In this week’s The Stage, Lyn Gardner asks whether Arts Council England’s new funding strategy will actually reassure artists - or if, without more money to distribute, very little will really change. Read more here: www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/stra... #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

A new ‘home’ for global-majority artists and audiences is being rolled out for the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, aiming to tackle the lack of diversity. www.thestage.co.uk/news/news/in... #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

The Arts Council of Wales have announced a series of actions designed to support and strengthen the artform of Dance in Wales. arts.wales/news-jobs-op... #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Play is under threat in Early Years, and Rae Pica explains why that matters. Free episode on risky play, guided play, and partnering with parents. www.earlyyears.tv/episode/r...

A three-year national pilot has shown that embedding teaching for creativity in classrooms can transform teaching practice, improve student engagement, and help rekindle teachers’ passion in their profession. www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/... #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

New Episode Alert! Sue Newman & Dr Kathryn Murray share how sound environments transform brain development in early years. Learn practical strategies to create calm, focused spaces using music & intentional sound design. www.earlyyears.tv/episode/s...

The Barbican could learn a lesson or two from the Royal Exchange, writes interim editor Matthew Hemley 👇

‘A safe space to come and just be’: the radical, utopian return of Britain’s youth clubs

New Episode Alert! Sue Newman & Dr Kathryn Murray share how sound environments transform brain development in early years. Learn practical strategies to create calm, focused spaces using music & intentional sound design. www.earlyyears.tv/episode/s...

Finnish artist, author and illustrator Tove Jansson in her home studio, 1956 #WomensArt

Parents of children taken in to care should get more help, say experts after Victoria Marten death

Illustrations for Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland', 1959 edition, by Finnish artist and Moomins creator Tove Jansson #WomensArt

Small Prophets review – Mackenzie Crook’s magical new comedy is pure, pure pleasure

Julie Mountain shares the 4-stage design process that transforms any outdoor space. Learn why "what movements do children need?" beats "what equipment should we buy?" every time. Essential viewing for early years practitioners. www.earlyyears.tv/episode/j... www.earlyyears.tv/episode/j...

It’s not the most important thing but the world being plotted like bad television is making it pretty confusing for those trying to write good television

#Review: Shakespeare in a Suitcase - Hamlet, Polka Theatre ★★★★ "This is quality theatre: inventive, respectful of its audience, and quietly ambitious in what it asks young people to engage with." #theatre #TYA #Wimbledon #Shakespeare #theatresky everything-theatre.co.uk/2026/01/revi...

#Review: Squirrel @unicorntheatre.bsky.social ★★★★ "This is a genuinely shared family experience, where different ages take different things – and no one is asked to sit still and behave." #theatre #TYA #familytheatre #theatresky everything-theatre.co.uk/2026/01/revi...

Chekhov, born today 1860: ‘I hate lies & violence…I look upon tags & labels as prejudices. My holy of holies is the human body, health, intelligence, talent, inspiration, love, & the most absolute freedom imaginable--freedom from violence & lies.’

An expression from Puerta Rican slang that describes someone who looks anxious or nervous is como cocodrilo en fábrica de carteras. It means “like a crocodile in a wallet factory.”

today in pocket theatre, i write abt the optics of progress. open.substack.com/pub/csvich/p...

Scottish Youth Theatre is seeking an Artistic Producer (Emerging Artist Programme) to join the team and help curate an ambitious and exciting emerging programme for Scotland’s young theatre-makers buff.ly/Whi0vz8 (deadline - 11 Feb 2026)

www.imaginate.org.uk/news/blog-wh.... Brilliant blog by @sianmacgregor.bsky.social for @edchildrensfest.bsky.social

New MiniBlog, with thanks to Katherine Rundell: Why grown-ups should watch children’s theatre… www.imaginate.org.uk/news/blog-wh... via @edchildrensfest.bsky.social

★★★★ Review: Dante or Die: I Do – Immersive, site-specific tale of wedding-day dysfunction is finely detailed and engrossing 👇

That's My Story!: Drama for Confidence, Communication and Creativity i share.google/WfH7Kib2Qz26... With renewed emphasis on Oracy and Creativity in primary education why not get hold of a copy of this book by our CEO Adam.

Things Only Early Years Educators Will Understand Day 15 “Following the child’s lead isn’t about losing control” #EarlyYears #EarlyYearsEducation #PlayMatters #EarlyYearsProfessionals

🗣️ “It is through our songs and our stories that we best express ourselves, and best understand ourselves, and our place in the world." 🗣️ This week, Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced a real-terms boost to the overall culture budget in 2026-27 📈

Anna Ancher (Danish 1859-1935) ‘The Maid in the Kitchen’ 1883 - 1886 oil on canvas #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

this is culturally a vital work of modern art

Delighted with this lovely intelligent review. Thank you!

Wonderful film. And one of the best central performances on celluloid. (Also, never seen theatre portrayed better.)

Margaret Hodge’s ACE review has an elephant in the room – money, writes Lyn Gardner 👇

Jane’s photos of Italy are wonderful ❤️ @janehobson.bsky.social

Woman in a hat walks past a food stall, carrying candy floss whilst on a mobile phone, Venice, Italy.

Rialto fish market, Venezia, Italy. © Jane Hobson. 2025.

Reflections, San Marco Piazza, Italy.

Scottish artist Anne Redpath, Girl in the Red Cloak, c.1920 #WomensArt

I have no desire to go to America at this time so I’m not worried about this being on my social media profile. Hateful, hateful man

From the Gruffalo to Dog Man: how to put children’s classics on the stage

Chipmunks are wonderful animals. This was one of my outdoor friends. Of course, Sam also likes to watch them. #Chipmunks #Cats

TV tonight: the heartbreaking story of a forbidden affair during the Troubles

Trespasses review – an intoxicating, rousing and heartbreaking love story

This morning I signed translation rights for 15 of my Sensory Stories. They are to be published in French, Spanish, Italian and Greek (starting with the Greek ones). It is very exciting to think of all the people who will get access to sensory stories through this agreement. Meanwhile

Michelle Kingdom, fine artist based in California, specializing in embroidery #WomensArt

This is such a clever idea on taking kids to museums/galleries www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

the ending of THE GODFATHER, the best american movie ever made, doesn't work without diane keaton's final look --- at the realization of who she's married and what her life is going to become and what corruption lurks behind closed doors. unforgettable, inimitable work. RIP.

ICYMI: Jacksons Lane artistic director and joint chief executive Adrian Berry is to depart the organisation after 18 years at the helm. Read more 👇

The work of Diana Catchpole, contemporary UK based illustrator and printmaker #ReframingWomenPrintmakers