The Latest Breaking News from Arts Council

Letter: John Hyatt obituary

Michael Phillipson writes: John’s eccentric humour was certainly visible in his painting from the beginning

The Guardian - UK · Jun 16, 2024

Artists shouldn’t be political? Here’s a show that challenges Britain’s creeping censorship

Cutting the Tightrope: The Divorce of Politics from Art, at the Arcola in London, tackles freedom of expression – with particular focus on Gaza, writes Brian Logan

The Guardian - UK · May 15, 2024

The BBC, Ofcom and now the British Museum – why do the Tories keep interfering in cultural appointments?

No 10’s meddling is corrupting the integrity of public postings, and turning institutions into political pawns, says the Guardian’s chief culture writer, Charlotte Higgins

The Guardian - UK · Apr 11, 2024

OPINION - Arts Council England have created a dangerous confusion: art cannot be separated from politics

Earlier this month, during the climax of Chicago rapper Noname’s headline gig in London, she paused, cut the accompaniment, and addressed her sold-out audience. “Can I hear you say free Palestine?” It was, of course, not the first time I’d been at a concert where the artist had made some…

Evening Standard · Feb 19, 2024

Monday briefing: Why is Arts Council England clamping down on political statements?

In today’s newsletter: Artists reacted with fury to the warning that ‘overtly political or activist’ statements could lead to a withdrawal of funding. But it is just the latest example of the paucity of support for the arts

The Guardian - UK · Feb 19, 2024

Arts Council England to update ‘activist statements’ guidance after backlash

Funding body says it believes in freedom of expression, after policy changes sparked fears of censorship of artists

The Guardian - UK · Feb 15, 2024

Arts Council England mired in row over ‘political statements’ warning

Robert Macfarlane, Feargal Sharkey and Matt Haig are among artists to react with fury to message about funding risks

The Guardian - UK · Feb 14, 2024

ENO strike: staff say they are political ‘pawns’ and fear being forced out

Musicians say many feel they have no choice but to act over cuts and may have to leave industry altogether

The Guardian - UK · Jan 18, 2024

The arts are heading into a doom loop

Letters: Alan Davey thinks less money, less certainty in funding, and hostility to ideas leads to less risk taking and new work. Susan Jones sets out how Labour should take action

The Guardian - UK · Dec 1, 2023

It’s not just opera – all performing arts need better support for touring productions

Letters: Jodi Myers on the gaps left by the demise of the Arts Council Touring department. Plus Nicholas Reckert and Jane Harvey on modern opera

The Guardian - UK · Nov 17, 2023