National Arts Agency News in April 2009
Show all of 2009
The 8th Regional Meeting of Mercosur Cultural took place in Colombia
The implementation of ‘Mercosur’s Seal’ that will allow free circulation of goods and services among member countries was the highlight of discussions. more >
Address by the President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, at the Freedom Day celebrations
President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, at the Freedom Day celebrations stated "On this special day we should all celebrate our maturing constitutional democracy whose seeds we planted back in April 27 1994. This nation has indeed trudged a very long way from an embittered and divided past to a society based on equality, dignity and respect for human rights". more >
Appointment of new Chief Executive
The State Services Commissioner, Iain Rennie, today announced the appointment of Lewis Holden to the position of Chief Executive of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. more >
Arts Council’s event guide ready for launch
The Arts Council is requesting all funded organisations and individuals to submit public events for inclusion in a new online guide. The site is already “live”, http://events.artscouncil.ie, and will be formally launched shortly. The guide will be widely advertised and promoted. more >
DCAL relocates to Causeway Exchange
The Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure today relocates to its new headquarters premises at Causeway Exchange in Bedford Street, Belfast. more >
Design champion review
A report on the first review of Scotland's design champion, Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS), has been published today. The Scottish Government's policy and financial management review of A+DS concludes that there remains a clear role for the national body in promoting good quality design. more >
Eight new projects supported by Scottish Arts Council Public Art Fund
Public art projects to be developed in locations throughout Scotland have been given a boost thanks to funding from the Scottish Arts Council’s new Public Art Fund. A total of £466k of National Lottery funds have been allocated to the projects which will investigate the possibilities for public art within beaches, woodland, schools, parks and a library, and include practice such as dance, performance, music and film along with visual arts. more >
First recipients of the Creative Wales Ambassadors Awards announced today
This year a further dimension was added to the Creative Wales Awards Ceremony, (April 29, 2009), with the inclusion of the new Creative Wales Ambassadors Awards. more >
President Motlanthe was not heckled
As the lead institution in the preparations and implementation of Freedom Day celebrations, the Department of Arts and Culture would like to state that reports of crowds heckling President Kgalema Motlanthe are untrue. They are misleading and aimed at creating sensationalism. more >
Seoul int'l conference underlines power of creativity, imagination
2009 marks the third anniversary of Seoul Creative City Governance, the meeting analyzed the outcomes and reflections on Seoul Creative City Governance over the last three years, to identify any challenges ahead and find how to meet them. more >
Statement from Chairman on budget cuts
April saw the announcement of a new budget for the Arts Council for 2009; the figure was confirmed on the publication of the revised estimates. A statement from Chairman, Pat Moylan said "the level of public funding allocated underscores the commitment of the Government, and in particular the Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, to the distinctive contribution of the arts to the Irish economy." more >
The 2009 Heritage Month celebration this May
This month of May, Filipinos celebrate the Filipino Heritage Festival with the theme "Awit at Sayaw," highlighting the age-old as well as modern interpretations of Filipino music, bringing it to life through a variety of performances. more >
Statement by Pat Moylan, chairman of the Arts Council, on the revised estimates
The Arts Council recognises the very difficult issues facing the Government and the need to reduce public expenditure. more >
Arts Council England announces £44.5 million of initiatives to sustain the arts through recession
Arts Council England will invest an extra £44.5 million in artists and arts organisations over the next two years to help maintain artistic excellence during the economic downturn. more >
Arts Council England responds to the Budget
Arts Council England responds to the announcement of a £4 million cut in its government funding for 2010/11. more >
The economic crisis is an opportunity to rethink the role of the State
Sandro Bondi: ‘Following the presentation by Marcello Venziani on culture and the crisis, inspired by the convention, organized by MiBAC with the French Academy, attended by another 40 Italian and French intellectuals, allow me to add some brief thoughts.’ more >
Arts education from across the pond
Last month, three teaching artists were in Chicago to share ideas, best practice and strategies on bringing arts to the whole curriculum. more >
Avignon Forum – Signing of a three-year convention with the State
One of the principal objectives of the annual meeting is to show what cultural investment contributes, not only to the protection of diversity and the defence of civilisation’s values, but also for the creation of people’s wealth, and for a better understanding of the values of a country for visitors such as immigrants. more >
Cultural visits in Glasgow
Following a meeting with the Chair and Chief Executive of Culture and Sport Glasgow, Culture Minister Michael Russell is undertaking a series of visits to Glasgow cultural sites. more >
Don't tarry, come to Barry for the Arts Council of Wales Annual Conference!
Ever wondered how to place the arts at the centre of national life? 'Forging the Future', Arts Council of Wales's Annual Conference, will give you the chance to find out. more >
Forum d’Avignon : Signature d’une convention triennale avec l’Etat
Christine Albanel signe avec Nicolas Seydoux, président du conseil de surveillance de Gaumont et président de l'association « Forum d'Avignon, Culture, Médias, Économie », une convention triennale entre l’État et l’association en vue de l’organisation du prochain Forum d’Avignon. more >
Hi Seoul Festival kicks off May 2
The Hi Seoul Festival - Spring 2009 will take place May 2 through May 10. Hot Pink Parade kicks off the festivities on May 2. The spring festival will be held under the slogan "Share, Hope" and the color hot pink has been selected to represent the festival with its image of warm energy of life. more >
Indigenous art code of conduct consultations enter next phase
Public consultation forums will be held across Australia to gather more feedback on the draft Indigenous Australian Art Commercial Code of Conduct. more >
Legacy potential of the Commonwealth Games
The 2014 Commonwealth Games will see Glasgow hosting a spectacular sporting event which will be viewed the world over but it is also an unrivalled opportunity to leave a lasting cultural legacy for the people of Scotland, Minister for Culture Michael Russell said today. more >
On location in Scotland
Better support for film and TV production in the shape of greater tax incentives would bring significant economic benefits and promote Scotland as a creative and cost-effective place for film-makers, Minister for Culture Michael Russell said today. more >
Patron of heritage awards 2008 celebrates record philanthropic donations worth S$110 million
The Patron of Heritage Awards celebrates a record year in heritage philanthropy. Now in its third year, the prestigious national accolade by the National Heritage Board (NHB) recognises S$110 million of donations and loans contributed to heritage causes islandwide in 2008 – the highest sum received within a year. more >
Quang Nam: popularizing traditional folk in school
Four lower secondary schools to implement a program with a view to popularizing traditional folk into the schools in 2009. Quang Nam Opera Company will be in charge of guiding this program. more >
Relocation of Arts Council of Wales's Cardiff offices
Please note that from 5 May 2009, Arts Council of Wales's Cardiff offices will relocate to a new address. more >
Singapore Arts Festival 2009: outreach programme engaging audiences at every level
The Singapore Arts Festival 2009 announced today details of its month-long outreach programme as part of the Festival’s broad and inclusive programme, ranging from popular classics to contemporary creations. more >
Singapore at 53rd Venice Biennale
Internationally recognised visual artist Ming Wong will represent Singapore at the 53rd Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition this year. more >
Speech by Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr. Z. Pallo Jordan at Crafts Award Dinner
Speech by Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr. Z. Pallo Jordan at Crafts Award Dinner at the South African Reserve Bank Conference Centre, Pretoria. more >
Arts Council committee details updated
The Council is supported in its work by a number of advisory committees which review the various functions of the organisation and report back to Council on a regular basis. DEtails are now updated. more >
Arts in Australia's National School Curriculum
Australian children are guaranteed an arts-rich education following agreement today by federal, state and territory education ministers that arts be included in the national curriculum. more >
Campbell officially launches a new era in libraries
Culture Minister Gregory Campbell today officially launched Libraries NI, the new Northern Ireland Library Authority which will deliver a single unified and integrated library service. more >
Government concludes broadcasting regulatory review
Broadcasting Minister, Dr Jonathan Coleman, and Communications and Information Technology Minister, Steven Joyce, today announced that the previous government’s digital broadcasting regulatory review will not proceed further. more >
Major new work to be created for Northern Ireland as Artists take the lead in new £5.4m competition for the Cultural Olympiad
Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland commented: "Artists Taking the Lead offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for artists living in Northern Ireland to become part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. more >
NEH awards 'We the People' bookshelf to 4,000 libraries
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced today that 4,000 public and school libraries will receive a free collection of classic books for the sixth annual We the People Bookshelf. more >
The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui launches new online home
The Big Idea |Te Aria Nui is proud and excited to launch its new online space for creative New Zealanders. With new functionality, tools and content the revamped site provides inspiration, networks, opportunities and tools to help creative people seed and sustain their big ideas. more >
£100,000 to support mental health and wellbeing through the arts
Five arts organisations have been supported by the Scottish Arts Council to further develop their work within the field of arts and mental health recognising the positive role the arts can play in improving mental health and wellbeing. more >
Creative Industries in Jamaica and their access to international markets: The challenge for cultural policy
We are challenged in the development of our Creative Industries Policy as we seek to establish the framework within which we can use our successes to expand the possibilities and ride our challenges to create a roadmap to achieve our vision. more >
The international who's who in cultural policy, planning and research >