National Arts Agency News in 2005
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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 2005
Scottish Arts Council launches project for young companies.
A new project that aims to help young theatre companies share creativity and collaborate to develop exciting new work has been launched with support from the Scottish Arts Council and Glasgow City Council. more >
Ministers of Culture scheduled to meet.
The fourth meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLC) will be held next May, in Luanda, Angola. more >
Philippines National Arts Month launched
The Filipino National Commission for Culture and the Arts has launched their National Arts Month for 2005, with a huge variety of activities taking place across the country, and the arts. more >
England announced new national award for youth arts
Arts Council England has launched a new national award for achievement in the arts. more >
Creative Scotland Awards shortlist announced
The shortlist for on of the UK’s richest arts award programs has been announced. The Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Creative Scotland Awards have shortlisted twenty-three of Scotland’s leading writers, visual artists, poets, musicians and crafts professionals. more >
Angolan Minister for Culture meets with cultural organisations
The Angolan Minister for Culture, Boaventura Cardoso, met on the 25th of January with members of cultural organisations, in order to address their activities promoting cultural policy. more >
Irish Arts Council Appoints Traditional Arts Specialist
The Arts Council has announced the appointment of Liz Doherty to the new consulting role of Traditional Arts Specialist, beginning in early March. more >
Digital piracy hurting French artists, says government
The French Minister of Culture and Communication has attended a meeting about the impact of digital piracy on the French Arts industry, signalling his commitment to address the issue. more >
French and Italian Culture and Communication Ministers discuss racism
The French Minister of Culture and Communication recently met with Maurizio Gasparri, his Italian counterpart, to discuss issues of racism within broadcast media. more >
Scottish Arts Council event promotes Scottish Music
Organised by the Scottish Arts Council, British Council and Celtic Connections, Showcase Scotland, held from 20-23 January in Glasgow, is the largest music industry gathering in Scotland. more >
February 2005
Northern Ireland Arts Council establishes new programme
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, in collaboration with the Community Relations Council, have established a new arts programme to encourage greater understanding and respect for cultural diversity in Northern Ireland. more >
Arts Council England announces £13.5m for new national centre
Arts Council England announced today that it is awarding a £13.5 million arts capital grant towards the redevelopment of the Grand Theatre in Leeds. more >
Center for Arts and Culture to Affiliate with George Mason University
The George Mason University and the US Center for Arts and Culture today announced their intention to affiliate. more >
Jowell announces pan-European Intellectual Property Conference
UK Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, and Trade and Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, today gave Government backing to a major pan-European conference on Intellectual Property, which will seek to find 21st century solutions to protect creativity, ideas and innovation. more >
French Minister for Culture launches “Age of Street Art” initiative
Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, French Minister for Culture and the Arts, today launched a new initiative focusing on street art within Marseilles. more >
US state arts spending holds steady
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in America has reported that legislative appropriation to state arts agencies has held steady for the 2005 fiscal year, despite a high degree of fiscal uncertainty in many states. more >
Americans for the Arts gives US budget verdict
The United States announced its budget for 2006 on the seventh of February, and Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch has issued a mixed response. more >
Australia Council forges ahead with restructure
The governing body of the Australia Council has resolved to reorganise the Council's structures and processes to make it a stronger catalyst for arts growth and development in Australia. more >
Scottish Arts Council launches new scheme to get ideas to market
The Scottish Arts Council has launched a new scheme aimed at helping young people in the creative industries get their ideas to the market place. more >
New Chair takes reigns in Scotland
After an eight-month search, Dr Richard Holloway, a seventy-one year old former bishop, has been appointed Chair of the Scottish Arts Council. more >
Philippines Commission for culture launches new program
As part of the Philippines’ National Arts Month this February, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will launch a new cultural service for the poor. more >
UNESCO establishes committee in response to cultural damage of tsunami
The South Asian tsunami caused great damage to cultural heritage in many parts of the world. In recognition of this, UNESCO has set up a management committee to respond. more >
Arts Council Chair talks arts and public value
Chair of Arts Council England, Sir Christopher Frayling, has delivered a speech to the Royal Society of the Arts entitled: 'The only trustworthy book: arts and public value'. more >
New partnership to support Gaelic arts
An innovative partnership between the Scottish Arts Council, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and the Gaelic Arts Strategic Development Forum will yield multiple new initiatives in support of Gaelic Arts in Scotland. more >
Research from Arts Council England shows increase in audience support, access
Arts Council England has released a new research report that charts public engagement with arts and culture across the country. more >
Ireland looks to sector to inform new arts approach
The Arts Council of Ireland is currently consulting with the arts community, key organisations, individuals and the public, to assist in preparing a new approach to supporting the arts. more >
Multiculturalism nod for Australia Council
The Australia Council for the Arts has been recognised for its commitment and contribution to multiculturalism by the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia. more >
Canada Council ‘delighted’ with Federal arts extension
The Canada Council for the Arts has welcomed budgetary news that a major federal funding initiative for culture – including $25 million a year for the Council itself – has been extended for the next five years. more >
Arts Council Wales responds to Welsh assembly funding announcement
Arts Council Wales has released an official statement in response to the Welsh assembly’s budget for culture, applauding the ‘historic increase’ in arts spending while addressing bigger picture concerns. more >
Arts Council of Northern Ireland ‘regenerates’ local communities with £2.4 million
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has announced funding of £2.4 million to spearhead an arts-driven regeneration of socially and economically depressed areas. more >
Culture Ireland launched to promote Irish arts abroad
The Arts Council of Ireland has welcomed the establishment of Culture Ireland, a new national agency to promote Irish arts overseas. more >
Arts Council extends bilingual services
Arts Council Ireland has unveiled a new bilingual email newsletter, making it the first state sponsored body to extend its bilingual reach through electronic information delivery. more >
March 2005
New cultural commission President appointed
Quebec Minister for Culture, Mrs. Line Beauchamp, has announced the appointment of Mr. Mario Dufour as President of the Commission of Cultural Assets. more >
Scotland launches new international art magazine
Scotland’s new international art magazine, Map, was launched on 1st March and is the result of major research undertaken by the Scottish Arts Council. more >
Report sheds light on youth access to the Arts
A new report from the Scottish Arts Council revealed that whilst young people participate in a wide range of arts activities there are also a number of factors that restrict them from participating in the Arts. more >
Poetry placed firmly on Welsh map
A £5,000 grant from Arts Council Wales will be used to fund the country’s first National Poet. more >
African and diasporic arts celebrated through new partnership
A new partnership between UK Arts agencies offers a broader picture of contemporary African and diasporic arts across London throughout 2005. more >
Welsh Government announces it will support Fellow for Wales
The Welsh Assembly Government has announced that it will be supporting a Fellowship for Wales within the Clore Leadership Programme. more >
Cash Boost for Early Years Arts Sector in Northern Ireland
NIPPA – the Early Years Organisation and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland have launched two projects that will inject £340,000 into the early years sector across Northern Ireland. more >
Arts centre project to make use of largest ever Capital grant
The project to build a new centre for the Arts in Omagh, partly funded by an Arts Council award of £4 million, takes a significant step forward. more >
Arts Councils celebrate partnership
An evening of celebration marks a new partnership agreement between Arts Council England and the National Arts Council of Singapore. more >
New Head of Arts for Canada Council
John Hobday, Director of the Canada Council for the Arts, has announced the appointment of André Courchesne to the role of Arts Division Director. more >
Việt Nam Cultural Profile aims to promote cultural exchange
The Ministry of Culture and Information of Viet Nam and Visiting Arts have launched a new online cultural guide to the arts, media and heritage of Viet Nam. more >
'Quick and easy' funding programme benefits artists in South Wales
Arts Council Wales has announced its latest round of lottery funding for the Arts, which will benefit individuals and organisations in South Wales. more >
Underway, first Irish Language Books Promotional Campaign
The Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon has welcomed the launch of the Seachtain na Gaeilge Irish Language Books Promotional Campaign 2005, a partnership initiative between the Arts Council, Foras na Gaeilge, CLÉ (the Irish bookpublishers' association) and ÁIS (the Irish book distribution agency). more >
Published, first report into impact of subsidy on independent publishing industry
Arts Council England has published the first ever report – From kitchen table to laptop - into the impact of subsidy on the independent publishing industry. more >
Australian Government releases national review of orchestras
Australian Minister for the Arts, Senator Rod Kemp, has released the findings of a national review into the the country's orchestras. more >
Creative industries strategy launched for key NZ region
Creative New Zealand has announced a boost for creative industries in Christchurch, thanks to a new strategy and a range of associated initiatives. more >
Arts Council releases CD-ROM 'Swiss Dance'
Pro Helvetia, the Arts Council for Switzerland, has launched a CD-ROM project on Swiss Dance, aimed at international cultural organisers. more >
Arts Council Wales Awards Grant to promote Youth Theatre
The Arts Council Wales took another step toward fostering a bilingual society when it announced a £1,846,165 award to the Arad Goch Theatre Company. more >
Arts Council releases Grants for the Arts evaluation report
An evaluation report of the first year of the Grants for the arts funding programme will help to improve the way in which the Arts Council channels funding to artists and arts organisations. more >
Arts Council announces three year funding strategy
Arts Council England has announced its budget strategy, ‘Hard Choice in a Tough Climate’, applicable until March 2008. more >
Danish Arts Council Earmarks EUR 800,000 for International Contemporary Arts Festival
The Danish Arts Council has earmarked DKK 6 million (approx. EUR 800,000) toward realizing its ambitious International Contemporary Arts Festival, 2007. more >
swixx - Switzerland`s Cultural Worlds Collide
Pro Helvetia’s swixx programme extends an invitation to discover the interplay of a wide variety of cultures in the context of contemporary art and culture in Switzerland. more >
Arts Council England Confirms £5 Million Boost To Liverpool
Arts Council England, North West has confirmed an additional £5 million to support the city and arts organisations on Merseyside in preparation for Liverpool becoming the European Capital of Culture 2008. more >
Australia Council to host arts in education symposium
Ahead of the UNESCO World Conference on Arts Education in Lisbon, Portugal in early 2006, Australia Council is to host a national symposium, Backing Our Creativity, exploring the role of the arts and creativity in educating children and young people. more >
Arts Council Ireland Director speaks out on Tax Exemption Scheme
Director of Arts Council Ireland, Mary Cloake, has released a statement concerning the national Artists' Exemption Scheme. more >
Arts Council welcomes Select Committee report on theatre
Arts Council England has welcomed the publication of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s report on theatre. more >
New Initiatives to Support Gaelic Arts
The Gaelic Arts Strategic Development Programme has announced a stream of new initiatives aimed at enhancing the profile of the Gaelic Arts and artists. more >
Road map leads to Otago arts
The publishers of the award-winning 'Otago Arts Guide', have now launched arts road maps to guide people through the region and show them where artists are located along the various art trails in Otago. more >
April 2005
French Minister announces shake-up of cinema funding regulations
The Minister for Culture and Communication, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, has announced there will be funding for non-European film companies but the conditions under which funding will be made available are yet to be established. more >
Six of the best awarded Scottish Arts Council funding
Six arts projects in Scotland have been awarded Scottish Arts Council National Lottery funding to help develop their plans. more >
Arts Council Ireland supports independent arts publishers
Arts Council Ireland has announced a new scheme to assist independent publishing houses in the creation and dissemination of publications of a specialist, cultural and artistic nature. more >
Australia Council approves major changes
The governing body of the Australia Council has responded to mounting challenges for the arts by approving major changes to the organisation's structures and processes. more >
Irish Council’s work together, Four now
Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland prepare for exhibition to celebrate art on the island of Ireland. more >
Creative New Zealand invite nominations for Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement
Individuals, groups and organisations are invited to nominate their choice of an outstanding New Zealand writer in the genres of poetry, fiction and non-fiction for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement 2005. more >
National Arts Council Singapore announces Festival details
The National Arts Council of Singapore has announced details of the 2005 Singapore Arts Festival international arts festival. more >
Cayman National Cultural Foundation announces Cayfest 2005
Cayman National Cultural Foundation is preparing to launch Cayfest, the annual Cayman Islands National Festival of the Arts, with events held to be held throughout Grand Cayman’s various districts and Cayman Brac. more >
Arts Council and Irish Film Board launch new documentary film fund
The Arts Council and The Irish Film Board are calling for proposals for a new production fund entitled Documenting the Arts. more >
Scottish Arts Council launch new fund for youth arts
In response to a Scottish Arts Council report, “Expressing Themselves: National Youth Consultation on the Arts”, the Council and Young Scot have launched a joint initiative to provide financial support for young people involved in arts and to encourage them to make the most of their creative talents. more >
Canada Council for the Arts launches new program for emerging Aboriginal writers
The Canada Council for the Arts has launched a new program to encourage the artistic development of emerging Aboriginal writers and storytellers. more >
Australia and Indonesia collaborate on arts program
The Australia Council has teamed with The Australia Indonesia Institute to launch the new Saraswati Arts Program, named after the Indonesian goddess of learning and the arts, that provides up to $20,000 for up to 10 projects per annum to organisations and individuals. more >
New initiative paves way for arts in Scottish schools
The Scottish Arts Council has unveiled a unique arts education initiative that will see school students learning maths using dance, or history through visual art. more >
Canada Council for the Arts gets boost in translations
The Canada Council for the Arts has announced that the Department of Canadian Heritage will contribute an additional $500,000 in 2005-2006 for the translation of works by Canadian authors. more >
Arts Council Wales launches arts and disability strategy for Wales
As the attending arts population in Wales continues to grow, The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) is to launch Moving Beyond, a new arts and disability strategy to improve access to venues and performances across the country. more >
National Endowment for the Arts Announces $61 Million in Grants
More than 800 grants totaling more than $61 million dollars have been awarded to national, regional, state, and local arts organizations across the country by the National Endowment for the Arts. more >
New agreement to boost animation seen on French TV
Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, Minister of culture and communication, has announced the signing of a partnership agreement between France Televisions and The Syndicate of French Animation Professionals. more >
Canada Council for the Arts contributes $100,000 to Montreal, World Book Capital
The Canada Council for the Arts has announced it will contribute $100,000 to Montreal, World Book Capital. The funds will help support activities organized for the event’s celebrations this year. more >
Arts Council of Northern Ireland urges arts sector to respond to government consultation
Following the announcement of the Review of Public Administration consultation, Arts Council of Northern Ireland has urged the arts sector to respond. more >
NEA Launches National Jazz Masters Tour
Audiences across the United States will have opportunities to hear and meet some of America's most legendary musicians: the winners of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award. more >
Wales Appoints First National Poet
After a six year campaign, Wales has appointed Gwyneth Lewis as its first National Poet thanks to a National Lottery grant from The Arts Council of Wales. more >
May 2005
£1.4 million to help artists enrich ‘culture-poor’
Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson and Scottish Arts Council Chairman Richard Holloway have announced an ambitious National Lottery-funded £1.4 million project to enable artists to take their work into communities. more >
Cultural Cinema Consortium announce funding for Art House Cinema
The Cultural Cinema Consortium - a joint initiative of the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board - have announced that capital investment, funding valued at €750,000, each has been offered to two cinema venues - Solas in Galway and the new Light and House@Smithfield development in Dublin. more >
Twelve new members elected to Aosdána
Twelve new members were elected today to Aosdána, the affiliation of creative artists in Ireland, bringing its total membership to 210. more >
New Arts RiPPA released
The Australia Council for the Arts has released the 20th edition of Arts RiPPA: Arts Research in Progress or Planned Across Australia. This digest profiles over 90 arts and cultural research projects currently underway across Australia. more >
NEA Announces 2005 Grants For Arts on Radio & Television
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced that it will award nearly $3.85 million through 47 grants in the Arts on Radio & Television Grants category. more >
NEA plan to create teacher models
The National Endowment for the Arts has announced the first 12 recipients of its inaugural Teacher Institute Awards, part of a broader plan to forge workable models for arts education in the United States. more >
Minor literature in search of recognition
Pro-Helvetia sponsored translations offer the hope of international sales to Romansh authors who otherwise find themselves 'living off crumbs.' more >
Romania Announces New National Fund for Culture
Romania's Ministry of Cultural and Religious Affairs has announced the formation of a new national fund for culture. more >
New Zealand prepares for inaugural international human rights film festival
A film festival, organised by the Human Rights Network of Aotearoa New Zealand, will bring documentaries and dramas to the big screen in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. more >
Pro Helvetia Supports Romansh Writers With Translations
Pro Helvetia has been working to promote Switzerland’s minority language writers by providing opportunities for translations to introduce writers working in Romansh to an audience beyond Swiss borders. more >
Key NEA program expands
The National Endowment for the Arts initiative, Shakespeare in American Communities, is growing its ranks, with the number of arts companies involved rising from 21 to 35 across 12 months, and a corresponding education program launched. more >
Welsh local arts expenditure revealed
A new survey conducted by The Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Local Government Association illuminates the extent, and the reach of partnership funding to support the arts across the region. more >
New literature translation initiative from NEA
Following a successful pilot initiative, developed with the Embassy of Greece, the National Endowment of the Arts has launched the NEA International Literature Awards to support increased access to quality foreign literary work in translation. more >
Independent career development supported by new Visual Arts program
Following extensive consultations with artists across the country, the Canada Council for the Arts has approved a new program that changes the way grants are awarded to visual artists. more >
NEA Announces International Exhibitions Advisory Committee
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced the members of its newly formed Federal Advisory Committee on International Exhibitions. more >
Arts Council Support Helps Fire Up Public About Clay
Europe’s leading potters and ceramic artists recently gathered to exhibit their work at ClayArt 2005 at Llanrhaedr Hall, Denbigh. The event, which featured an extensive and exciting variety of new works, was supported by a £7,559 grant from The Arts Council of Wales. more >
Creative New Zealand sponsored awards acknowledge broadcast arts journalism
At the 2005 Qantas Media Awards held in Auckland on 20th May, broadcast journalists were acknowledged for their contribution to New Zealand arts journalism. more >
All Tuned Up and Ready to Go
The Scottish Arts Council 2005/06 Tune Up series of live music tours is will give audiences across Scotland the chance to experience music from Rajasthan, Guinea, Japan and France as well as some of the best music from Scotland and the UK. more >
New Zealand decorative arts wins a national home
The New Zealand Government has approved nearly $2 million to safeguard works by the country’s leading 20th and 21st century decorative artists. more >
Euro Ministers attend meeting for a cultural Europe
Fifteen European Ministers of Culture and more than 500 artists and cultural movers and shakers came together for the “Meeting for a Cultural Europe" on 2nd and 3rd May at the Comédie-Française in Paris. more >
France prompts EU Council to act against incitement to hate
Under pressure from France, the Council of Ministers for Culture and Communication has mobilized to combat the broadcasting of television programs inciting racial hatred originating in countries outside European Union. more >
Americans for the Arts to provide web survey service
Americans for the Arts has launched a web-based survey research service aimed specifically at its members in the arts sector. more >
National Endowment for the Arts benefits from budget increase
An amendment to increase funds for the National Endowment for the Arts by $10 million has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. more >
Culture Ministers in South East Europe sign charter
The Belgrade based BalkanKult Foundation, reports that a Culture Ministers from South East Europe Culture have signed a charter to form a new council. more >
Seychelles unveils new cultural policy
Seychelles Minister for Local Government, Sport and Culture, Sylvette Pool, has launched a Cultural Policy for the Republic of Seychelles. more >
New initiative announced for traditional arts in Ireland
Ireland’s traditional arts community has been allocated funding to the value of €3 million in 2006, representing a four-fold increase on the level of funding in 2005. The funding was announced in conjunction with the Arts Council’s decision to implement a new three-year initiative for the traditional arts. more >
Links between architecture and disability to be explored online
A new project initiated by Arts Council England Inside will explore the relationship between disability and architecture by looking at the responses of disabled artists. more >
Agencies merge to form major new arts marketing agency
The merger of three separate agencies from south and west Wales sees the creation of a major new arts marketing agency. The merger came as the result of an initiative proposed by the Arts Council of Wales initiative and backing from local authorities. more >
Asialink and Australia Council share a dance with Japan
Asialink, in partnership with Australia Council, has selected five outstanding Australian choreographers to develop new collaborative works in Japan over the next two years. more >
Art helps to strengthen links between Spain and Morocco
The ministers of Culture for Spain and Morocco have jointly announced a new cultural program entitled “The time of Spain in Morocco and Morocco in Spain 2005”. more >
June 2005
Creative New Zealand supports contemporary bands
New grants announced by Creative New Zealand include support for international tours by some of the country’s most promising bands. more >
Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communication announces new plan
The Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communication has announced it new Strategic Plan which sets out the Ministry's vision for the period 2005-2008. more >
Arts Council draft strategy consultation still open
The Arts Council aims to publish its new strategy in September. As part of the second phase of consultation about this document, the Council will be accepting submissions on its draft strategy until 1 July 2005. more >
Declaration favours culture in Madrid
Ministers who participated in the Madrid World Summit of Cultural Ministers in June have signed the Madrid Declaration in favour of cultural diversity. more >
Ministry provides fine setting for international exhibit
Minister for Culture and Communication, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres has welcomed the initiative taken by Brazilians in favour of the Gol de Letra Association in France, within the context of the current Year of Brazil initiative. more >
Arts Councils launch survey of Black and Asian poets
A survey commissioned by the Arts Councils of England, Scotland and Wales will assess publishing opportunities for Black and Asian poets. more >
Poets and scientists team up for Smash Palace
A collaboration between award-winning scientist Paul Callaghan and poet Bill Manhire is among four new projects funded through the New Zealand Government’s $700,000 Smash Palace Fund. more >
Wales dances on
To promote dance across the nation and beyond, Wales Arts International is collaborating with the dance sector throughout 2005 on a series of encounters between artists and organisations in Wales and their UK and international contemporaries. more >
Singapore to host major contemporary art event
The National Arts Council of Singapore has announced that the country’s first visual arts biennale will be held in September 2006. more >
Art for Scotland
Supported by funds from the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council, the National Collecting Scheme for Scotland, (NCSS) has acquired forty new works of contemporary visual and applied art for Scottish museum collections. more >
Public art given a handbook in Northern Ireland
The Arts Council for Northern Ireland has released its Public Art Handbook for Northern Ireland documenting in pictures and words some of the extraordinary works of art that have come to shape the city. more >
Arts Council young people's award receives accreditation
Arts Council England has announced that its young people’s Arts Award, to be launched in October, is the first youth arts leadership scheme to be accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). more >
Arts Council for Wales Loan Scheme Catches the Eye
After 23 years the Arts Council Wales has decided to re-brand its innovative interest-free Principality Collectorplan art purchasing scheme. more >
Canada Council and PEN Canada to fund residency for writer in exile
The Canada Council for the Arts has united with PEN Canada to fund a residency at a Canadian university for writer in exile Genc Tirana. more >
International opportunity for youth to make some NOISE
New funding from the Australian Government sees the re-launch of NOISE, a year-long national youth arts initiative that will see collaborations between young international artists. more >
Dance Critics Chosen for NEA Arts Journalism Institute
Names have been announced of 16 new participants who will take part in the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) innovative $1 million initiative which provides intensive training for arts journalists and editors who work outside the country's major media markets. more >
Restoration begins at the Franco-American National Museum
The French Ministry of Culture and Communication has announced the start of the second phase of an important restoration campaign involving the extension of the Franco-American National Museum at the castle of Blérancourt. more >
Arts Council welcomes boost for traditional arts
The Arts Council has welcomed the announcement by Minister John O’Donoghue of €500,000 additional funding earmarked for the development of traditional arts. more >
July 2005
Arts Council to support traditional arts
The Arts Council for Ireland has announced it will implement a 3-year Traditional Arts Initiative, intended to prioritise the traditional arts toward realising its ambition of fully mainstreaming the traditional arts within the Councils activities. more >
NEA brings music to Marines ears
On July 4th, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will help more than 10,000 Marines and their families at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, celebrate the holiday with a special performance of American musical theater and opera. more >
Arts Council Encourages Votes for Best of Scottish
The Scottish Arts Council is encouraging Scottish arts projects to register for The National Lottery Awards which are a focal point of The National Lottery Day celebrations taking place in the week leading up to 5 November 2005. more >
Richard Demarco to be recorded for posterity
The Scottish Arts Council is to sponsor a recording of the life story of Richard Demarco that will become part of the British Library Sound Archive’s National Life Story Collection (NLSC). more >
All for one to support megalithic sites
The French Minister for Culture and Communication, M. Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, has signed an official agreement for a constitutive convention for the Pooling of Public Cultural Interest, entitled 'Memory of Stones: Megaliths in Morbihan'. more >
Steps Taken Toward Creation of European Digital Library
The French Minister for Culture and Communication, M. Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, has established a "pilot committee aimed at the creation of a European digital library.” more >
Spanish Ministry Provides Cultural Boost
The Spanish Ministry for Public Works has announced that it will contribute €17.3 million toward the financing of 54 projects which are public works or related heritage works that have historical or artistic value. more >
National Carnival Arts Strategy for England
Arts Council England has announced the publication of its National Carnival Arts Strategy which sets out how the Arts Council will support the cultural, artistic and professional development of carnival arts over the next two years. more >
NEA Advisors Convene 155th Meeting
The advisory body of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Council for the Arts, convened its 155th meeting on 14th July. more >
Research Results Support Scottish Art
The findings from new research commissioned by the Scottish Arts Council reveal there is widespread support for the arts nationally. more >
Composer and Photographer to Capture Essence of Antarctica
Thanks to the partnership between Creative New Zealand and Antarctica New Zealand composer Gareth Farr and photographer Megan Jenkinson will travel to Antarctica during the summer as the 2005 Antarctic Arts Fellows, under the Artists to Antarctica Programme. more >
New Zealand sounds a tune for International Music Market
As part of Creative New Zealand’s push to build international audiences and markets for New Zealand artists, an acclaimed singer/songwriter and an exponent of traditional ancient Maori music will be showcased at the Australian International Music Market. more >
Arts Council invites comments on emergent themes from public meetings
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has published its Summary of Public Meetings document which summarizes the themes that emerged from a series of meetings held with the arts sector across the country during May and June. more >
Scotland celebrates success of Own Art scheme
Within six months of establishing the Scottish Arts Council’s Own Arts scheme, more than 140 customers have made use of interest free loans offered by the scheme to purchase new works of contemporary art and craft worth £84,000. more >
Arts Council England calls for ideas on Cultural Leadership Programme
Arts Council England has announced the publication of Cultural Leadership Programme – A call for ideas which outlines the scope of a proposed cultural leadership programme, following the Government’s commitment of £12 million to promote leadership skills within the cultural sector. more >
Wales: Bettered by Arts
A new publication by Arts Council of Wales, The Arts Work, serves to highlight the significant role played by the arts in the social and economic life of Wales. more >
NEA announces new Director of Research and Analysis
The National Endowment for the Arts has announced that Harvard University professor Karen Painter will assume the role of Director of Research and Analysis in September 2005. more >
Partnership agreement to benefit Welsh arts
Arts Council Wales and Welsh Local Authorities have signed a formal partnership in order to better promote the arts in Wales. more >
‘Youth Matters’ says Arts Council England
Arts Council England has issued a call to all cultural sector organisations to respond to Youth Matters, the Government's green paper which addresses key issues relating to how the arts support and challenge teenagers. more >
Spanish audiovisual arts receive business boost
The Government has announced it has pledged the Spanish Institute for Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA), an autonomous entity attached to the Spanish ministry for culture, €3 million to help meet the costs of setting up the new Audiovisual Reciprocal Bond Company (Sociedad de Garantía Recíproca del Audiovisual, SGR). more >
August 2005
President Bush announces nomination of NEA executive
President George W. Bush has nominated the managing director of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Mark Hofflund, to serve on the National Council on the Arts, the advisory body of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). more >
Lottery Boost for Northern Irish Arts
Arts in Northern will benefit from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s announcement of £1.6 million of funding made available through the National Lottery Fund. more >
Arts and media partnership receives Arts Council award
The talent behind an innovative creative partnership using art to promote water conservation and environmental sustainability in Brisbane, has been awarded the country’s prestigious Australia Council Media Arts Award. more >
Ethiopian cultural policy available online
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Cultural Policy is now available online. more >
Yorkshire and the Humber receive grants for the arts
Arts Council England has announced its latest rounds of Grants for the arts awards in Yorkshire and the Humber region. more >
National Endowment for the Arts translates into benefits for prose and poetry
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced that it will award 13 grants for the translation, into English, of works of prose and poetry from eight other languages. more >
Australia Council presents award for best new Australian work
Actor and playwright Tony Briggs has been awarded the 2005 Helpmann Award for Best New Australian Work for his play The Sapphires. more >
Arts Council England awards grants for West Midlands arts
The Arts Council England has announced that it has awarded £200,000 to local arts projects through its Grants for the arts awards. more >
Artists encouraged to apply for individual awards
Arts Council Wales (ACW) is encouraging artists creating new and experimental work to apply for a bursary of £25,000 through its Creative Wales Awards scheme. more >
Shortlist chosen for Danish Arts Council festival funding
The Danish Arts Council has announced the allocation of development funding for three short-listed proposals, one of which will receive major funding in order for the project to be realised during an International Festival of Contemporary Art to be held in 2007-2008. more >
Maori art meets 20,000 Americans
Toi Maori Aotearoa is celebrating: more than 20,000 people had seen the exhibition Toi Maori: Art from the Maori people of New Zealand in San Francisco by the exhibition’s final day at the Yerba Buena Centre for the Arts in San Francisco. more >
Increase in arts funding approved
On August 2, 2005, with Congress in recess, President Bush signed into law H.R. 2361, the FY06 Interior Appropriations Bill, with an increase of $5 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). more >
Creative New Zealand calls for applicants to enter Antarctica
Creative New Zealand has announced that the deadline for receipt of applications to its Artists to Antarctica programme, run in partnership with Antarctica New Zealand, ends on 30 September 2005. more >
Report Recommends Japan Focus on Pop Culture, Martial Arts
The Council on the Promotion of Cultural Diplomacy, established in December last year by Prime Minister Koizumi to advise on how Japanese culture should be promoted overseas, has compiled and delivered its initial report. more >
Arts Council England takes a tough stand on attacks against freedom of artistic expression
Kim Evans, Executive Director of Arts at Arts Council England, has responded to the misleading statements that have been made about the Arts Council’s decision not to give financial support to the tour of 'Jerry Springer - The Opera'. more >
National Endowment for the Arts supports US artists in the EU
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced the winners of 12 grants that will enable the recipients to perform at festivals in Europe. more >
Arts Council supports Seven Stories, a celebration of children’s literature
An ambitious new £6.5 million project will provide an enthralling visitor experience around the theme of celebrating children’s literature. more >
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Pioneers Online Grant Application
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has announced that it is leading the way in using the internet to provide key services, by establishing an on-line application facility for those seeking arts funding. more >
Scottish Arts Council encourages entries for country’s premier arts awards
The Scottish Arts Council is encouraging the country’s established artists to apply for the 2006 Scottish Arts Council Creative Scotland Awards - Scotland’s most prestigious arts awards. more >
NEA announces appointment of new Director of Literature
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has appointed San Francisco Chronicle Book Critic David Kipen as the agency's Director of Literature. more >
Creative New Zealand awards bravery in sponsor’s artistic vision
In recognition of the visionary and risky nature of its support of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tamaki exhibition, Mixed-Up Childhood, Creative New Zealand announced that the winner of the 2005 Creative New Zealand Award for Bravery is commercial law firm Simpson Grierson. more >
Australia Council offers support for dance exports
The Australia Council has announced it will be offering assistance to 'export ready' dance companies wishing to attend the Association of Performing Arts Presenters' (APAP) Conference, held in New York from 21 - 24 January 2006. more >
Code of Practice for New Zealand artists to be unveiled
Industry body Artists Alliance is preparing to launch a new Code of Practice that ‘aims to build consistent, ethical practice among artists, dealers and gallery operators.’ more >
ICAA gives Spanish film welcome shot in the arm
August was a good month for Spanish filmmakers with the Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA) announcing significant new funding for a raft of new productions. more >
September 2005
Youth orchestral maneuvers reinstated
After ten years campaigning by the North Wales local education authorities music services, the The North Wales Youth Orchestra (NWYO) has finally been reinstated. The decision follows additional pressure instigated by a music forum facilitated by the Arts Council of Wales, North Wales office. more >
Artistic director embarks on the Clore
As a result of support by The Arts Council of Wales (ACW) and the Assembly Government, Simon Harris has embarked on the year-long Clore Fellowship Leadership Programme, established to promote leadership in the arts. more >
Public art focus for Arts Council of Northern Ireland
There will be more public art commissions in Northern Ireland after the Arts Council of Northern Ireland announced it has set aside £750,000 of National Lottery money for a new funding programme. more >
Arts Council opens international doors for Ulster performance poet
With assistance from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, performance poet Carol Kelly will host two workshops at the Workman’s Theatre in Toronto, Canada. more >
Survey results useful for development of the arts
A survey commissioned by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland should enable artists and administrators to better focus their efforts to engage audiences. more >
New fund launched under Arts Council’s Traditional Arts Initiative
Arts Council Ireland has launched its new Deis funding scheme under the auspices of its Traditional Arts Initiative 2005-2008. The scheme seeks to encourage and facilitate the traditional arts community to obtain increased funding from the Arts Council, so it is appropriate that ‘deis’ means ‘opportunity’ in Irish. more >
Wellington to host international South Project
The South Project, a collective of artists and writers based in the southern hemisphere, has announced a 2 day event scheduled for October, supported by funding from Creative New Zealand. more >
Canada Council announces winners of Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Awards 2005
The Canada Council for the Arts has announced the seven winners of its prestigious Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Awards for 2005. more >
Scottish Arts Council announces major funding for Glasgow redevelopment
The Scottish Arts Council has announced that it has approved a National Lottery capital award, worth £1.5 million, towards the development of a visual arts centre on Glasgow's King Street. more >
New law for Swiss culture and the arts
Five years after the Swiss government’s authority in matters concerning cultural policy was enshrined in the constitution, a parliamentary bill containing a new statutory instrument on the promotion of culture (KfG) and extensive amendments to the Pro Helvetia Act (PHG) has been submitted for public appraisal. more >
Arts Council England helps get children writing
The Arts Council England, in association with popular BBC children's television programme Blue Peter, has launched a national children’s writing competition. more >
Arts Council of Wales reignites flame for the Torch Theatre Development Project
Following negotiations with the Arts Council of Wales the £5.2 million Torch Theatre Development Project is back on track. more >
Canada Council supports architectural and artistic innovation
The Canada Council for the Arts has awarded the Professional Prix de Rome in Architecture to an innovative architect in pursuit of new ways to control heat and light. more >
Arts Council provides another boost for West Midlands arts
Over £250,000 in new funding has been awarded to 26 arts projects in Birmingham and the West Midlands through the Grants for the Arts Awards scheme. more >
Canada Council chair calls for more funding
The new chair of the Canada Council, Karen Kain, has issued a statement calling for increased arts funding in order to sustain the impressive growth of the arts in Canada. more >
NEA Bookmobiles aim to promote universal access to all knowledge
In partnership with its corporate sponsor, Freddie Mac, the National Endowment for the Arts has announced that visitors to the National Book Festival in Washington DC on 24th September, would also be able to visit the Internet Archive Bookmobile. more >
Creative New Zealand helps celebrate Maori literature
Thanks to annual funding from Creative New Zealand, the 2005 Maori Writers Festival will mark another year in which Maori literature has continued to win more support at home and abroad. more >
Arts Council consults for development of future strategy
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has announced it will be launching a new public consultation process to harvest comments that will feed into the development of its future Strategic Plan that will outline proposed Council activities for the period 2006 – 2011. more >
Armagh redevelopment wins Civic Trust Special Award
The Mall in Armagh City has been awarded the 2005 Civic Trust Northern Ireland Public Realm Special Award, sponsored by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. more >
Macedonian Ministry launches new cultural portal
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia recently launched its new website. more >
October 2005
Arts Council increases funding for major arts organisations
Australia Council for the Arts has announced a 2.3% funding increase for 145 organisations that currently recieve funding on a triennial basis. more >
Partners support artists across Scotland
The Scottish Arts Council has announced grant awards totaling more than £750,000 have been awarded to support artists-in-residence through it’s Partners initiative. more >
Arts Council CD waters musical roots
Beyond its own borders Northern Ireland is not exactly renowned for its musical accomplishments but a new CD entitled ‘New Folk, Roots and Traditional Music from Northern Ireland’ is aiming to raise the profile of some of the country’s best musicians. more >
New President as Swiss Arts Council shrinks
A new President signals a major government initiated reshuffle of Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia. more >
Arts Council England launches young people's Arts Award in London
At a function held at the Royal Opera House last month, Arts Council England officially launched the national young people's Arts Awards.more >
November 2005
Danish Arts Council support overseas residencies
The Literature Committee of the Danish Arts Council has announced support to enable two Danish writers to take up artists' residencies in New York. more >
Pro Helvetia supports language revival with children's festival
Pro Helvetia has been praising the virtues of a festival seeking to celebrate children’s literature that will take place in Domat/Ems in the Canton of Grison from the 11th to 13th November. more >
Arts Council England announces new appointees
Arts Council England regional offices are set to benefit from the appointment of two new members to the national arts council. more >
Arts Council report reveals conditions for theatre practitioners in Ireland
The Arts Council of Ireland has launched its report ‘Socio Economic Conditions of Theatre Practitioners in Ireland.’ The publication of the report, which focuses on the financial pressures faced by the nation’s theatre practitioners, coincides with the Arts Council’s attempts to leverage more government funding for the arts in 2006. more >
Arts Council fights for artists' tax exemption
A delegation from the Arts Council of Ireland has urged the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, to keep the artists’ tax exemption. The 36-year old scheme may be scrapped, which would lead to possible flight of local artists and emerging artists would feel the pinch the most. more >
Asian ministers sign pact
22 different Asian countries took part in a historic signing recently, with the ministers of cultural affairs gathering in China for the Cultural Asia Ministerial Forum. more >
£635,000 to go to first national youth dance programme
The Arts Council England is creating a new award of £635,000 to support Youth Dance England. The money will go towards developing the first national development programme for youth dance. The award is the largest Arts Council England grant for the arts for national awards. more >
New director for Australia Council for the Arts
The Australia Council for the Arts has appointed a new director to the Strategic Development for Community Partnerships board. more >
NEA offers high school students poetry
The National Endowment for the Arts has created a new poetry competition for high school students in America. The competition, 'Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest', will begin next year, and will see high school students competing in each state capital region. The finals will take place in Washington D.C. on 16th May 2006. more >
Arts Council of Ireland receives €72.3 million
The Irish Government will be granting the Arts Council of Ireland €72.3 million for 2006. This is a significant increase in funds, with last year’s budget of €61 million. A supplementary grant of €500,000 was also given to the Council this year for traditional arts. more >
Singapore Culture Awards open
In October of this year, 12 artists were awarded Cultural Medallions in Singapore from the National Arts Council. The Medallions have four categories: literary arts, performing arts, visual arts, and film. more >
Arts Council urges artists to reply to 2006/7 budget
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is seeking artists and cultural organisations to respond to the latest arts budget, which was published in October 2005. The Council, who feels that the region will be one of the least funded arts sectors in the UK, is worried that it would impact its ability to create a “world class Northern Ireland”. more >
Call for submissions to Cultural Trends
Cultural Trends is a journal focusing on empirical analyses of key trends in the cultural sector and cultural policy. The journal is planning to focus on some specific themes over the next 18 months and is inviting proposals for papers. more >
French Minister visits Hungary
Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, French Minister of Culture and Communication, recently went to Hungary for a conference dedicated to culture and European integration. more >
New culture program in Canada
A launching of the Cultural Investment Program recently aims to encourage private individuals, companies and foundations to donate more liberally to organisations belonging to the domain of culture and communication. more >
Canada Council “thrilled” by funding announcement
The Canada Council has welcomed a "thrilling" $306.5 million funding boost to their budget. more >
Australia Council appoints members
The Australia Council has recently announced the appointments of its Multicultural Advisory Committee. The Committee develops strategies and monitors the Council’s Arts in a Multicultural Australia policy, as well as recommending directions to the Council on issues that will affect cultural diversity in the arts. more >
Dance Plan Germany
The Federal Cultural Foundation's Dance Plan Germany. more >
Bogota meeting on arts and education
On 28th to 30th November in Bogota, Colombia, the Latin American Regional Conference on Artistic Education, "Toward Quality Artistic Education: Challenges and Opportunities", brought together for the first time government experts on cultural and educational policies from around the region. more >
Director to Seville Archives appointed
María Isabel Simó Rodríguez was appointed as the director of the Indias Archives (Seville). The selection of María Isabel Simó was made through an open competition published in the Official State Bulletin last October 15th. more >
Wales arts gets £385,096
Arts groups throughout Wales will receive £385,096 from the Welsh Assembly Government. The money, distributed through the Arts Council of Wales, will aim to increase the number of people who participate in the arts. more >
December 2005
National Endowment for the Arts Announces Challenge America Grants
The National Endowment for the Arts announces grant awards totaling $1,350,000 through the Challenge America: Reaching Every Community program. more >
Irish Arts Council gets more funds
The Irish Arts Council has been pleased to hear that Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue, has given additional funding of €5.23 million to the Arts Council. more >
New research project into Participatory Arts in Scotland
Scottish Arts Council in partnership with The Mental Health Foundation, and supported by the National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing, is currently recruiting projects for research into Participatory Arts Projects across Scotland, called Creative Connections. more >
Attorney General still considering resale royalty
The Australian Government is in discussion about whether to introduce a resale royalty on secondary visual art sales. The decision has been postponed until next year, despite the fact that Attorney-General Philip Ruddock had said that the decision would be made by Christmas 2005. more >
New virtual bookshop open for business
BooksfromScotland.com has been developed by the Scottish Publishers Association. It will be the largest source in the world for anyone wanting to find out about and buy fiction and non-fiction books from Scotland and about Scotland. more >
Wales national anthem not stamped
The Welsh Royal Mail have upset the public, by not commemorating the 150th anniversary of Wales' national anthem with special stamps. The Royal Mail said the schedule for 2006 was full, and it was too late to produce the stamps for the day. more >
Libya in trouble over satellites
Both Britain and the US have complained to Libya officials after two international satellites were illegally jammed. TV, radio and other communication channels were affected, including digital broadcasts by CNN International, BBC World, US sports channels and US military and diplomatic channels. more >
£452m private arts funds
£452m has gone to the arts in England from the private sector. A report released by charity Arts & Business has revealed that this figured has jumped from £393m. However, the arts industry is now concerned that the figures will be used by the Government as an excuse to slash arts subsidies. more >
Denmark creates new music portal
The Danish Arts Agency, under the Danish Ministry of Culture, has created a new online portal for music. more >
NESTA funds Scottish enterprises
NESTA will be investing funds into Scottish innovation, with early stage business support and seed money. more >
Irish Arts Council disappointed on tax plans
The Arts Council of Ireland has welcomed news that the artists’ tax exemption scheme is to remain, but says it is disappointed that the exemption is to be capped at €250 000 in any one tax year. more >
Lib Democrat attacks ACE
Liberal Democrat spokesman for culture, media and sport Don Foster recently attacked the Arts Council England for its record on ethnic minorities. The attack came after the publication of ACE’s annual report, which revealed that ethnic minority attendance and participation has fallen over the past 4 years. more >
Minister commits to heritage museum
The Minister of National Development, Investment and Culture for Belize, Mark Espat, has recently signed an agreement which will renew the government’s support for the National Institute of Culture and History’s Gulisi Garifuna Museum. more >
£3.1m grant to N Wales centre world leader
Denbighshire County Council in Wales has received £3.1 million from the Arts Council of Wales for the continuing transformation of the Ruthin Craft Centre. The lottery grant will allow the centre to become an international place for artists, in what is the biggest lottery grant made by the ACW. more >
Heritage needs to be protected says Chinese official
The head of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage in China, Shan Jixiang, has stated that the country has a long way to go towards protecting heritage sites. more >
ABC continues in Asia-Pacific
The ABC in Australia has been selected as the preferred provider to continue to run Australia’s Asia Pacific television service. The announcement was made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Alexander Downer MP. more >
New goals for Irish Arts Council
The Arts Council of Ireland has published a new strategy for the board. It offers goals for the period of 2006 to 2010, and was presented to Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O’Donoghue. more >
£5.6 million of culture saved
The British Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has published a report on the export controls on objects of cultural interest. During the period between the 1st of May 2004 and the 30th of April 2005, recommendations were made on the export of 25 objects of heritage. more >
FCC delays regulations
The Federal Communications Commission in America has recently announced that new regulations to children’s television will not take effect in the new year. Rules to be put in place to ensure educational programming and a protection from excessive and inappropriate commercials have been delayed. more >
China/Swiss project renews Tibetan temple
A joint China and Switzerland project has been completed, with the Ramoqe Temple in Tibet being restored. more >
China to build 300 new museums
China is planning to build another 300 museums in the coming five years. more >
French Ministry releases culture budget
The French Ministry for Culture and Communications has released its budget for 2006. With a total of nearly €3 billion budgeted for 2006, the Ministry's budget will be 4.9 percent higher than in 2005. more >
NEA's new reading program
The National Endowment for the Arts in America has introduced a new national initiative, entitled The Big Read. The initiative is in pilot phase, and aims to encourage communities to come together, read, and discuss one book. Ten organisations have received $US 15 000 to $40 000, to carry out four to six week programs. more >
€350,000 awarded to Irish festivals
The Irish Arts Council has awarded €350 000 to small events and festivals. Each project has received up to €20 000, double what was awarded last year. more >
Taiwan Writers Translation Series published
The Council for Cultural Affairs for Taiwan will publish an English version of Taiwan Literature by Yeh Shih-t'ao. Yeh is known for his interpretations of Taiwanese literary history. This will be the fourth publication as part of the CCA's Taiwan Writers Translation Series. more >
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