views Arts as Engines of Recovery
In the two years since he became chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Rocco Landesman has been trying to make the case that art is an effective linchpin to economic development. more >
Cabinet Secretary opens Public Consultation on Museums Strategy
Development of a National Strategy for Scotland’s museums and galleries moved into a public consultation phase today, September 16, 2011. more >
Spare arts grants from the cleaver
Canadian cities are taking necessary steps to clean up their balance sheets, with the City of Toronto’s attempt to close a $774-million fiscal gap being the showcase example. But policy-makers should take special pause before undertaking an across-the-board approach that cuts arts grants. more >
Mozart effect? Symphonies in the land of ragas
Just five days ago, the Symphony Orchestra of India turned five. Whether through planning, or sheer serendipity, the concert for the fifth anniversary featured Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Coincidence or not, High Fives were certainly in order, for if any art form struggles to survive in our country, it is western classical music. more >
Iranian Children to read Classics 'Cleaned'
During its initial session, the Committee of Surveillance over Children and Young Adult Books ratified the censorship law of classic literature for children according to which all books of classic literature either rewritten, epitomized, or simplified should be subject to specific expurgation. more >
$1.2bn is music to the ears for funding call
The campaign for public funding for contemporary music is about to ratchet up a notch, with the release today of figures showing small live music venues contribute $1.2 billion a year to the national economy. more >
How we can stand out from all the rest
Where does art start and where does utility end? more >
‘Culture should be fun’: new Minister Choe
Choe Kwang-sik, who took office as new culture minister on Tuesday, said the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports’ policies should be based on the idea that people should play and have fun. more >
High culture goes high tech
The Culture Ministry's new m-culture website preserves national wisdom for future generations. more >
Salute to culture
Preservation and promotion of the Sultanate’s rich traditions and cultural legacy is government’s priority so that the country’s future generations can be aware of and enjoy them, as their forefathers had done since ancient times. more >
Culture a common thread throughout the world
A series presented by China's Ministry of Culture on Chinese arts and culture, titled China: The Art of a Nation, opens in Washington on Wednesday. Before the series begins, the Minister of Culture Cai Wu will deliver a speech on Chinese culture and development at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The following is the full text of the speech. more >
Silence from South African art world following Venice Biennale controversy
Pavilion commissioner is also a gallerist and two of his artists have been selected to represent the country. more >
Cultural Box | virtual video library on cultural management and policy : Spain
Cultural Box is a virtual video library specialised in management and cultural policies devised by the Cultural Policy and Management Program of the University of Barcelona. Its aim is to make a large catalogue of online videos available to professionals in culture. more >
A culture crying out for celebration
Hetti Perkins acknowledges her call for the creation of a national indigenous arts institution is not a new idea. But comments by the indigenous art curator have reignited a debate that has simmered for several years. more >
J. Paul Getty Trust and the Hellenic Republic sign agreement creating framework for cultural cooperation
The agreement builds on principles already established between the Getty and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and strengthens the opportunities for joint scientific research, exchange of cultural objects and the promotion of Greek cultural heritage. The agreement also reconfirms the commitment of both parties to deterring the illicit traffic in antiquities. more >
Pop culture the new soft power tool in East Asia diplomacy
Countries in East Asia are increasingly looking to pop culture, as an instrument of "soft power". And the "soft power" competition is alive and well in East Asia, with not just financial returns at stake, but also as a positive influence in the attitudes of target or importing countries. more >
Copyright changes: how they'll affect users of digital content
Canada has been trying to reform its copyright legislation, which was last updated in 1997, for several years now. There have been four attempts to date to pass amendments that would bring the Copyright Act in line with the digital age — one by the Liberals in 2005 and three by the Conservatives, in 2008, 2010 and, now, in 2011. more >
October 2011
Foreign banks step in to Irish arts scene as domestic funding shrinks
Foreign banks in Ireland are moving into the space occupied by Irish banks by sponsoring more art exhibitions as domestic institutions cut spending to cope with the financial crisis. more >
Cultural policy takes a new direction
Swiss cultural policy has received a boost, with parliament approving a four-year culture budget worth SFr669.5 million ($742 million) on Thursday. The plan is SFr31.6 million more than the budget proposed by the cabinet and will see significant increases in funding for cinema and the protection of heritage and monuments in particular. more >
British Council, Alliance Francaise to Launch EUNIC Cluster
The British Council along with the Alliance Francaise and Goethe-Zentrum/Zimbabwe German Society will tomorrow officially launch a European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) cluster in Harare. more >
Ministry of Culture 2012 budget revealed
Frédéric Mitterand, Minister of Culture and Communication, revealed the 2012 culture budget on Wednesday. The budget has surprisingly increased by 0.9% compared to 2011, resulting in an increase of €7.4m. France is thus fortunate when we compare their budget to the one of United Kingdom and Netherlands, whose total sum is only 0.76% of the total French State budget. more >
A big-thinking cultural policy in the offing
The federal government's national cultural policy has the potential, if there is political will, to radically change Australia's creative landscape. more >
Every chief executive must be chief fundraiser, says MP
Unless charities change their attitude to donors, giving will not increase, Ed Vaizey MP said yesterday. more >
MSG culture ministers meet in Honiara
The second Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Ministers of Art and Culture meeting gets underway in the Solomon Islands capital today. more >
Culture's new impresario
There is a desperate need for funding and fresh views in his department, the new head of the Supreme Council for Culture tells Venus Fouad. more >
Fair play: should gender equality in theatre be mandatory?
Blog: Playwright Julia Pascal wants more women in top arts jobs – and believes it's up to Arts Council England to lead the revolution. more >
Haitham takes part in GCC Culture ministers’ meeting
HH Sayyid Haitham Bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, returned home on Thursday after attending the 17th meeting of the GCC Ministers of Culture in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. more >
The Organization of American States opens a call for proposals for inclusion in the portfolio “The Role of the Arts and Communication Media in Education for Democratic Citizenship”
The Office of Education and Culture of the OAS invites public-sector institutions, private entities and civil society organizations to present proposals of initiatives for inclusion in the portfolio of promising experiences and programs that use the arts and communication media as means of promoting education for democratic citizenship among children and youth. more >
Cuba and Peru sign memorandum for cultural cooperation
Peruvian Deputy Minister of Culture Clemente Vicente Otta and his Cuban counterpart Fernando Rojas signed a memorandum for cooperation to favor the strengthening of relations between both countries, referred to literary publications, technical and academic cooperation between artistic teaching centers, and the promotion of audiovisuals. more >
La Organización de los Estados Americanos abre la convocatoria de propuestas para ser incluidas en el portafolio sobre “El Rol de las Artes y los Medios de Comunicación en la Educación para una Ciudadanía Democrática”
La Oficina de Educación y Cultura de la OEA invita a instituciones del sector público, entidades privadas y organizaciones de la sociedad civil a presentar propuestas de iniciativas para su inclusión en el portafolio de experiencias y programas promisorios, que utilizan las artes y los medios de comunicación con el fin de promover la educación para una ciudadanía democrática entre niños, niñas y jóvenes. more >
Minister defends continued promotion of handicrafts
The minister of Culture, Rosa Cruz e Silva considered on Friday in Luanda that the continued promotion of handicraft fairs will contribute to increase incomes and end poverty in this group of professionals. more >
Asean Should Translate One Identity Into Its Programmes
Malaysia will propose that Asean's one identity be translated into the main programmes of member countries at the Asean Culture Ministers Conference starting Monday. more >
Cayman Islands Represented at 5th Annual World Cultural Summit in Australia
The Cayman National Cultural foundation (CNCF) was invited by the International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies (IFACCA) to attend a world summit held from 2nd to 6th October 2011 in Melbourne, Australia whose theme was 'Creative Intersections.' more >
Minister eyes corporate cash for the arts
Companies will have to be more involved in the arts to make up for the absence of Government funding, Minister for the Arts Jimmy Deenihan has said. more >
Call for Papers: Cultural Trends Special Edition
Establishing an evidence base for the Cultural Olympiad: London 2012 Edited by Dr Beatriz Garcia, Institute of Cultural Capital. more >
Polish Presidency to Have Positive Impact on Culture
Obviously, the Polish Presidency will have positive impact on culture. Our culture is rooted in Mediterranean and Christian culture; the entire 19th century was a time of struggle for Poland to survive, and for Western culture to survive in Poland. more >
Basma El-Husseiny: Big dreams realised, more to come
Over the past eight years, Al-Mawred Al-Thakafy has introduced new dynamics to Egypt’s arts scene; Ahram Online talks to Basma El-Husseiny who has new ideas to revitalise arts and culture in Egypt. more >
Arts Funding Is Supporting A Wealthy, White Audience: Report
Billions of dollars in arts funding is serving a mostly wealthy, white audience that is shrinking while only a small chunk of money goes to emerging art groups that serve poorer communities that are more ethnically diverse, according to a report being released Monday. more >
Cultural funding by government results have been released for 2009-10!
In 2009-10 total government funding for cultural activities was $6,658.1m; an increase of 2% from 2008-09 ($6,525.1m). Funding from state and territory governments accounted for the largest proportion of this total (45% or $3,003.3m), followed by the Australian Government (37% or $2,457.0m) and local governments (18% or $1,197.7m). more >
The next step towards a new National Cultural Policy
Development of a new National Cultural Policy (NCP) is one step closer following the August release of a discussion paper by Minister for the Arts, the Hon Simon Crean. more >
Aleksander Brkić wins 2011 Cultural Policy Research Award
Aleksander Brkić (Serbian, aged 31, University of Arts in Belgrade) is the winner of the 8th Cultural Policy Research Award 2011 (CPRA). more >
Canada Council rolls out Canada’s first Inuktitut app
The Canada Council for the Arts has launched what is believed to be the country’s first Inuktitut-language app for iPads, iPhones, iPod touches and Google Android devices by creating a tool the agency hopes will help attract more Inuit artists to its grant programs. more >
Winner of the 2011 Mark Schuster Prize
The first Mark Schuster Prize, a new prize which aims to recognise the best recently published paper on comparative cultural policies presented by a young researcher, was awarded to Thomas Perrin (France) from PACTE-Grenoble University and IUEE-Barcelona. more >
Never mind the politics
Is it artists or art fairs that are shying away from overtly confrontational work? more >
ASEAN countries welcome China's initiative for 10+1 cultural ministerial meetings
China and ASEAN countries will see closer cultural cooperation, as the two sides made a decision to schedule cultural ministerial meetings at the ongoing 12th Asia Arts Festival in southwest China's Chongqing municipality. more >
Checklist on ethics of cultural property ownership
Considering the complexity of the ethical questions affecting the work of museums today, the Checklist is a tool for two purposes: it sets out the 8 organising principles that shape the detailed articles of the ICOM Code, as well as providing orientation and support in dealing with these complex topics; and it offers a list of contacts for further advice on particular questions. more >
New deputy minister to take culture ‘out of the greenhouse’
Indonesia’s cultural heritage may be eventually lost in the mists of time as the newly inaugurated deputy education and culture minister for cultural affairs, Wiendu Nuryanti, intends to focus on its economic aspects to benefit citizens. more >
China's cultural industry predicted to become a pillar of the economy by 2016: minister
China's Minister of Culture Cai Wu expects value-added output of the cultural industry to account for 5 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016. more >
Call for Papers: The Arts, New Growth Theory and Economic Development
The symposium will bring together researchers to identify how new developments in economic growth theory over the last two decades might inform our understanding about whether arts-related investments play a role in stimulating economic activity at the local, regional, and/or national levels. more >
Mari speaks on arts
National Arts Council Zimbabwe (NACZ) director Elvas Mari has said local artists are among the best in the world. Speaking in an interview with StandardLife&Style, Mari said lack of resources compromised a lot of talent. more >
Ontario Arts Council Board Appoints New Director and CEO
Martha Durdin, Chair of the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) today announced the appointment of Peter Caldwell as Director and CEO of the Ontario Arts Council. He succeeds John Brotman who is retiring after ten years at the council's helm. more >
Arts funding takes centre stage
The debate about the sensitive issue of arts funding has again been thrust into the spotlight in the ongoing discussions spearheaded by the arts funding body, the National Arts Council. more >
Acclaimed playwright objects to Valletta’s cultural capital bid
Internationally acclaimed playwright Brad Fraser joins local artists in questioning whether a country that bans plays and prosecutes writers for ‘obscene’ literature deserves consideration for ‘European Capital of Culture 2018’. more >
If Culture Ministry’s budget is decreased, I will resign, says minister
Bulgaria’s Minister of Culture Vezhdi Rashidov wants bigger budget for the ministry in 2012 because of the reform in the institution. more >
APJACM - Call for Papers for 2012
We aim to publish two volumes annually: one an open edition and the other with a specific theme. In 2012 that theme is the management of arts and cultural collaborative projects across countries in the Asia-Pacific region. more >
Could this really be the beginning of a new cultural revolution in China?
Pledges to raise tractor output have been replaced by policies to boost the cultural sector. more >
Founders of Public Buildings Must Spend 1% on Art
The new law, under which at least 1 percent of the construction budget of public buildings must be allocated for the commissioning of artwork, has created confusion among some establishments. more >
Miss Cultural Heritage embarks on national tour
Miss Cultural Heritage, Bonsile Dlamini is embarking on a national tour. Dlamini will visit all four regions and Tinkhundla centres on an cultural education tour to promote participation in cultural ceremonies. more >
China steps up support for culture industry
China is trying to increase the contribution of culture sector to the national economy while its leadership prioritized cultural development at a key session this month. more >
Government to open cultural centers abroad
As part of its international cultural diplomacy, Indonesia will open cultural centers abroad, with Japan and the Netherlands already on the list. more >
IDB Cultural Centre launches call for proposals for small-scale projects
The Cultural Centre of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has launched a call for proposals from arts and cultural institutions to fund small-scale cultural development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean through its grant program. more >
Centro Cultural do BID lança convocatória para financiar projetos em pequena escala
O Centro Cultural do Banco Interamericano de Desenvolvimento (BID) lançou uma convocatória para financiar pequenos projetos de desenvolvimento cultural na América Latina e no Caribe através do seu programa de concessão. more >
Centro Cultural del BID lanza convocatoria para propuestas de proyectos culturales de pequeña escala
El Centro Cultural del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) lanza la convocatoria del Programa de Desarrollo Cultural-2012 para evaluar propuestas de instituciones artísticas y culturales con el fin de financiar parcialmente pequeños proyectos de desarrollo cultural en América Latina y el Caribe. more >
November 2011
Arts Council calls halt to new English galleries
ACE outlines plan for investing £440m of mostly lottery money in 2011-15 on 'strategic funding', with focus on existing facilities. more >
Culture minister, puppeteers discuss theatre
The minister of culture and tourism said that theatre had been developing in Azerbaijan during its 20 years of independence. more >
57,000 artists to be insured against accidents
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said about 57,000 South Korean performing artists will benefit from industrial accident insurance, just as employees in other industries do. more >
To sir, with love: Opera House is just a click away
Students and teachers won’t necessarily have to travel to Bennelong Point to engage with the Opera House next year. In what Opera House CEO Richard Evans describes as an “exciting expansion” of the House:Ed program, the Opera House will offer arts and educational experiences not only onsite at the World Heritage-listed icon but also online and offsite at Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast. more >
Minister of Culture praises cultural role of private sector organizations
Minister of Culture Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa praised the role of the private sector's organizations and circles in boosting cultural vision and effective participation in developing products as these bodies adopt an integral role establishing cultural infrastructure and in the Ministry's various construction projects. more >
Culture Minister Plans to Restrict Libraries' Freedom
Minister of Culture Rein Lang is planning to limit the range of books, as well as the speed of freshly-published literature, appearing on the shelves of public libraries. more >
Forum crosses cultural borders
The second EU-China High-Level Cultural Forum was staged at Beijing's National Museum of China recently. more >
Measuring the impact of cultural policies
Cultural policymakers are increasingly coveting ‘hard’ evidence, requiring cultural organisations to report against performance indicators and asking grant recipients to demonstrate their projects’ impacts. But is there a simple way to measure the impact of a country’s cultural policies overall, at a general, or ‘macro’, level? This article explores one way of doing this using data from Australia and New Zealand. more >
Smart Power & Postmodern Art
It’s the latest strategic move from the State Department: smART Power. A two-year, $1 million pilot program, smART Power will field a different kind of American “diplomat” — a cadre of élite artists. more >
National Opera raps invite to Arhinmäki
The Finnish National Opera is trying unorthodox methods to appeal to new audiences. In a bid to attract a visit from Minister of Culture and Sport Paavo Arhinmäki, opera workers including conductor Leif Segerstam and ballerina Minna Tervamäki composed and performed a rap about opera’s charms. more >
Curating cultural heritage
A survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage shows that not many Qatari parents are keen on passing on the oral history of their forefathers and that of their culture and traditions to their offspring. more >
Reviving Revolution: The role of art in an uncertain Egypt
The Revolution Artists Union (RAU) was founded by 21 artists during the 18-day sit-in that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak. The artists declare that they are seeking an “ongoing cultural revolution.” more >
UAE new member on Unesco board
The UAE's election to the board of the UN educational, scientific and cultural agency is recognition of the respect the country has gained for its international efforts in a variety of fields, academics said yesterday. more >
Arts, Culture Practitioners Push for a Viable Policy
The Government has been urged to commit adequate technical and financial support to the creative industries, which contribute to the country's Gross Domestic Product, arts and cultural experts have said. more >
Ten of the eleven members of the Arts Council of Catalonia have resigned
Ten of the eleven members of the Arts Council of Catalonia have resigned due to differences with the Department of Culture of the Regional Government of Catalonia. The resigned members will work in the organisation until their resignation is approved by the Catalan parliament. more >
Academics, policy-makers, artists and students addressed the Future in Helsinki
ENCATC, the leading European network on cultural management and cultural policy education, held its 19th Annual Conference and General Assembly on 12 -14 in Helsinki, Finland. more >
Call for applications for technical assistance missions: Strengthening the Governance of Culture in Developing Countries
UNESCO launches a new international call for applications for technical assistance missions in the framework of a project funded by the European Union (EU), aiming to strengthen the system of governance for culture in developing countries. more >
Armenian culture minister: US funding withdrawal will not hinder UNESCO work
Armenian Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Hasmik Poghosyan said Thursday that the United States' decision to stop contributing to the UNESCO budget following the organization's recognition of Palestine, will not affect its work negatively. more >
Private sector fundraising “not enough”, warn arts bodies
One-third of arts organisations believe it will take until 2015 to recoup losses in public subsidy through other sources of income, new research has revealed. more >
Robert Sirman keeps it analog
"The GGLA winners will be announced on Nov. 15 and I am doing my best to dip into as many of the short-listed books as possible " more >
Call for cultural diversity
Cultural activists, cultural workers, researchers and policymakers from Mali and Algeria to Singapore, and Limpopo to Cape Town, gathered in Joburg recently for the much-anticipated Diversity Conference. more >
Minister calls for deeper research on traditional culture
The minister of Culture, Rosa Cruz e Silva Thursday in Luanda told the new generation of researchers to follow the examples set by old fellow-researchers like Óscar Ribas and Jorge Macedo, concerning the discovery of more facts of the country’s traditional culture. more >
Mapping New Media in Pakistan
The study offers an insight at what is happening in the area of new media in Pakistan. Who are the people? Who are the organizations and groups involved? How have they gotten there? What are the similarities and differences in the new sectors? The focus is not on ‘new media art’ but on ‘new media technologies‘, their contexts and consequences. more >
UNESCO General Conference Adopts Seoul Agenda
The Seoul Agenda: Goals for the Development of Arts Education was unanimously adopted by UNESCO Member States at the 36th Session of the General Conference, held at UNESCO headquarters on November 4, 2011, Friday evening (in Paris local time). more >
LA takes baton as flagship for youth orchestras
With Gustavo Dudamel at the forefront, Los Angeles has emerged as the national flagship of the U.S. version of the System, El Sistema U.S.A, which in just four years has grown to encompass programs in more than 50 cities. more >
Legislation needed for more active commercialization of traditional culture
Korean traditional heritage has served as a useful source for adding diversity to “hallyu” or the Korean wave. more >
Why re.volution, and a theory of change as we set off
Mark Robinson: Here’s our ‘theory of change’ in summary: ‘A peer learning network of leaders in the arts and cultural sector can develop the confidence, competencies, qualities and attributes needed to renew mission, reconfigure business model and revise approaches to money. more >
President receives Culture Minister
The Kazakh President has received the Minister of Culture. Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed informed the President about the work done as part of grand preparations for the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Independence, as well as the status and prospects of national culture’s development. more >
Mercosur Culture Network meets in Asunción
The Board Meetin and Annual Assembly of the Mercosur Culture Network was held on 18 and 19 November in Asuncion, Paraguay. more >
Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality and Ministry of Culture present first accessible multimedia museum guide for people with disabilities
At the Sorolla Museum in Madrid on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality (through the Royal Trust for Disabilities) and the Ministry of Culture presented the first universally accessible multimedia guide. more >
Lorenzo Ornaghi Named New Italian Culture Czar in Government Shakeup
New Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti on Wednesday named Lorenzo Ornaghi, a figure with strong ties to the Vatican but limited connections to film or television, as the country’s new Minister of Culture. more >
National dance festival from November 23
Guru Gopinath Natanagramam, under the Department of Cultural Affairs, will organise Natyotsav 2011, a national dance festival, at the Nishagandhi auditorium here from November 23 to 27. more >
Follow the money to see arts benefits
This week the Arts Council launched an updated report on the economic impact of the arts. While it is important to set out the nature and extent of such an impact, the case for public funding of the arts in Ireland can never be related to this alone. more >
Culture important for arts, society to flourish
Culture is important in sustaining a feasible climate for arts and society to flourish, said author Nayantara Sahgal at the Hay Festival Kerara. more >
Egypt's culture minister quits over Tahrir clashes
Egyptian Minister of Culture Emad Abu Ghazi tendered his resignation on Sunday to protest the handling of ongoing clashes between security forces and protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square by the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and the SCAF-appointed government. more >
Asean arts, culture must be cherished
The recently signed Asean Declaration on Cultural Diversity: Towards Strengthening Asean Community, is an important document as it recognises the right for citizens of the region to conserve their cultural and artistic heritage, Brunei's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports said at the 19th Asean Summit and Related Summits in Bali, Indonesia. more >
Journalism's poor city cousin
Much has been said about the national broadcaster shirking its charter responsibilities to Australian culture, but the problem goes further than simple scheduling changes. It points to a more general disregard, across the media, for serious journalistic coverage of the arts and culture. more >
Creative Europe: support programme for Europe's cultural and creative sectors from 2014
Creative Europe is the new EU programme dedicated to the cultural and creative sectors, proposed by the European Commission on 23 November 2011. that will run from 2014 to 2020. The proposal is now under discussion by the Council of EU Ministers and the European Parliament. more >
Govt steps up arts censorship
Zimbabwean artists were startled recently after a senior government representative told them the state would subject artworks to even further censorship. more >
Ministry to give greater support to developing cultural industrial zones in China
The Ministry of Culture (MOC) has pledged to give the development of the country's fledgling cultural industrial parks a stronger push in terms of guidance, management, finance and service. more >
Creative Europe: Commission unveils plan to boost cultural and creative sectors
Thousands of people working in cinema, TV, culture, music, performing arts, heritage and related areas would benefit from increased EU support under the new 'Creative Europe' programme unveiled by the European Commission today. more >
Nouveau projet éducatif visant à susciter l’action sociale par la rencontre d’élèves avec des auteurs canadiens
Par le biais de son programme Imagineaction, la Fédération canadienne des enseignantes et des enseignants (FCE), en partenariat avec le Conseil des Arts du Canada, la Commission canadienne pour l’UNESCO (CCU), la Commission du droit de prêt public (CDPP), et Indigo, Livres & Musique, lance « Écoute, je lis ». more >
New educational initiative aims to ignite social action by connecting Canadian students, authors and books
Through its Imagineaction program, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) is partnering with the Canada Council for the Arts, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCU), the Public Lending Right Commission (PLRC) and Indigo Books and Music to launch a project called Listen, I read. more >
National music plan unveiled with an ensemble of cuts
Gove announces radical shakeup in children's music education – to the tune of vastly reduced funding. more >
Stride complains about ‘creative industries’ tag
Farnham Maltings director Gavin Stride has claimed that the term “creative industries” does the arts sector a disservice, claiming that it makes theatre into a commodity. more >
Prince Charles to rescue arts body from the axe
The Prince of Wales has intervened in a growing row over arts funding by taking the doomed sponsorship charity Arts & Business under his wing. A&B was partly funded by the Arts Council but lost its grant earlier this year and was preparing to close. more >
Dutch foundation for Literature appoints new director
The Dutch Foundation for Literature has appointed a new director, Pieter Steinz. more >
ECOWAS calls for vibrant creative cultural industry for regional economic gains
The ECOWAS Commission is urging member states to develop the region’s creative cultural industries for greater economic gains towards improving the living standards of the people. more >
Chile’s artists protest cultural funding cuts
Artists, musicians, filmmakers and actors gathered at the La Moneda government palace Monday to present a letter protesting Chile’s government budget proposal to cut funding to the arts and reduce classroom hours for art and music in public schools nationwide. more >
Central America and the Caribbean promote a common cultural agenda
The 16thMeeting of the Councilof Ministers andHigh Authorities of CultureSICACentral(CECC/ SICA) was held on 30 November 2011 withrepresentatives of Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaraguaand Panama.The central themeof the meeting wasthe development of a common cultural agendafor the region.more >
National Endowment for the Arts forms federal task force on arts research
The NEA announced Wednesday it will lead a new task force of federal departments to examine and encourage research on the impact of the arts at all stages of life. more >
December 2011
Free museums: Visits more than double
Government-sponsored museums that have stopped charging since 2001 have seen combined visitor rates more than double in the past decade, figures show. more >
Province Supports Arts Sector with New Legislation to establish Arts Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia recognizes the role that arts and culture play in making Nova Scotia communities vibrant. Legislation introduced today, Dec. 1, will establish Arts Nova Scotia and formalize the structure and mandate of the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council. more >
Championing the arts
When the Arts Council was established 60 years ago this month, the State was in the first stages of an economic meltdown that was to cast a shadow over the 1950s. more >
Argentina receives the presidency of Mercosur Cultural
Argentina received the presidency of Mercosur Cultural during the 33th Meeting of Ministers in Uruguay. Between 28 and 30 November, officials of the region met in Uruguay to discuss the cultural agenda of Mercosur. Argentina will hold the presidency during the next six months. more >
Arts Council gets significant ‘return on investment’ in nonprofit arts groups
The Kentucky Arts Council’s investment of $1.7 million in operational support for nonprofit arts organizations in Kentucky produced significant returns in tax revenues, jobs, education services and tourism development, according to its first Public Value Report. more >
'Social funding' helps artists make dreams come true
Artists and creators without any sponsorship now have more chances of realizing their projects as social networking has made it easier for them to solicit funds from individuals interested in their work. more >
UNASUR debate on culture
The Ministerial Meeting of the South American Councilof Education,Culture, Science, Technologyand Innovation (COSECCTI) was held on 6 and 7 December in Quito, Ecuador. The meeting included three working groups on cultural policy issues. more >
Creative industries fund out next year in Macau
The long-awaited fund for the development of cultural and creative industries will be created next year, the secretary for Social Affairs and Culture told lawmakers on Friday during the second day of debate over his 2012 Policy Address. more >
How healthy is the arts sector?
New Arts Index launched to provide an annual health check on the arts measuring everything from financial investment to audience numbers. more >
Economics speaks louder than words when making the case for UK culture
John Tusa's call for a unique language for the arts may limit the sector's ability to engage with Whitehall, argues Dave O'Brien more >
Scots-Chinese cultural agreement
A Memorandum of Understanding on Culture between China and Scotland has been signed today, committing the governments in Beijing and Edinburgh to supporting greater exchange and collaboration across the arts, creative industries, heritage and national collections - one of three major cultural agreements sealing links between the two nations. more >
Seminar on Culture and Employment in West Africa
The aim of the seminar was to support the initiative of the Senegal's Ministry of Culture, Gender and Quality of Life, which is currently designing a draft bill on the status of artists and cultural professionals and the social security systems. more >
What do you think?
A survey question from the Compendium of Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe: Since religious issues and sports are sometimes important in cultural policy contexts, do you think the Compendium structure should be amended to reflect these issues? more >
Armenia elected Deputy Chairman of UNESCO Committee Bureau
Armenia has been elected Deputy Chairman of the Bureau of UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, the press office of the Ministry of Culture reported. more >
The culture minister need not be an artist, but Czechs don’t need another Besser
Dentist turned politician Jiří Besser (TOP 09) tried to bring order to the culture ministry, but couldn’t keep his own books clean. more >
Speech: Androulla Vassiliou Member of the European Commission responsible for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth
Presentation of ‘Erasmus for All’ and ‘Creative Europe’ Annual meeting of the German Länder Education and Culture Ministers Berlin. more >
Getting In On the Act: How Arts Groups are Creating Opportunities for Active Participation
This study draws insights from more than 100 nonprofit arts groups and other experts in the U.S., U.K. and Australia. The report presents a new model for understanding levels of arts engagement as well as case studies of participatory arts in practice. more >
Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers to convene its 7th session
The Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers will hold its 7th session in Algiers on 18-19 December 2011, on the theme of 'Towards Consolidating the Outcome of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures and Enhancing the Youth's Role in Building a Culture of Peace and Dialogue'. more >
Droit de suite bill introduced in US Congress
Legislation would see artists and museums split a royalty fee of 7% for auction resales over $10,000. more >
UN-backed international centre for women in arts to open in Jordan
The “genius of women artists from around the world” will be the main focus of the United Nations-backed International Centre for Women Artists (ICWA), a museum and arts education project that will open in Jordan next year. more >
All set for Arts Council election today
After a hectic campaign over a couple of weeks ending on Friday night, almost 5,000 eligible voters of the Arts Council of Pakistan are set to use their right to franchise to elect a 17-member body that will represent them for the year 2012. more >
ISESCO launches fund for backing UNESCO''s pro-Palestine activities
The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) decided to launch a fund for backing up the UNESCO activities supportive of the Palestine cause, ISESCO's Director General Abdulaziz Altwaijri announced here on Saturday. more >
Culture vultures to swoop on city for global summit
Government ministers from across the globe are set to gather in Edinburgh next summer for the first ever International Culture Summit. more >
New budget plan cuts NEA and NEH 5.6% but boosts Smithsonian
The National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities each will see a 5.6% budget reduction in fiscal 2012 under a spending bill passed Friday in the House that's expected to prevent a feared government shutdown. more >
Why are Britain's great art houses in bed with Big Oil?
It's wrong that sponsorship deals give corporate monoliths such a presence in our cathedrals of democracy. more >
First female secretary general of Supreme Council of Culture, Camilla Sobhy
Experienced literature professor Camilia Sobhy, who received a French knighthood for Art and Culture, is to oversee the council's reshuffle. more >
Shake-up for arts funding council
The Australia Council for the Arts, the federal government's arts funding and advisory body, is getting its first shake-up in almost 30 years. Federal Arts Minister Simon Crean yesterday announced an independent review of the council before the release of a national cultural policy. more >
7th Conference of OIC Culture and Information Ministers Concluded in Algiers
The 7th Conference of Ministers of Culture and Information of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) concluded its works here yesterday. more >
El Ministerio de Cultura se integra con Educación y Deportes en el nuevo gobierno de Rajoy
Volverá a estar unificado con Eduación y Deportes con José Ignacio Wert al frente. more >
The Ministry of Culture Education and Sport integrates the new government Rajoy
Culture, again to be unified with Sports and Eduación, with José Ignacio Wert at the helm. more >
European Union proposes world's largest ever cultural funding programme
The proposal has received a mixed response from key cultural commentators, with some saying that banking on culture and the arts to help prop up EU member states and stimulate the economy is unlikely to work. more >
An education in funding Arab arts
Time was, artists and arts administrators in this country wished that Lebanon were more European. Standards vary from state to state but, historically, Western European governments have demonstrated a degree of financial and institutional commitment to art and cultural production that the managers of Lebanon’s meager state had no means, and little interest, to emulate. more >
New Spanish Minister Cracks Down on Piracy
In his first appearance as Minister of Culture and Education, Jose Ignacio Wert made it very clear he intends to fight Spain's rampant piracy and to step away from a subsidy-based model of film financing. more >
Funding for museums and galleries
Support of more than £1 million for Scotland's museums and galleries has been announced. more >
Ministry to start massive cultural project
The Education and Culture Ministry plans to set up a massive database on local cultures starting next year. more >
Exit 2011, Year of Culture
The end is drawing near for the year that was brought to us by an alien in a flying saucer, hovering over the Estonia Concert Hall last New Year's. It has been the year that, if it didn't invent culture, at least took every opportunity to make us conscious of it. more >
The Minister of Culture has proceeded to 4 new installations
Pierre Raymond Dumas, the Minister of Culture and Communication has proceeded, this Thursday, December 29, to several installations of officials, including the new Secretary of State for Heritage. more >
S. Korea bolsters efforts to boost wave of culture
Amid rising global interest in South Korean pop culture, known as the Korean Wave or hallyu, the South Korean government will step up its efforts to keep this wave rolling, the culture ministry said Thursday. more >
Cuban Culture Minister Predicts 2012 Year of Work, Challenge
Cuban Minister of Culture Abel Prieto said that the Cuban people will only achieve good results if they work hard and put the creative work as a priority and a real source of wealth. more >
Independent ministry of culture suggested
Participants of the 2nd Saudi Literary Forum recommended the formation of an independent ministry of culture that takes care of literature, folk culture, children’s culture, book fairs, plastic arts, Arabic calligraphy, theater, arts, music, heritage, photography, sculpture, cinema and innovation. more >
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