It is with profound sadness that the Three Choirs Festival marks the passing of the esteemed composer and conductor Ronald Corp OBE. We were greatly anticipating Ronald's presence at this year's festival in Hereford. Read more - 3choirs.org/news/remembe...

This month marks the 20th episode of Devoted & Disgruntled, an annual convention bringing together those who care about the future of theatre. Erica Whyman reflects on how much has changed over the two decades. www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/fea...

Yet another scene in the tragedy unfolding in the arts in the US www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/us-cult...

Arts Council England (ACE) chair Nicholas Serota has defended the organisation’s commitment to inclusion and access in the wake of criticism of community outreach work requirements placed on the arts organisations it funds.

In its long running programme of research, the British Council has been assessing trends and challenges in arts and cultural provision for young people across the world. Director of research Christine Wilson shares key findings from the latest round.

Children living in the most deprived parts of England are less likely to study expressive arts subjects at GCSE and A Level, according to new research, with the situation being labelled a “national scandal”.

In light of President Trump’s funding decisions in the USA, Cause4’s Michelle Wright and Thomas Williams explore how cuts to USAID and DEI budgets might impact the future of arts funding in the UK.

London’s Wigmore Hall will leave Arts Council England’s (ACE) National Portfolio in April next year, saying it has raised enough from private donors to free itself from the funder’s “onerous” requirements.

Trump signs executive order to cut Voice of America - oh my days! eu.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

The incomparable and incorrigible Hilary Keenlyside has died after a short illness. Here her business partner and friend, Anne Bonnar, pays tribute to her strength of character and unique professionalism.

Co-creation and participatory practices are one of the most effective ways to engage audiences from lower socio-economic backgrounds with culture, research commissioned by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has found.

A new @queenmarycbb.bsky.social, @qmulsbbs.bsky.social study reveals that group arts activities like painting, dancing, or music can significantly reduce #depression and #anxiety in older adults. The effect sizes are comparable to antidepressants or talking therapies. www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2...

Huge investigation on class and the creative industries in @theguardian.com with some superb work from @lanre-bakare.bsky.social & team www.theguardian.com/culture/2025... & www.theguardian.com/culture/2025... & www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...

The new Soft Power Council has been set up in response to a volatile world at a time when democracy is in peril. So, writes Melissa Nisbett, it would be a strange decision to allow the British Council to die.

A new report on the intersection of creativity and technology – CreaTech – is published this week. Its findings, according to lead researcher Eliza Easton of Erskine Analysis reveal an unparalleled opportunity for economic growth, innovation and global leadership.

There are so many reviews and inquiries into arts and culture underway. This is a great guide to key milestones in 2025 @artsprofessional.co.uk www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/key-dat...

The Cultural Policy Unit is a new, independent think tank dedicated to formulating bold, imaginative and practical policy ideas in the service of the UK's creative and cultural industries. Alison Cole is its director. https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/feature/making-a-difference-in-cultur…

In response to Nick Hytner’s recent dismissal of the concerns of a new generation of artists as ‘ill-informed’, Chrissie Tiller argues it is crucial to engage with their desire to envision new ways of being in the world.

The British Council is in danger of disappearing within a decade due to ongoing financial challenges, the organisation’s chief executive has said.

As the UK’s creative industries are an increasingly international part of the UK economy, Bernard Hay of the Creative Policy and Evidence Centre considers what effect the new US administration might have on creative exports. https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/feature/what-might-a-trump-pre…

Ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration next week @robin.cantrill-fenwick.uk looks at what may lie ahead for arts leaders in the USA, and closer to home. www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/fea...

Arts Council England has promised changes to the user experience of its much-maligned funding portal Grantium, which it says will be announced in spring.

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (BOVTS) will end its provision of all undergraduate training, the conservatoire has announced.

The government is proposing a form of ‘opt out’ copyright system that would allow developers to train artificial intelligence (AI) on creative works, unless the creator has specified they do not want their work to be used. https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/government-proposes-ai-data-mining-e…

The culture sector has suffered years of neglect. But David Micklem is infused with optimism about what might lie ahead.

Members of the committee are inviting pitches from across the culture, media and sporting world as part of a new rolling inquiry (https://buff.ly/49QqCMl) that aims to examine previously unheard issues and challenges. https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/cms-com…

National Theatre Wales (NTW) will no longer exist in its current form following the loss of its core funding from Arts Council Wales (ACW) in 2023, the organisation has said.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has countered assertions that the Labour government has “scrapped” a review of Arts Council England that was started under the conservatives.

This is definitely worth taking the time to read from my former BBC boss

If true, this could be very good news www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/breakin...

A study has highlighted UK cities that could benefit from further support to drive industry growth in the creative sector.

Update: Around 100 Guardian and Observer journalists, and several hundred more joining online, attended a meeting of the joint NUJ chapel this afternoon and agreed to press on with a second 48-hour strike scheduled for next week. pressgazette.co.uk/news/scott-t...

While most people are aware of the importance of an accessible website, not everyone knows how to do it. Substrakt’s Kathryn Mason shares her top tips for how to make your website welcoming to all.

Since 2020, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion has been part of the governance code for charity boards. Yet, as Debra Allcock Tyler outlines, recent research from the Directory of Social Change demonstrates that trustees feel they underperform in this area. https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazin…

After months of uncertainty and campaigning, arts and culture organisations have warmly received the Scottish government’s draft budget (4 December), which included an additional £34m for culture in the next financial year. https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/scottish-arts-boost-welcomed-but-co…

The arts don't make enough of Tracy Brabin as our champion 🏆 www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/job... @artsprofessional.co.uk

Food for thought from @carolinelucas.bsky.social on climate action

Last week trustees from arts organisations gathered for the flagship annual governance event Governance Now: Imagine it Different*. Conference producer Rowena Price reflects on their collective aim to find bold, imaginative ways to weather current storms. https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine…

Fascinating reflection on 30 years of the National Lottery from someone who was there at the start @drmarkd.bsky.social

Hello to the more than 1,000 people now following us, most of whom arrived over the weekend! In unrelated news, does anyone know of a tool to automatically follow-back accounts that have followed you on Bluesky?

Education and class background have a significant impact on people’s ability to reach the top of their creative profession, new research into class inequalities in the creative industries has found. https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/sutton-trust-report-shines-uncomfortable-spotlight-on-class-…

We're building a starter pack for people professionally interested in arts and culture in the UK - who are we missing? Don't be shy - tell us you're here! go.bsky.app/R64pED1

2024 has seen a large number of elections in which centrist incumbents have lost ground to more polarising movements. But, as Anthony Sargent writes, artists play a crucial role in shaping political discourse.