National Arts Agency News in 2002
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News from national government agencies that support the arts. Subscribe to our newsletter, ACORNS. To feature your national agency’s news please email us.
January 2002
New NEA Chairman, Michael P. Hammond
On Thursday, December 20 the United States Senate voted unanimously to confirm Michael P. Hammond as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. more >
Arts Council of England 2001 Review
The Arts Council of England's annual review for 2001 is now available. more >
Canada Council announces plans for new funding
The Canada Council for the Arts recently announced its plans for the distribution of $75 million in new funding over the next three years. more >
11th September's impact on the Cultural Sector
In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the nonprofit cultural sector throughout the entire nation is experiencing a multitude of short term, mid-range, and long-term effects that seriously undermine the vitality of the American artist and arts organization. by Daniel Beattie, National Endowment for the Arts [The following report was distributed to the National Council on the Arts, November 2001] more >
NEA awards $19,432,000 in 819 new grants
The National Endowment for the Arts has announced $19,432,000 awarded through 819 grants. more >
Free admission to museums and galleries 'a spectacular success'
The introduction of free admission to national museums and galleries has been an enormous popular success, says Tessa Jowell, UK Culture Secretary. more >
Modernising of regional museum sector in England
A number of new regional museum 'hubs', acting as flagships for the UK museums community, will be chosen over the next few months as part of a £10 million boost. more >
ARCO 2002 to have Australian focus
Australia is to be the focus country at the upcoming ARCO (Arte Contemporaneo) international contemporary art fair, in Madrid in February. more >
APAM draws delegates
The Australia Council's fifth Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) will draw a record number of first-time attendees this year, on top of the hundreds of return visits. more >
New research demonstrates strength of crafts businesses in Scotland
Independent research just published by the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, confirms the contribution of crafts businesses to Scotland's economy and creative industries. more >
Creative NZ to launch 'Maori Made Mark'
New Zealand's national arts funding and development agency will launch the 'Maori Made Mark', a trade mark recognising the authenticity and quality of artworks created by the nation's indigenous Maori people, at the Auckland Art Gallery (Toi o Tamaki) on 8 February. more >
Botswana to release a new national cultural policy
The parliament of Botswana recently passed a draft 'National Cultural Policy', prepared by the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, the Department of Culture and Youth and the Botswana National Cultural Council, in March 2001. more >
Cayfest in April
The Cayman Islands is set to hold its national arts festival,'Cayfest' - produced by the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, and funded by the Ministry of Culture - from 1 to 13 April. more >
NEA Chairman dies
The new Chairman of the United States’ National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), who only came to office on 22 January, has suddenly died. more >
February 2002
National Arts Month underway in the Philippines
National Arts Month in the Philippines was launched by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) last Friday, 1 February, with a program inspired by traditional dayanas, or marching bands, that perform around the community at dawn to signal the start of a fiesta. more >
NZ and Australia collaborate to sell arts of region
Creative New Zealand is working collaboratively with its partner across the Tasman Sea, the Australia Council for the Arts, to market arts product from the Pacific region internationally, according to a news report in Creative's quarterly magazine, On Arts. more >
Cayman Islands begins work on cultural policy
The Cayman Islands' Culture Ministry is beginning work on the nation's first cultural policy document. more >
News from England's Regional Arts Boards
Recent news from England's ten Regional Arts Boards, which are currently in a process of transfer to a new organisation also encompassing the Arts Council of England (ACE). more >
Canada's Art Bank celebrates 30 years
The Canada Council's Art Bank, which rents contemporary Canadian art to government and private sector organisations nationwide, is celebrating its 30th anniversary of operation this year. more >
Maori Made Mark launched
Creative New Zealand's 'Toi Iho' Maori Made Mark, a registered trade mark denoting quality and authenticity for the nation's indigenous creators, was launched last week at the Auckland Art Gallery, Toi o Tämaki. more >
Creative NZ welcomes 'innovation strategy'
National arts development agency Creative New Zealand has welcomed the New Zealand Government's recognition of the creative industries in its latest innovation strategy. more >
Museum of Belize opens
The new Museum of Belize in Belize City was opened by the South American republic's Prime Minister, Said Musa, earlier this month, in a celebration attended by Caribbean and Central American leaders, prominent Belizeans and the Ambassador of Taiwan, Charles Tsai. more >
New Vice Chair for Scottish Arts Council
Scottish Arts Council announced its new Vice Chair, Dale Idiens, in late January. more >
Scottish Arts Council announces funding
The UK's National Lottery Fund has awarded grants worth more than GB£6 million to various community projects, the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) announced recently. more >
Cultural tourism – music to the ears in Scotland
A new report by the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) and Visit Scotland, 'Soundtrack for Scottish Tourism', shows that traditional musicians can give a boost to the tourist experience, while simultaneously benefiting a resurgence of interest in authentic local music. more >
Australia Council funding announced
Australia's national arts funding body, the Australia Council, has recently announced almost AUS$4 million in funding for visual arts and craft, community cultural development and literature. more >
NEA likely to get small funding increase
The US National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has been offered an increase of US$2 million in President George W Bush's proposed budget, recently presented to Congress, bringing the organisation's total to $117 million for the fiscal year of 2003. more >
New award to support emerging Irish architects
The Arts Council of Ireland has joined forces with the Office of Public Works to offer a major new award in architecture. more >
Singapore provides a different kind of arts space
The National Arts Council of Singapore has taken over ten shopfronts along a major road, in its latest move to provide space to arts groups at subsidised rental. more >
Arts funding announced in England
The Arts Council of England, along with Regional Arts Boards in the north of the country, have recently announced funding to theatre and dance practitioners. more >
HKADC announces new council members
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) recently announced its new membership, including Chair and Vice-Chair, appointed from 2002 until 2005. more >
Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs' Head calls for 'cultural volunteerism'
Hayao Kawai, the 74 year-old clinical psychologist who now heads the Japanese national government's Agency for Cultural Affairs, has announced a new newsletter to encourage the populace to engage in 'cultural volunteerism'. more >
Australia Council excited by ARCO results
Dr Terry Cutler, Chair of the Australia Council, believes that the gains from Australia's recent presentation at the 'Arte Contemporaneo' (ARCO) Fair in Madrid wil be far-reaching and long-term. more >
March 2002
ACE announces Friendship Festival cultural program
The Arts Council of England (ACE) has announced the program for the arts and culture strand of the Spirit of Friendship Festival, being held in the lead-up to this year's Commonwealth Games in Manchester. more >
Australia Council news
The Australia Council recently released its February 2002 newsletter, which details progress in a number of areas, including: a youth policy, recommendations from the Regional Panel, and the Federal Government's Contemporary Visual Arts and Craft Inquiry. more >
South Africa announces new writers' grants
The National Arts Council of South Africa has announced a new literature initiative in the form of ten grants, each worth R40,000, to assist in the development of new creative works by South African writers. more >
Australian CCD website launched
Australia Council Chair Terry Cutler has launched a new website aimed at community cultural development workers nationwide. more >
England's new arts council coming to life
The drawn-out merger of the Arts Council of England (ACE) with the country's ten Regional Arts Boards (RABs), has reached a new stage, with nominations being called for National Council Members. more >
Literary VIPs visit Australia
The Australia Council is this week hosting nine publishers and literary agents from Europe, the UK and USA, as part of its Visiting International Publishers (VIP) program. more >
UK West Midlands to get new arts complex
England's West Midlands Regional Arts Board (RAB) has secured GB£17.4 million in Lottery funding to assist with the construction of a new flagship arts complex for the region. more >
Fighting back over the Maori Made Mark
Creative New Zealand this week published a return salvo to its critics over the recently launched Maori Made Mark, a registered trade mark designed to distinguish genuine artworks created by the islands' indigenous population from cheap imported fakes. more >
How to marry contemporary and indigenous arts - the Ilonggo experiment
Late last year in the Phillipines' second oldest city, Iloilo, a defunct indigenous cultural festival was resurrected. The 2001 Ilonggo Arts Festival might have been concerned with ancient and indigenous culture but the methods it used to expose that culture were distinctly contemporary. more >
NAC asks young Singaporeans to tell the story
Singapore's National Arts Council (NAC) is running an innovative animation competition in collaboration with Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), with the aim of encouraging young people to apply their creativity to what is often perceived as the 'dull' area of information technology. more >
Creative publishing in Scotland rewarded
Four Scottish publishing companies have been awarded almost GB£100,000 by the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Enterprise, through the Creative Industries Company Development Scheme, which was established to help enterprising and ambitious companies expand. more >
Creative New Zealand news
Literary and visual arts snippets from Creative New Zealand. more >
Review highlights vital role of literary magazines
A recent review of Scottish literary magazines funded by the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has commended their capacity to motivate and provide opportunities for emerging writers, as well as promoting critical debate. more >
Bursaries for Scottish writers
Scottish Arts Council recently awarded bursaries amounting to GB£40,000 to 12 writers, designed to allow them more time to devote to their writing. more >
Inclusion of 'cultural well-being' urged in Local Government
Creative New Zealand is urging the inclusion of 'cultural well-being' as a concept within the nation's Local Government Act. more >
Tips for Doreen
Following a trend set by the South African Broadcasting Corporation in its 'Tips for Trevor' campaign, which sought advice from the public regarding the budget for the Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, the National Arts Council's CEO, Doreen Nteta, has invited stakeholders and other interested parties to participate in her 'Tips for Doreen' campaign. more >
International buyers 'go wild' over New Zealand work
International producers, festival directors and venue managers 'went wild' over performances from three New Zealand performing arts companies featured at the recent fifth International Australian Performing Arts Market in Adelaide, according to Australian festival director Robyn Archer. more >
Visual and media artists lauded
The winners of the third annual Governor General's Awards for Visual and Media Arts were announced by the Canada Council for the Arts on 12 March. more >
Australia Council 'plays the world'
The Australia Council recently released details of 'Playing the World', an initiative of its Theatre Board and Audience and Market Development Division, designed to extend the ability of Australian performing arts practitioners to tour internationally and attend overseas ‘markets’ or trade fairs. more >
Australia Council announces new media arts funding
A total of more than A$500,000 in funding from the Australia Council's New Media Arts Board, to be spread among some 40 recipients nationwide, was recently announced. more >
Australia Council offers Lebanon residency
The Australia Council's Theatre Board has initiated a new program of three-month residencies for local performance artists of non-English speaking background (NESB), to assist them in strengthening their links with their overseas cultural heritage. more >
Want to tour in England? Arts venue info at a click
A new online arts database that looks set to make the lives of tour managers, promoters and producers much easier, has just completed its initial development phase and is in test mode. more >
Arts Council of Wales funds new reading scheme
The Arts Council of Wales announced funding of GB£300,000 at the Welsh Libraries Conference in Llandrindod earlier this month, to a consortium whose scheme, 'Branching Out', aims to get more people reading and increase book-borrowing from libraries. more >
National Award for Chile’s 'King of the Bolero'
Chile's Minister of Education, Mariana Alwyn, this month recognised the life-time achievements of 73-year-old vocalist Luis Enrique Gatica Silva, by presenting him with the prestigious Gabriela Mistral Order of Teaching and Cultural Merit Decoration. more >
Funding cuts to Oxford arts
England's Southern Arts Board has recently released a statement criticising proposed cuts in arts funding by Oxford City Council, a move the board says may see secured funding from other sources jeopardised. more >
Irish Arts Council announces grants and new leadership initiative
The Arts Council of Ireland's Director, Patricia Quinn, has announced details of the organisation's grant decisions for this year, as well as outlining a new initiative to promote leadership in the arts. more >
ACE launches ’Creative partnerships’
The Arts Council of England (ACE) has launched a GB£40 million initiative, aimed at developing long-term partnerships between schools, cultural and creative organisations and artists. Organisers suggest the project is 'one of the most important new arts education programs in a generation.' more >
Canada Council appoints Aboriginal Arts Co-ordinator
The Canada Council for the Arts has announced that Louise Profeit-LeBlanc will take up the position of Aboriginal Arts Co-ordinator on 6 May this year. more >
Indigenous trademark website launched by Creative NZ
National arts development agency Creative New Zealand has launched a website to complement its recently developed Maori Made Mark for indigenous arts product, 'Toi Iho'. more >
'Mash' Guyana-style
Guyana's capital, Georgetown, reportedly came alive in an explosion of colour and sounds recently, during the 'Mashramani' float and costume parade, celebrating the 32nd anniversary of the nation's declaration as a republic. The festival is currently the largest cultural event in the country, with audience numbers this year suggesting that 'Mash' 2002 was the best attended ever. more >
Art Gallery gets Maori name
A Maori name has been officially bestowed on a recently constructed piece of cultural infrastructure in the New Zealand city of Christchurch: now to be know as 'Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu'. more >
Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2002 shortlist
The Arts Council of England has released the names of six contenders from 81, who have made it to the shortlist of this year's Independent Foreign Fiction Prize. more >
Wales releases 10-year plan for culture
Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language in the Wales Assembly, Jenny Randerson, in February released a 10-year plan designed to put cultural issues higher up on the nation's agenda. more >
Cultural exchange between Barbados and Colombia raised
In a recent meeting with key Barbados government ministers, Colombia's Ambassador to Barbados, Dr Rafael Gomez, discussed the development of closer cultural ties between the two countries, including a teacher exchange to enable each country's language to be taught in the other's schools. more >
April 2002
Scottish Arts Council appoints new director
There are new directions in Sotland with the appointment of a new Director and the opening of a new 'place for music and the arts'. more >
Creative Yorkshire website launched
Leeds University was the setting for a major conference on the creative industries in the Yorkshire and Humber region of the UK last week, where a website of the same name as the conference, 'Creative Yorkshire', was launched. more >
Communication with arts groups formulates policy
In response to discussions with six leading art groups, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC), recently held a forum with senior representatives of companies receiving one-year grants, to discuss the future of national funding policy. more >
Budget increase for Agency for Cultural Affairs
Despite across-the-board cuts in government budgets, Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs has been given a hefty 8.3% increase in its 2002 budget. more >
ACE/RABs merger finalised
The merger between the Arts Council of England (ACE) and the nation's 10 Regional Arts Boards (RABs) was completed on 1 April, although the new body is yet to take an official name or identity. more >
Creative NZ offers international residencies
National arts development agency Creative New Zealand is calling for applications to its annual Berlin Writers' Residency and Sydney Artspace Residency. more >
Australia Council appoints new policy director
The Australia Council has announced the appointment of Lisa Colley as the new Executive Director of its Policy, Communications and Planning Division. more >
Australia Council Chair resigns
Dr Terry Cutler has tendered his resignation from the chairship of the Australia Council, in order to focus his attention on emerging opportunities in the information technology field. more >
Scottish Arts Council artform strategies available online
The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has recently released its artform strategy documents on the SAC website - for the areas of crafts, music, dance, drama, literature and visual arts. more >
Arts Council of Northern Ireland hands Film Finance responsibility to Film Body
The Arts Council of Ireland recently announced that from 1 April this year it would hand over responsibility for film finance to the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission. more >
New publications celebrate role of arts development
The Arts Council of Ireland today launched three publications which celebrate the role of local authorities in nurturing artistic activity and thereby creating a nationwide infrastructure for local arts development. more >
The Philippines' Culture and Arts Plan (2001-2004)
The Philippines' Medium Term Development Plan for Culture and the Arts (MTPDPCA 2001-2004) is now available online on the website of the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA). more >
New Australia Council Chair announced
Federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston, and the Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, announced today that they would recommend to the Governor-General that businessman and corporate adviser, David Gonski, be appointed to chair the Australia Council, following the sudden resignation of Dr Terry Cutler late last week. more >
Government backs Arts Council's five-year strategy plan
At a reception in the Arts Council of Ireland's premises last week Sile de Valera TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, launched the publication of the 'Arts Plan 2002-2006', and announced that on her recommendation it had been endorsed by the Irish Government. more >
New courses at ICAM
The Philippines' key arts management trainer, the Institute for Cultural and Arts Management (ICAM) has announced the introduction of three new courses in the latest edition of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) newsletter, 'Agung'. more >
Arts, science and technology links fostered
The Canada Council for the Arts and the National Research Council Canada (NRC) recently signed an agreement to promote interaction between the arts, science and technology. The signing coincided with the 550th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's birth. more >
President Bush presents National Medal of Arts to Kirk Douglas, Tom Wolfe and more
US President George W Bush presented the 2001 National Medal of Arts to seven individuals and one organisation at a ceremony on 22 April in Consitution Hall in Washington, DC. more >
Creative NZ releases funding guide
New Zealand's national arts development agency, Creative New Zealand, has released its 'Funding Guide: Nga Putea for 2002-2003'. more >
Storytelling receives funding boost
Stories old and new have received a GB£27,000 boost, following recent Scottish Arts Council awards to storytelling projects. Highlighted as a traditional art in the National Cultural Strategy, storytelling has recently enjoyed a renaissance in Scotland, demonstrated by the range of bids to the Scottish Arts Council's Literature Committee. more >
NEA announces $60.7 million in second round of grants
The United States' National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced US$60,726,300 awarded through 851 grants in the second major funding round of the 2002 fiscal year. more >
Chilean Cultural Councils held in Australia
Chile's Division of Culture recently hosted a series of Cultural Council meetings in Australia during late April, in a move designed to unite Chilean artists and artsworkers living in Australia and re-establish links with their country of origin. more >
Research report on 'Droit de Suite'
The Arts Council of England has published research reviewing the current practice of 'Droit de Suite'. more >
Half a million dollars per year for research and development
Singapore's National Arts Council has set up an Arts Research and Development Fund which will disburse up to $500,000 a year on arts research. more >
Arts Council of England update
An update from the Arts Council of England: cultural diversity seminar; launch of report on arts and young offenders; reports on education in dance and drama companies. more >
Institutional racism set to be knocked on its head in England's theatres
The English theatre industry has launched plans to combat institutional racism in the sector, with the publication of a strategy that aims to create more and better opportunities for Black, Asian and Chinese artists and professionals. more >
May 2002
Cultural Ministers Council meets in Melbourne
Australian Commonwealth, State and Territory ministers responsible for arts and cultural portfolios met earlier this week in Melbourne, for the 15th gathering of the Cultural Ministers Council (CMC), discussing issues such as the small-to-medium performing arts sector, a review of the key needs of the collections sector and the cultural benefits of public broadcasting. more >
Government partnership to assist artists and the environment
A new partnership between Creative New Zealand and the Department of Conservation that encourages artists to create works inspired by New Zealand's natural and historic resources has been launched by Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Judith Tizard and Conservation Minister Sandra Lee. more >
Festival of Pacific Arts for Palau in 2004
The Pacific island nation, the Republic of Palau, will host the ninth Festival of Pacific Arts in mid-2004. The Festival occurs every four years. more >
Welsh language theatre company progress
The Arts Council of Wales has moved closer towards its goal of establishing a national Welsh language theatre company with its 1 May announcement of the outline vision for the project. more >
Arts education vital for future workforce
Arts education is a cost-effective way to help build the workforce of tomorrow, according to an issue brief, 'The Impact of Arts Education on Workforce Preparation', produced by the US National Governors Association (NGA), Center for Best Practices in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Association of States Arts Agencies. more >
Netherlands releases third report on provenance of State Art Collection
The 'Netherlands, Origins Unkown' project office has released its third report on its investigation into the provenance of the state's art collection, known as the 'NK' collection. more >
Restitution of artworks honoured
Netherlands State Secretary for Culture, Rick Van der Ploeg, has recently honoured two requests for the restitution of artworks recovered from Germany after the Second World War. more >
Five-Year Arts plan gives priority to individual artists
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, in its five-year arts plan, has a given priority to extend opportunities for artists to develop their work and practice. more >
New arts education award for schools
From next year, a new award will recognise Singaporean schools providing opportunities for all students to be involved and show excellence in the arts. Presented by the National Arts Council (NAC), the Best Practices in Arts Education Award or 'AE' Award will be given out annually. more >
Developing Scotland's contemporary art collections
The Scottish Arts Council is strengthening the support for collections of work by living Scottish artists, through a GB£64,000 lottery award to the Contemporary Art Society. more >
Creative New Zealand releases contemporary dance strategy
Creative New Zealand recently launched 'Moving to the Future: Ngä Whakanekeneke atu ki te Ao o Apöpö', its strategy for professional contemporary dance, part of the broader 'Future Strategies' policy initiative. more >
Forum convenes to debate the future of arts education
A group of respected academics, artists and educationalists led the Scottish Arts Council's Education Forum, which met for the first time on 13 May. more >
Arts Education Partnership to release research compendium
The US Arts Education Partnership, a national coalition of arts, education, business, philanthropic and government organisations, is about to release a new research compendium. more >
Forum on Broadcasting
Ireland's Forum on Broadcasting, established on 22 March this year by Sile de Valera, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, is about to close submissions tomorrow, 16 May, and has recently launched a website to track and communicate the forum process and outcomes. more >
'We are not alone,' says arts council CEO
South Africa's National Arts Council Chair Doreen Nteta recently chaired IFACCA's latest board meeting in Singapore. She explains here that in relation to funding the arts, the South African experience isn't very different from that of other countries. more >
Support for contemporary music reaps rewards
National arts development agency Creative New Zealand is patting itself on the back following the recent announcement of winners in the 2002 New Zealand Music Awards. more >
Canada Council sponsors largest-ever delegation of Canadian writers to China
Canadian literature is making its presence felt in the world's most populous country this week, as a result of the visit of five well-known Canadian writers to China on a delegation led by the Canada Council for the Arts. more >
New library for Belize
'Education is the key in fighting poverty, and a library is a way in which we give our children the opportunity to climb that ladder and build a great future,' commented Belize Prime Minister Said Musa at the inauguration of a new library and computer centre in Port Loyola. more >
New Arts Council members announced
Council members have recently been announced for the single arts funding organisation created by the merger of the Arts Council of England and the English Regional Arts Boards. more >
Maori artists develop international markets with Te Waka Toi support
A multi-media montage showcasing the diversity of Maori art will provide a backdrop to the Maori in Europa tour next month, with the funding support of Te Waka Toi, the Maori arts board of Creative New Zealand. more >
Launch of 'Arts for All' website
Following the 'Arts for All' conference held in March, the Scotish Arts Council has launched a new 'Arts For All' website. more >
Arts and education to be debated by Scottish Parliament
The importance of arts education in the curriculum will be the subject of a question-and-answer debate to be launched by Scottish Arts Council Chair James Boyle during the Scottish Parliament's visit to Aberdeen. more >
South Africa arts budget announced
South Africa's Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology delivered his budget speech on 24 May, and the budget for arts and culture increased this year by a whopping 36%. So why are arts practitioners and observers hugely disappointed? more >
June 2002
NCCA board elects new Chair
The Phillipines National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has elected Evelyn B Pantig as its new Chair. more >
Replacement Director Named for MOT
'Japanese Art Scene Monitor' has reported that the Director of Tokyo’s Museum of Comtemporary Art (MOT), Kotaro Higuchi, has resigned from his position, after suffering a cerebral infarction in late March. more >
Pacific Arts Committee of Creative NZ, funding heritage arts projects
The Pacific Arts Committee of Creative New Zealand has announced its latest round of funding for heritage arts projects, recognising a common need to pass on cultural knowledge and skills to New Zealand born Pacific children. more >
ACE calls for increased arts spending
The Arts Council of England (ACE) has released a new report, 'The Big Picture', setting out the argument for increased spending within the arts sector. The report indicates the need to build on existing investment, back talent and creativity and place more funding into arts education. more >
Arts and Business CD launched by ACE
The Collaborative Arts Unit of the Arts Council of England (ACE) has produced a new CD, which investigates the ways in which artists can work effectively within the business community and develop links between the two sectors. more >
Quartet to get cavernous response
No, it's not some weird conspiracy by rock fans to silence classical musicians, but, as part of a new sponsorship deal, Australia's award-winning Tank Stream Quartet will play classical music 450 metres underground. more >
NAC funding performing arts
The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) has announced that the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology has made funds available for the support of performing arts companies throughout the nation. more >
NT seeks submissions to tourism plan
The Northern Territory Tourist Commission (NTTC) is seeking submissions towards the development of a new five-year strategic plan for tourism. more >
NEA announces grants in support of youth
Eileen B Mason, Acting Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), today announced $2,265,000 awarded in 249 grants through the agency's 'Challenge America: Positive Alternatives for Youth' program. more >
NEA Announces 2002 National Heritage Fellowship recipients
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced the 2002 recipients of the National Heritage Fellowships, the country's highest honour in the folk and traditional arts. more >
Pro Helvetia annual report launch
The Swiss foundation for culture, Pro Helvetia, is set to release its annual report, outlining Swiss cultural trends, on 13 June. The report, formerly presented in brochure format, details the outcomes of research undertaken by the foundation in the past year, and, for the first time, will be made available as an electronic document. more >
Queensland celebrates cultural relations with Japan
A gathering to celebrate Haiku poetry took place in Queensland on June 6, further cementing cultural relations between that state and Japan. more >
Torres Strait artefacts return to Australia
One of the most culturally significant collections of Torres Strait Islander artefacts has returned to Australia for the first time in more than 100 years, providing 'an exceptional record of the knowledge and traditions of the region's social and cultural history', Queensland Minister for the Arts Matt Foley, noted in a media release. more >
Turkish government launches cultural e-commerce site
The Turkish Ministry for Culture has recently launched a new e-commerce site for local art and craft products. more >
NEA invites public comment on latest guidelines
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is inviting public comment on its draft, 'Guidelines Ensuring and Maximising the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by the National Endowment for the Arts', which has been posted online. more >
Program of Australian art for Berlin
A six-month program of Australian performance, literature, visual arts and film at cultural venues in Berlin, expected to involve more than 80 artists, was launched yesterday at the city's Hebbel Theater. more >
ACW welcomes findings of audit
The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) has welcomed the findings of an Audit Committee inquiry into the Centre for Visual Arts. more >
Cook Island residency announced by Creative NZ
One of New Zealand's best-known Pacific artists, Fatu Feu'u, has been announced as the recipient of the 2002 Cook Island Artist Residency, awarded by the Pacific Arts Committee of Creative New Zealand. more >
Tropfest announces Tropfest Signature Item (TSI)
Intel Tropfest invites filmmakers to ‘ROCK’ the world’s largest short film festival by entering Intel Tropfest #11, held Sunday February 23, 2003. more >
First recipients of the Maori Made Mark announced
The first recipients of the toi iho Maori Made Mark, a registered trademark denoting authenticity and quality, have been announced as part of an initiative developed by Te Waka Toi, Creative New Zealand's Maori Arts Board, in collaboration with Maori artists. more >
ICT expanded in England's public libraries
The People's Network project, which aims to connect all public libraries across England to the internet by the end of 2002, has received GB£1.7 million from the People's Network Excellence Fund. more >
Creative NZ public funding level maintained
Creative New Zealand has announced that its level of public funding has been maintained in the New Zealand Government's 2002/03 Budget, at a baseline of NZ$2,388,444, with an increase due in the next financial year. more >
Hong Kong ADC launches awards
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) has launched the first Hong Kong Arts Development Awards, giving formal recognition to individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding achievement to or contribution in the arts sector. more >
Measuring the economic and social impact of the arts
'Measuring the Economic and Social Impact of the Arts', a report which provides an overview of arts impact research in the UK, and complements a recent Arts-Council-commissioned review on arts and social exclusion, is now available online. more >
Public Stage project in Chile extended to music
The Chilean Ministry of Education's Cultural Division has announced that the project, 'A Public Stage', offering cultural and artistic experiences to public sector employees, is to be extended from theatre and cinema, to cover music, as well. more >
Power of Culture speech available online
'The Power of Culture in Contemporary Society', a speech delivered by the Director of the Canada Council for the Arts, Dr Shirley Thomson, in Paris on February 28, has been recently made available online. more >
Eileen Mason conference remarks online
A speech delivered by Acting Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Eileen Mason, at the annual conferences of Americans for the Arts and the American Symphony Orchestra League is now available online. more >
National Theatre of Scotland seeks Chairperson
Scottish Arts Council has announced that it is seeking to appoint an inaugural Chairperson for the new flagship National Theatre of Scotland. more >
Earl Powell nominated to serve on NCA
American President George Bush has announced the nomination of Earl Powell III to serve on the National Council for the Arts (NCA), the advisory body of the National Endowment for the Arts. more >
July 2002
Popcorn Taxi Sydney screens AFC shorts at new guidelines session
As part of the AFC's free guideline information session on Monday July 8, Popcorn Taxi Sydney will screen two AFC-funded shorts. more >
NEA offers funding for technology projects
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Resources for Change: Technology initiative, is inviting proposals for model projects that demonstrate technological advances that can benefit the entire arts field. more >
Music tuition for children a focus of the SAC
The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has recently awarded grants totalling GB£678,358 to arts projects across the nation, many of which feature music and drama tuition for children and young people. more >
SAC minds their tongue
The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has helped to fund the preservation of the Scot language, by providing GB£107,500 to a combined organisation, dedicated to conserving the language from earliest medieval times to present day. more >
SAC promoting arts and culture in schools
A pilot initiative of the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) called the Schools Co-ordinators Scheme, will see 200 schools across Scotland gain valuable assistance in expanding student experiences in arts and culture, with the backing of GB£1.75 million from the Scottish Executive. more >
NEA funding debate
A budget recommendation which emerged from the American Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee in late June, has proposed an increase in National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funding from US$115.2 million to $119 million for FY03, according to reports from the National Humanities Alliance (NHA) and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA). more >
HKADC appoints new Chairman and Vice-Chairman
The Hong Kong government has recently announced the appointment of Darwin Chen and Dr Peter Wong King-keung as Chairman and Vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), from July 1, 2002 to December 31, 2004. more >
Canada Council funds representation at Biennale
The Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) are working in partnership on the administration and funding support of Canada’s architectural representation at the 2002 Venice Biennale in Architecture, which takes place from September 8 to November 3. more >
Arts Council of Wales sends artists to Venice
Funding provided by the Arts Council of Wales, will see that country have representation at the Venice Biennale for the first-time. more >
Canada Council focuses on Indigenous art
A new article, 'Look Both Ways', is available on the Canada Council website, and details the presence of Aboriginal art within Canada and its impact on national culture. more >
UNESCO adopts Budapest world heritage declaration
UNESCO has announced that its World Heritage Committee, at a meeting in late June, adopted the so-called Budapest Declaration, which marked the 30th anniversary of the 1972 World Heritage Convention and recognised its need to apply to a great diversity of 'heritage'. more >
Fondart funds touring performances in latest round
Chilean national arts development agency, Fondart, recently approved total funding of 1,963,233 pesos, to be divided among 256 projects estimated to involve some 1,660 artists. more >
New members for USA's Council of the Arts
Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor, has recently sworn in five new members in the National Council of the Arts, at the 144th meeting of the National Council on the Arts. more >
Java Museum launches latest online exhibition
The Java Museum, an online forum for International Technologies in Contemporary Art, has recently launched its first feature exhibition, 'Actual Positions of Italian NetArt'. more >
Creative NZ awards Berlin Writers Residency
The Arts Board of Creative New Zealand has recently awarded Auckland-based writer Kapka Kassabova with the Berlin Writers' Residency, worth approximately NZ$60,000. more >
Creative NZ assists in representation at Asia-Pacific Triennial
Grants provided by Creative New Zealand's Arts Board and Pacific Arts Committee will assist New Zealand artists to be represented at the Asia-Pacific Triennial (APT) of Contemporary Art 2002, to be held at the Queensland Art Gallery, from September 12. more >
Leadership in Maori arts and culture recognised
The Maori arts board of Creative New Zealand has recently announced the latest recipient of the 2002 Te Tohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi/Te Waka Toi Exemplary Award, recognising outstanding leadership and service to Maori arts and culture. more >
Increase in funding to Arts Council of England
The Arts Council of England (ACE), has announced that the arts in England is set to receive an additional £75 million a year in funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport by 2005/06. This equates to a 16 per cent increase over the two years 2004/5 and 2005/6. more >
Creative NZ honours services to Maori arts and culture
Te Waka Toi, the Maori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand, has recently announced the recipient of the 2002 Te Tohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi / Te Waka Toi Exemplary Award, recognising outstanding leadership and service to Maori arts and culture. more >
Jamaica receives a ‘lift up’ with a new community centre
A new community centre in Waterlane, constructed as part of the 'Lift Up Jamaica' program, was officially opened by Fitz Jackson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture, on July 12. more >
International centre in creative glass established
An international centre of excellence in creative glass has been established in Caithness, with the support of £100,000 of Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Funding. more >
Creative NZ assists in representation at APT 2002
Grants provided by Creative New Zealand's Arts Board and Pacific Arts Committee have assisted in the representation of New Zealand in the Asia-Pacific Triennial (APT) of Contemporary Art 2002, to be held at the Queensland Art Gallery, September 12. more >
Youth Audience initiatives rewarded
The Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) has recently announced the three recipients of the 2002 Theatre for Young Audience Prizes, as part of its ongoing effort to sustain and promote artistic initiatives geared towards youth. more >
Celebrations to mark anniversary of Belize independence
The September Celebrations Committee of the Belize Ministry of Tourism and Culture has recently announced the theme for the 2002 celebrations to take place in Belize City. more >
Major arts grants announced in Singapore
The National Arts Council (NAC) of Singapore has recently announced the recipients of the 2-Year Major Grants and the Annual Grants for the new financial year, with a sum of $3.95 million to be disbursed to 19 local arts companies. more >
Rejuvinating Welsh language theatre
The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) has recently announced the names of the companies who will receive funding for the production of two touring main-stage Welsh language productions for 2003. more >
World Heritage in the Digital Age calls for papers and digital media
Virtual Congress to link eight global events in Egypt, China, Senegal, Mexico and France through the internet and/or new media. more >
Latest news from the Republic of Congo
The Societe Congolaise de Developpment des Industries Culturelles (SOCODIC), the Congolese Society for the Development of Cultural Industries, has recently announced its upcoming activities for 2002/2003, each with a focus on expanding and improving arts and cultural facilities throughout the region. more >
Northern Ireland extends support to artists
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has given priority to the work of extending opportunities for individual artists to develop their practice, as part of its five-year arts plan. more >
August 2002
Creative Places winners announced in NZ
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark earlier this week announced the Creative Places Award 2002, open to local government authorities across the country that have actively supported arts projects. more >
Support and research for new artworks
Scottish Arts Council is supporting the research and development of community art projects, with a series of recent awards totalling GB£262,878. more >
Australia Council puts multicultural arts on tour
A 12-month collaboration between the Australia Council for the Arts and 11 multicultural arts organisations has come to fruition, with the first-ever national touring program dedicated to multicultural arts recently kicking off in Adelaide. more >
Australia Council awards CCD grants
The Australia Council for the Arts has announced a total of more than A$1 million in grants awarded by its Community Cultural Development (CCD) Board under the funding categories 'New Work', 'Presentation and Promotion', and 'Skills and Arts Development'. more >
Architect receives Canada Council Award
The Canada Council for the Arts has recently announced that Calgary-born Marc Boutin is the winner of the 2002 Prix de Rome, an award which recognises the talent and work of an architect actively engaged in the field. more >
Scottish councils awarded Cultural Co-ordinators
Following a previous report in the IFACCA bulletin, Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has recently announced the local councils that are to receive funding for Cultural Co-ordinators posts. more >
ACE celebrates diversity in the arts
The Arts Council of England (ACE) has recently announced what is billed as a ground-breaking project, championing new work in the area of cultural diversity. more >
NAC supporting arts in schools
Singapore's National Arts Council has recently announced the creation of a new award, which recognises schools showing excellence in the arts and providing opportunities for all students to become involved. more >
New Zealand to be represented at 2003 Venice Biennale
Contemporary New Zealand art will be represented at the 2003 Venice Biennale by artist Michael Stevenson, marking only the second time the island nation has contributed to the event. more >
Planning for the sixth IberoAmerican Cultural Conference progresses
Cultural representatives from some 21 IberoAmerican (Spanish–American) nations met in Chile's capital, Santiago de Chile, recently, to prepare for the Sixth IberoAmerican Cultural Conference, which will take place in the Dominican Republic October 3-4. more >
Australia Council meets in Melbourne
The Australia Council met in Melbourne recently to discuss a wide range of policy issues, as well as to meet with Federal Arts Minister, Senator Rod Kemp, and key members of the Melbourne arts community. more >
Creative NZ announces Wild Creators
The New Zealand Department of Conservation and Creative New Zealand have announced the selection of three artists to take part in the inaugural Wild Creations artist-in-residence program. more >
Storytelling, festivals and websites
The Scottish Arts Council has recently approved funding for three new and diverse projects; an information website for Youthlink Scotland's member organisations, a three year tour of the highlands by 'The Merry Dancers Storytelling Project' and a festival of music for children and young people in West Dunbartonshire. more >
ACW launches touring exhibition
The Arts Council of Wales launched its touring exhibition celebrating the Year of the Artist Wales (YOTAW) on August 6, honouring living artists and promoting greater awareness of their role and status in society. more >
NAC arts mission tour to North Asia
A multi-agency mission from Singapore will embark on an arts mission tour to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo and Taipei on August 16-23, furthering the efforts of the agencies in promoting Singapore as an international arts hub. more >
Creative NZ staffing restructure
Creative New Zealand is currently making changes to its management and staffing structure, and as such is advertising seven positions within the organisation nationally. more >
New Director for NEA Media Arts Programs
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has recently announced that music critic and broadcaster Ted Libbey has been appointed as its Director of Media Arts Programs, an initiative aimed at quality arts programming on US radio and television. more >
Celebrating Jamaica’s anniversary of independence through literature
The Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) recently launched Jamaica's Journey of Independence (1831-1962), a book commemorating the country’s 40th anniversary of Independence. more >
Canada Council to visit the Yukon
The Board of the Canada Council for the Arts, chaired by Jean-Louis Roux, will visit the regional areas of Whitehorse and Dawson City on August 27-31, for a series of meetings and activities aimed at both the arts communities and the general public. more >
Latest SAC grants reach across Scotland
The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has recently announced that its latest lottery awards will provide valued support to playing, performing and public arts projects in communities across the country. more >
Peer success a factor in increased grants applications
The Australia Council has recently commented that the success of contemporary Australian artists overseas is providing increased recognition and encouragement to new artists locally. more >
Canada Council celebrates 45 years
The Canada Council for the Arts is marking its 45th anniversary this year, and according to its 2001-2002 Annual Report, it seems that there is a great deal to celebrate. more >
Arts news from Creative NZ
The life and work of New Zealand’s most important twentieth century artist, Colin McCahon, is being celebrated in the first large-scale solo exhibition of his work, Colin McCahon: A Question of Faith, opening at the Stedelijik Museum, Amsterdam. more >
OzCo developing professional skills among artists
The development of professional skills across the spectrum of new media practice is the main focus of grants recently awarded by the Australia Council’s (OzCo) New Media Arts Board (NMAB). more >
Jamaica pays tribute to an icon of arts and culture
Jamaican Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, Senator Burchell Whiteman has recently paid tribute to the late Eric Coverley, one of Jamaica’s beloved icons of culture, for his contribution to the development of the arts. more >
NEA focus on Design
The US National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has recently awarded $850,00 to 13 design projects in its third annual New Public Works initiative. more >
Scottish Arts Council parties beyond Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival may be one of the biggest parties in Scotland, but despite its close, the Scots are still celebrating; the SAC has funded another 48 festivals, which will see the nation continue to celebrate throughout 2002. more >
Singapore visual arts scene growing strong
A statistical analysis of visual arts exhibitions in Singapore conducted by the National Arts Council (NAC) has indicated that the Singapore arts scene is gaining strength more >
South African sustainable craft fair
South Africa’s National Art’s Council (NAC) and the Gauteng Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture have combined to develop the Gauteng Provincial Crafts Fair to coincide with the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. more >
Taiwan Foundation announces winners of national art award
The National Culture and Arts Foundation (NCAF) of Taiwan has recently announced the recipients of its sixth annual National Awards for the Arts, honouring artists for their endeavours in artistic fields. more >
September 2002
Professional arts organisations a focus for Creative NZ
Creative New Zealand’s support for festivals, residencies, touring, the commissioning of new local work and professional development has recently been highlighted by its latest funding round - offering grants to 27 annually funded arts organisations throughout the country. more >
New Board Members for OzCo
The Australia Council for the Arts (OzCo) has recently welcomed the appointment of twelve new members to its artform Boards by the Federal Minister for the Arts, Senator Rod Kemp. more >
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra top charts
A recording by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra of the country’s most celebrated composer, Douglas Lilburn, is topping the charts not only in New Zealand but also in Britain. more >
The Myer Report for the Visual Arts and Craft sector
Mr Rupert Myer, Chair of the Visual Arts and Craft Inquiry is said to be pleased with the release of his report into the status of visual arts and craft in Australia. more >
Patricia Piccinini to represent Australia at Venice Biennale
Digital artist Patricia Piccinini has recently been selected by the Australia Council to represent Australia at the 2003 Venice Biennale. more >
Culturally diverse arts on Arts Council agenda
Are culturally diverse arts featuring prominently enough in the UK? A new initiative from the Arts Council of England, decibel, aims to provide more opportunities and funding for Britain’s culturally diverse communities to display their artistic talent. more >
Singapore performing arts reach all time high
Following on from a report in the last issue of ACORNS regarding the growing strength of the visual arts scene in Singapore, the National Arts Council (NAC) has recently released a report detailing the success of the performing arts sector. more >
Jamaica celebrates literacy day
The Central Jamaican Reading Council has announced the establishment of a reading area in the waiting room of the Mandeville Hospital, as part of activities that marked International Literacy Day on September 8. more >
Artists valued by Scottish society
Research recently commissioned by the Scottish Arts Council (SAC), has illustrated the great importance many Scots attach to the role of artists in creating a good image of their country. more >
Arts expenditure in England
The Arts Council of England (ACE) has published its sixth biennial survey of local authority expenditure on the arts in England, comparing and analysing expenditure by different types of authority and by region. more >
USA rejoins UNESCO
After a 18-year absence, President George Bush has announced that the USA will re-join UNESCO. more >
HKADC decides to corporatise film festival
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) has recently decided to corporatise the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), with the aim of giving the event greater flexibility in organisation and management. more >
Linking intangible cultural heritage and cultural diversity
Some 80 ministers of culture are to meet in Istanbul on September 16 and 17 to debate the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, highlighting its importance in the maintenance of the world’s cultural diversity. more >
International artists flock to Scotland
The International Projects Panel of the Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has recently approved eleven grants that will see artists from across the world perform at events throughout the country. more >
Canada takes stock of contributions to Aboriginal culture
In the latest edition of the For the Arts newsletter, the Canada Council for the Arts has reflected on the present state of its second Aboriginal Arts Advisory Committee. more >
Creative New Zealand celebrates achievements in Maori arts
Te Waka Toi, the Maori arts board of Creative New Zealand, held the annual Nga Taonga Toi Awards Evening on September 7, recognising outstanding contributions to Maori arts and culture. more >
Australia’s arts workers get reSAUCEful
A new initiative of the Australia Council (OzCo), reSAUCEful Media Relations; a professional development program for the arts, recently kicked off its national tour with courses in Tasmania. more >
Boost for digital film technology
The impact of digital technology on the film industry has been given a boost, including plans for a digital Film Festival, by a Screen Digest report. more >
Grant awarded to European Union Youth Orchestra
The European Union Youth Orchestra has received over £25,000 from a grant awarded by the Japan Art Association at this year’s Praemium Imperiale Awards. more >
Scottish theatre talent among the best in Britain
The Scottish Arts Council has announced eight of this year’s nominations for the Barclays Theatre Awards were performers, productions and theatres supported by Scottish Arts Council. more >
Films coming to Australia
As reported in Movie Trader the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals were a great time to buy and sell. more >
New program to support Welsh music
A new funding partnership between the Arts Council of Wales and the Performing Rights Society Foundation aims to increase commissions and works from Welsh musicians. more >
Cultures to come together at diaspora conference
'Connecting Flights: New Cultures of the Diaspora', an initiative of the Arts Council of England, British Council and London Arts, examines the cultural and global implications of diaspora - people with roots and heritage from countries and cultures other than where they live. more >
Australia Council grant recipients announced
Recipients in the latest round of grants from the Australia Council's Community Cultural Development Board (CCDB) have been announced. more >
Vietnamese government bans artists from Melbourne Festival
Melbourne performance company Chamber Made has announced that three Vietnamese artists scheduled to perform in its upcoming premiere work, 'Motherland', have been banned from participating by their national government. more >
UNICEF exhibit shows plight of third world children
An exhibition inspired by Scottish author Irvine Welsh, during a visit to Afghanistan, will mark this year's anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). more >
ACE interest in National Poetry Day
National Poetry Day 2002 is taking place in the England on October 10, and thanks to funding from the Arts Council of England (ACE) New Audiences Department, the National Poetry Society is offering a substantial range of free services, support material and publicity to promoters. more >
NAC awards Distinguished Patrons of the Arts
The Singapore National Arts Council (NAC) has announced that a record number of 17 recipients were recognised as 'Distinguished Patrons of the Arts' at the recent 2002 Patron of the Arts Award presentation ceremony. more >
Community arts development rewarded by NEA
The US National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has recently awarded grants valued at more than US$1.4 million to communities across the nation, as part of the agency's program, 'Challenge America: Community Arts Development'. more >
NEA among Federal partners joining to save America's treasures
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) along with other US Federal partners have jointly announced the awarding of US$15,600,000 in Save America's Treasures (SAT) grants, aimed at preserving and protecting the nation's cultural heritage. more >
New partnership aimed at increasing Indigenous participation in the arts
Developing strategies to promote, grow and foster greater participation in arts-related activities by Indigenous people within the Many Rivers region (NSW South Coast) is the main focus of a new partnership developed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board (ATSIAB) of the Australia Council. more >
International residencies for Canadian artists
Twelve Canadian visual/media artists and curators will be participating in residencies in Paris, New York and the Port of Spain (Trinidad), thanks to a program offered by the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA). more >
New arts and cultural website for NZ
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark recently launched a new website offering the arts and creative industries access to a range of work opportunities and career development tools. more >
Equating culture with freedom
Belizean Prime Minister Said Musa has officially inaugurated the Banquitas House of Culture, located in multicultural Orange Walk Town. more >
October 2002
WIPO welcomes ASEAN arts
An exhibition of textiles and musical instruments from countries belonging to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – was opened at the offices of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on September 24. more >
Mentoring guide released
The Australia Council's Getting Connected: Making Your Mentorship Work is a handbook on mentorship programs in the arts industries. It offers best practice guidelines, discusses mentorship models, warns of the pitfalls and highlights the benefits of mentorship programs. more >
International Indigenous Authors Celebration
The Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) has announced that the first-ever International Indigenous Authors Celebration and Tour, featuring writers from Canada, Australia and New Zealand, will be launched in Canada on October 20. more >
Creative New Zealand’s Smash Palace
Collaborations between artists and scientists is the focus of a new one-off fund established by Creative New Zealand and the Ministry for Research, Science and Technology. more >
OzCo Supporting theatre diversity and innovation
The Theatre Board of the Australia Council (OzCo) has recently awarded over $8.5 million to 65 diverse theatre companies and artists in its latest grant round. more >
Singapore venue usage hits an all time high
The Singapore National Arts Council (NAC) has recently conducted an analysis of venue usage within the Singapore performing arts scene aimed at determining which venues are favoured by organisers, and the depth of venues available. more >
Canada-Japan Literature Awards recipients
The Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) has recently announced the winners of the 2002 Canada-Japan Literary Awards. more >
Traditional Scottish music for all to hear
Traditional Scottish music that hasn’t been heard since the 16th century is soon to be heard across the country, with the appointment of a Historical Musician in Residence. more >
Future vision for Welsh art
The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) has recently welcomed a range of options proposed by the National Museums and Galleries of Wales (NMGW) aimed at strengthening the future exhibition of Welsh art. more >
UNESCO prepares for World Heritage anniversary
UNESCO will commence the first of seven conferences tomorrow, being held in the lead-up to the 30th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, adopted on November 16, 1972, and in celebration of the United Nations Year of Cultural Heritage. more >
ACE releases new research report
The Arts Council of England's latest research report, Arts in England, provides information on how people are engaging with arts and culture in England by analysing data on arts attendance, participation and attitudes. This is the first study of its kind in England for 10 years. more >
Eileen Mason comments on critical arts issues
The current state of the US arts and culture was recently addressed by Senior Deputy Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Eileen Mason at the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies Annual Conference. more >
New projects funded in england's north west
Harbour Lights, a public art installation set to grace Maryport Harbour in Cumbria, is among eight recipients of grants in the latest round of lottery funding from England's North West Arts Arts Council. more >
Marketing and audience development in Wales
The Arts Council of Wales, (ACA) is organising its third one-day marketing symposium, aimed at giving local arts marketing professionals the opportunity to meet, discuss new developments and share best practice. The Symposium will take place in Cardiff on November 7. more >
Northern Ireland's arts scene gets a boost
Northern Ireland's Arts Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has recently announced the allocation of a further £335,000 for the arts in Northern Ireland, to be channelled through individual initiatives of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. more >
National collection scheme launched
The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) recently launched a new scheme aimed at expanding contemporary art collections in Scottish museums and galleries. more >
Poet nominated to be the new Chairman of the NEA
US President George Bush has recently announced his intention to nominate poet, critic and educator Dana Gioia as the next Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). more >
Indigenous Australian music for WOMEX
According to the Australia Council's latest newsletter, its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board (ATSIAB) is set to promote Indigenous Australian music for the first time at the World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Germany next week. more >
Gallery trust accounts investigation launched
The Australia Council recently announced that it will be investigating whether or not art dealers should be forced to set up trust accounts to protect the income of artists whose works have been sold by their galleries. more >
Popularity for the arts in England
A joint survey conducted by the Arts Council of England (ACE) and Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries has revealed English support for arts and arts education . more >
Trans-Tasman composers exchange
Creative New Zealand has announced that negotiations are under way for the first trans-Tasman composers exchange, as the result of discussions between the Centre for New Zealand Music (SOUNZ) and the Australian Music Centre. more >
101st Anniversary of the National Museum
Created by Act. No. 284 on October 29, 1901, the National Museum of the Philippines' first task was to become the lead institution in protecting, preserving, and promoting the cultural heritage of the Filipino people. more >
November 2002
An engaging initiative
The creators of a recently launched gallery education CD-ROM and publication have received further funds from the Arts Council of Wales to further develop their work over the next two years. more >
SAC expresses disappointment at failed Inverness bid
The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) has expressed its disappointment that the Inverness bid for City of Culture has failed to make the short list for the next stage. more >
Youth work experience scheme for Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (ADC) has recently developed a partnership with the government Labour Department to organise a youth work experience and training scheme in the arts and creative industry. more >
Restructure at the Arts Council of Ireland
The Arts Council of Ireland has indicated in its October newsletter that it is currently embarking on a restructuring program, aimed at enhancing the role of its professional staff in continuing to meet the new challenges that come with being Ireland's agency for developing the arts. more >
NEA announces jazz masters fellowship winners
The US National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has recently announced the recipients of the 2003 American Jazz Masters Fellowships which recognise significant contributions to jazz, artistic excellence and impact on the music field. more >
Canada Council stocks up on Aboriginal art
The Canada Council Art Bank recently announced plans to purchase $100,000 worth of Aboriginal art to enhance its collection, and to celebrate its 30th anniversary and the 45th anniversary of the Canada Council for the Arts. more >
Major exhibition of NZ and Pacific art to open in New York
The first major exhibition of contemporary art from New Zealand and the Pacific Islands to tour the US will open in New York in 2004 with thanks to a grant offered by the Arts Board of Creative New Zealand more >
Multicultural Development Program launced
The Multicultural Arts Professional Development (MAPD) program, a new training module initiated under the Australia Council’s Arts in a Multicultural Australia policy, has recently been launched. more >
Opportunities grow in New Zealand Contemporary dance
Creative New Zealand has recently reported that the country's contemporary dance sector is brimming with thanks for its increase in funding for choreographers and dance companies, as well as heightened international opportunities for the industry. more >
Oz films head to Berlin
The Australian Film Commission (AFC) has today announced that a significant program of Australian feature films, television programs, documentaries and short films, will screen in Berlin in early December. more >
Major exhibition opens in Belize
The Belize Ministry of Tourism and Culture has recently announced the launch of a new exhibition depicting the Poustina Earth Park project in photographs and other works. more >
Indigenous performing arts to feature at CINARS
The Australia Council has announced that it will focus on Indigenous arts product for the tenth Canadian performing arts trade show, CINARS (Commerce International des arts de la scene), at the invitation of organisers. more >
SAC funds new arts projects
Seven new arts projects, ranging from bagpipes to contemporary dance, have been the recipients of grants in the latest funding round from the Scottish Arts Council. more >
Next phase to establish Welsh Language Theatre Company
The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) is entering the next stage of development towards establishing the Welsh Language Theatre Company, following an announcement seeking applications for board members. more >
Fostering Jamaican culture
In seeking to foster greater patriotism in school children throughout the island nation, Jamaica's Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture held celebrations in schools to mark Jamaica Day. more >
CCA rewards excellence in Literature
The Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) has recently announced the winners of the 2002 Governor General's Literary Awards, in the categories of fiction, poetry, drama, non-fiction, children's literature (text and illustration) and translation. more >
Singapore NAC presents an Arts City Treasure Hunt
The Singapore National Arts Council (NAC) is presenting an 'Arts City Treasure Hunt', aimed at inspiring the public to greater realms of creativity, innovation and appreciation of the arts. more >
ACE announces winners of community publishing prize
Two publications have received the annual Raymond Williams Community Publishing Prize the Arts Council of England (ACE) recently announced. more >
Taiwan NCAF seeks partner for Asian exchange program
The National Culture and Arts Foundation is a non-profit organisation which promotes arts and culture in Taiwan. It currently runs Arts Professional Exchange Programs with the Fulbright Foundation and with the French Ministry of Culture and would like to extend the program in Asia. To do so, NCAF is seeking a cooperative counterpart in Asia. The proposal for the Asia Culture and Art Professional Exchange Program is available on IFACCA's website at: http://www.ifacca.org/en/files/021126NCAFProposal.doc. more >
Prague Quadrennial to feature pacific performance and design
Funding support from the Pacific Arts Committee of Creative New Zealand will see Pacific performance and design feature at next year’s Prague, PQ 03, for the first time. more >
UNESCO's Fellini Medal awarded
UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura earlier this week presented the organisation's Fellini Gold Medal to Korean film director Im Kwon-Taek and French producer Pierre Rissient. more >
Study finds art can teach mathematics
A three-year Canadian study has revealed students involved in a 'Learning Through The Arts' (LTTA) program scored higher in mathematics than schoolchildren engaged in traditional education. more >
Increased resources for NZ literary sector
Creative New Zealand has announced that more than half of the additional funding it received from the government in May for the literary sector will supplement the New Zealand Authors' Fund. more >
International presence for Canadian artists
An agreement to promote collaborations, exchanges and exposure of Canadian artists on the international scene, and foreign artists in Canada, has been reached by the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) and the Arts and Cultural Industries Promotion Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). more >
Arts Council Chairman says arts funding in Northern Ireland 'unacceptable'
The Chairman of the Northern Ireland Arts Council, Professor Brian Walker, called on the Government yesterday to consider additional arts funding as new figures indicate Northern Ireland falls behind the rest of the UK on per capita spending. more >
December 2002
Action to improve copyright awareness in Hong Kong
The Arts Development Council in Hong Kong held a recent retreat aimed at increasing awareness of intellectual property issues. more >
New Zealand art goes to Venice
Creative New Zealand recently announced that it has worked in conjunction with the City Gallery Wellington to secure a place for Michael Stevenson's 'This is Trekka' installation at the Venice Biennale 2003. more >
Funding crisis facing Northern Ireland's arts
A recent meeting of the Northern Ireland Arts Council culminated in a call for increased government funding for the arts. more >
Scottish Arts Council funds gallery expansion
The Scottish Arts Council (SAC) recently announced that £2 million in lottery funding would contribute to renovations at the Stromness Pier Arts Centre in Orkney. more >
Learning about the arts in Singapore
The Singapore National Arts Council (NAC), in collaboration with Lifeskills & Lifestyle, will present a series of visual arts workshops, from April to August 2003. more >
Canada Council gives birthday gifts
The Canada Council for the Arts wants to say 'thank-you' to the public. In a sign of appreciation for 45 years of public funding, the council, in collaboration with CBC/Radio-Canada, will be offering free tickets to performing arts events across the country. more >
Youth make public art thanks to Scottish Arts Council
Two new Scottish Arts Council grants will provide young people in South Lanarkshire and the Highlands with the opportunity to make an artistic impact on their local communities. more >
Film Council applauds UK performance at European Film Awards
The Film Council's Chief Executive Officer, John Woodward, has applauded the talent within the UK film industry, following actress Kate Winslet and director Ken Loach's success at the European Film Awards held in Rome over the weekend. more >
Northern Ireland Arts Council announces four new posts
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has announced four key posts to head up new priority areas within the organisation's remit. more >
Collaboration for Canada's arts
Canadian artists seeking international recognition will be assisted by a new agreement between the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). more >
Preparations for the Emirates Film Competition underway
The Emirates Cultural Foundation has announced that it has begun preparations for the second Emirates Film Competition, scheduled to take place in March 2003. more >
UNESCO Prize for Architecture presented in Venice
Three young graduate architects from Italy's Genoa University - Erika Bisio, Giulia Carpeneto and Irene Carpeneto - were recently presented with the 2002 UNESCO Prize for Architecture, at a ceremony in Venice. more >
First Lady of Russia opens Himalayan exhibition in India
The First Lady of Russia, Lyudmila A Putina, recently opened the 'Nicholas Roerich: A Himalayan saga' exhibition at New Dehli's National Museum, the Indian Ministry for Tourism and Culture has announced. more >
US Federal cultural agencies honour excellence in youth arts
The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) have recently honoured 13 organisations across the US and Mexico for their outstanding work with youth through the 'Coming Up Taller' Awards. more >
Scottish Arts Council funds the 'nuts and bolts'
A variety of arts organisations around Scotland have received funding to boost the 'nuts and bolts' of their infrastructure. more >
Minister Copps announces the appointment of the director of the Canada Council for the Arts
Minister of Canadian Heritage, Sheila Copps, has announced the appointment of John Hobday as Director of the Canada Council for the Arts. more >
Northern Ireland arts to receive £18 million over three years
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has announced spending on the arts will now exceed £10 million a year, following an extra £18 million over three years injected into the sector from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. more >
Welsh Language Theatre board members announced
The Arts Council of Wales has announced seven new board members to be appointed to Theatre Genedlaethol Cymru, the Welsh Language Theatre. more >
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