Arts.Info | Arts and Culture News and Commentary

SO MUCH FOR 'IMPROVEMENT'!...

2011-03-05T06:55:00.000-08:00

The DCMS are hailing the return of the popular Museum improvement funding scheme that it runs with the philanthropic knifermo to give money to the nation's museums and galleries. The scheme allows organisations to bid for money to renovate or improve its displays, but unfortunately it will return with a much smaller pot of money than in previous years.

LIFTING THE VEIL ON CHARITABLE GIVING...

2011-03-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq:BLKB) has announced that NOZA Philanthropy Data (NOZA) will now be available directly to Canadian subscribers via www.NOZAsearch.ca. NOZA is the world's largest searchable database of charitable donations with more than 60 million American and Canadian gift records. This service will help fundraisers identify prospects for charitable giving and understand who major donors are giving to and how much they are investing. It will also enable fundraisers to better understand donors' interests and ensure that they are asking for a targeted gift amount.

THERE'S MONEY OUT THERE…

2011-03-05T06:53:00.000-08:00

John Godfrey from Artful Fundraising has been spending time in India in the early part of this year and in his latest newsletter, he reflects on philanthropy in the second most populous and fastest growing economy in the world. The Asia-Pacific Wealth Report 2010 says that there were 127,000 Indians with more than $1 million in investible assets in 2009, and they were collectively worth $477 billion. Forbe's latest list of the super rich shows that India has a record 69 billionaires. The 100 richest Indians are worth $300 billion compared to $314 billion held by the top 400 Chinese. Contact John at john.godfrey@artfulfundraising.com

A GREAT VALENTINES DAY GIFT!...

2011-03-05T06:52:00.000-08:00

For the proposed federal budget for fiscal 2012, released Monday, almost all of the USA's agencies and museums that receive government dollars saw their funds slashed considerably. The budget sent to Capitol Hill by the administration is a starting point for discussions about the merits of government funding for the arts and humanities, as well as the value of initiatives the agencies fund. With some vocal members of the Republican-controlled House targeting the arts as excessive spending, the outcome of the budget requests is unclear.

THE ONGOING DEBATE!...

2011-03-05T06:51:00.000-08:00

The Select Committee on Arts and Heritage Funding recently met to take their last piece of oral evidence from Arts Council England. Alan Davey and Dame Liz Forgan were invited to answer a range of questions relating to the work of Arts Council England. A number of these were relevant to the cultural learning sector and to children and young people. This was followed by a debate in the House of Lords on the same subject. You can read the full transcripts here and here

SHARING BEST PRACTICE…

2011-03-05T06:49:00.002-08:00

The European cultural sector is faced with unprecedented financial challenges. As a result, imagination, collaboration and sharing of best practice is critical. To provide a platform for these conversations, UK based cultural consultancy, NR+P, are delighted to be organising an Arts Funding Symposium on 9 March in Amsterdam, generously hosted by Clifford Chance LLP. This will provide a unique opportunity to hear first hand, the lessons and experiences of senior professionals from both the UK and the Netherlands.

AND ABOUT TIME TOO...

2011-03-05T06:49:00.001-08:00

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, signed an agreement on 11 February to launch a US$12 million project to boost the information and communication technology capacity of West African universities, notably by creating a regional virtual library network. The project is part of a wide-ranging cooperation plan initiated in 2006 by UNESCO and the UEMOA. It aims to develop the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support an ongoing reform of higher education in the UEMOA member states (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Niger, Mali, Senegal and Togo).

A NEW PROVINCIAL STRATEGY, BUT NO NEW FUNDING...

2011-03-05T06:47:00.000-08:00

The Nova Scotia government is bringing back an independent body to decide funding for artists in the province. The new group, called Arts Nova Scotia, was announced Monday as part of the province's new strategy for arts and culture. Joella Foulds, chair of the Nova Scotia Arts and Culture Partnership Council, welcomes the move, even though it doesn't come with new funding.

UK FUNDING UPDATES:

2011-03-05T06:43:00.000-08:00

Liverpool, who could argue against the transformative effect of it being European capital of culture in 2008?, is expected to cut is arts funding by £1.8m, or 20%, in response to the reduction in government subvention. Cuts will be made to landmark organisations such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse. Liverpool Philharmonic is facing a cut of £284,000 from £1.42m. Add that on to its arts council cut of 6.9% and, according to the orchestra, it's "a reduction in revenue of £450,000 in 2011/12, with further cuts likely from other local authorities."

Manchester City Council is to consider cuts to its arts budget of £326,000 when it meets on 9 March, almost three times what was previously budgeted.

Ikon Eastside, Ikon's exhibition space in Digbeth, Birmingham, is to close in April because of cuts in public funding.

The Digbeth gallery has been in operation at various sites for five years, hosting work by internationally recognised artists such as Andy Warhol, Damián Ortega, Józef Robakowski and Siobhan Davies Dance. Ikon will continue to organise site-specific events in the area.

North Yorkshire County Council has agreed a budget that will cut arts spending from £145,000 to £30,000 as tries to find £69m reductions in 2011-12. Particularly affected will be the area's theatres, including the Stephen Joseph in Scarborough.

MOBILE AROUND THE MED…

2011-03-05T06:42:00.000-08:00

The Roberto Cimetta Fund is launching its Mobility Funding Programme for 2011. This programme includes a general fund and specific funding lines for directional artistic and cultural mobility in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Artists and cultural professionals living and working in the Euro-Mediterranean region can apply. Priority is given to mobility from the South and East of this region. The General Fund is open to all requests for travel grants that respect the eligibility criteria of RCF, whatever the destination of travel, the artistic discipline or the direction of mobility. Funding on the specific funding lines is detailed on the Cimetta Fund website. Please note they have a NEW joint mobility fund with Guimaraes, European Capital of Culture 2012. This specific funding lin e supports artistic mobility to and from Guimaraes, Portugal. Priority is given to applications in music, performing arts, cinema, contemporary art, design and architecture preferably within a "residency" model.

OUT OF THE BUNKER…

2011-03-05T06:41:00.000-08:00

Bunker (Slovenia) has launched an open call for the production of artistic works. Send in your application before 28 February and get your project supported in fields such as production, promotion or finance.

THANKS TO A GENEROUS VIOLINIST...

2011-03-05T06:39:00.002-08:00

A new scholarship to fund the study of Italian language, history and culture has been launched by violinist Nicola Benedetti. The Scottish classical music star, who has Italian roots, is patron of a scheme to provide scholarship opportunities for postgraduate students in Italian studies at the University of Edinburgh. The scholarship is aimed at students who might not normally be able to afford the courses. It will pay for masters, PhD programmes and postdoctoral fellowships in Italian studies, including research in Italian visual arts, music, literature, history and philosophy.

THE OLDIES HAVE MUCH TO GIVE…

2011-03-05T06:39:00.001-08:00

As 2011 is the European Year of Volunteering, the EU Grundtvig programme looks forward to receiving inspiring Senior Volunteering Project applications: the deadline is 31 March 2011.

LIKE JAZZ?...

2011-03-05T06:38:00.000-08:00

The 18th Izmir European Jazz Festival organized by Izmir Foundation of Culture, Arts and Education will be held between the dates 2-16 March 2011. During the Festival, one exhibition, five seminars and 8 concerts will take place. Concert tickets will be offered for sale starting from February 18th.

TAKE YOUR PICK...

2011-03-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

The choices are said to be 'awesome' among the more than one hundred separate events celebrating the visual, literary and performing arts at the second annual Palustris Festival to be held 24-27 March 2011. Coordinated by the Arts Council of Moore County and the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen, the schedule for the four days of the Festival really does seem to have something for everyone's taste. All festival information is found at http://www.homeofgolf.com/

TALK ABOUT IT IN TRONDHEIM…

2011-03-05T06:35:00.002-08:00

Get to know more on "Contemporary Literature and Media Culture" at the Across Media conference taking place in Trondheim, Norway from 5-7 May. The deadline for registration is 28 February.

PUTTING TOGETHER THE FINAL TOUCHES ...

2011-03-05T06:35:00.001-08:00

The 10th Swedish Theatre Biennial in Gävle will run from 11-15 May 2011, and final preparations are now underway. From the beginning of March it will be possible to register for performances, seminars, workshops and meetings. You can register at www.teaterbiennalen.se where you will find presentations and information about the program, the accommodations, travel possibilities and facts about the host town Gävle. For information and help with registration, please email info@teaterunionen.se

NOTHING TO DO IN MAY?

2011-03-05T06:34:00.001-08:00

A post-graduate course in Economics and Management of Cultural Organizations and Heritage (EcoCult) is being organized by the University of Ferrara (Italy) in collaboration with the European Network of Cultural Administration Training Centers (ENCATC). The course will start on 16 May 2011 and will be held entirely in English; it is designed for international post-graduate students or professionals coming from all around the world who work in cultural institutions or are interested in improving their preparation to enhance their career. During the course many aspects of cultural management will be addressed under an international perspective and with a special focus on practice and on the importance of cooperation for cultural organizations. For more information contact ecocult@unife.it.

GLOBAL SECURITY IN THE SPOTLIGHT...

2011-03-05T06:32:00.000-08:00

The fourth International Conference on African Culture and Development (ICACD) will be held from 24-27 July in Accra, Ghana. 'Culture and Global Security' will be the core theme of the conference, and submissions on issues around this topic, and around a number of sub-theme topics, are now being accepted. For a list of sub-themes click here.

ANOTHER KIND OF DERBY…

2011-03-05T06:30:00.000-08:00

The University of Kentucky will host the 37th annual Social Theory, Politics and the Arts Conference from 13-15 October 2011 in Lexington , and will cover cultural policy, arts management, art making and the future of the arts. You can find the formal Call for Proposals on the conference website, along with paper and panel proposal forms. The deadline for proposals in April 22, 2011. A selection of papers from the conference will be selected for inclusion in the peer-reviewed publication, The Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society. Additionally, there will also be an award for the best student presentation at the conference. For more information, contact info@stpaconference.com or rachel.shane@uky.edu.

CULTURE IN MOTION...

2011-03-05T06:29:00.002-08:00

Nearly 30 cross-border cultural projects supported by the European Union have been showcased during two days at the " Culture in Motion: Pathways to EU2020" conference in Brussels from 15-16 February. The event, bringing together over 600 participants, highlights how innovative cultural partnerships can contribute to the Europe 2020 goals for smart, inclusive and sustainable growth, as well as helping to address other challenges like climate change.

STUDENTS SHARE A GOAL ...

2011-03-05T06:29:00.001-08:00

India has held a three-day cultural festival in an attempt to introduce Iranian arts, culture and civilization in the capital city of New Delhi. Organized by Iranian students of New Delhi, the event aims to present the traditions and customs of the two countries. Named 'Arman', the Persian word for 'goal', the festival was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru University and mainly focused on Islamic art in Iran and India. The event highlighted the common grounds of Indo-Iranian culture and art and was held to provide the opportunity for the people of both countries to come together and promote their religious, cultural, artistic and social potentials.

ANCIENT CITIES...

2011-03-05T06:28:00.001-08:00

Mauritania held a 'Festival of Ancient Cities' in Chinguetti on 16-23 Feb. The festival was an occasion to showcase the traditional aspects of Mauritanian society through traditional industries and folkloric dances. Camel and donkey races were organised alongside poetry contests, Qur'an recitations, and decorative arts. Ancient manuscripts and historic books were also displayed.

A POWERFUL STATEMENT ...

2011-03-05T06:25:00.000-08:00

There was a lot of dancing, singing and story-telling in Guinda recently as people of all races gathered for the 10th annual Multi-Cultural Heritage and Black History Celebration. But, perhaps, the most important part of the event stood silently near the stage of the Guinda Grange Hall. It was a statement written in black letters on white background, set on an easel. Written on 1 Jan 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was the executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. It proclaimed the immediate freedom of 3.1 million of the nation's four million slaves.

THESE DICE COME UP TRUMPS…

2011-03-05T06:01:00.000-08:00

As the games shrink, the audience is growing - this was one of the issues explored at DICE, the Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain conference, held from 8-11 February 2011 in Las Vegas, USA

NOT ENOUGH GOOD STUFF?

2011-03-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Michael Kaiser , President of the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, warns that the arts are in a perilous state because not enough 'excellent' art is being created; the classical arts have not done enough to embrace new technologies or to create daring pieces. Apparently there is no lack of talent but an over-involvement of conservative top-down boards and managers rather than individual prime movers in the creation of art.

NORDIC NETWORKING NOTES…

2011-03-05T05:58:00.000-08:00

A recent publication from TEH is Nordic Perspectives on European Networking - 13 independent cultural centres in conversation. In this 20-page booklet, delegates from the Nordic TEH members reflect on the role of networking in a Nordic and European context. This is available for free download from the TEH website.

TESTING, TESTING...

2011-03-05T05:57:00.000-08:00

More than 4,000 'testers' have sampled Northern Ireland's rich, cultural arts scene for the very first time, thanks to Test Drive the Arts NI. Test Drive the Arts was launched in February 2010, with the aim of introducing people to Northern Ireland's thriving theatre and performing arts scene. The initiative is managed by Audiences NI - set up to boost attendance numbers to arts organisations across Northern Ireland and funded by Belfast City Council with support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE??

2011-03-05T05:55:00.000-08:00

David Dombrosky, Executive Director of the Center for Arts Management and Technology, Pittsburgh, PA, recently facilitated a roundtable discussion in New York City focusing on issues related to data sharing among arts organizations . Hosted by Fractured Atlas as part of their "Issue Brunch" series and streamed live on the Internet via Ustream, the conversation featured the thoughts and voices of six arts professionals working with arts organizations. While the roundtable covered a lot of ground surrounding the benefits and challenges of sharing data between arts organizations, the issue of trust emerged as the bonding force at the heart of all data sharing relationships.

SOBERING NEWS…

2011-03-05T05:54:00.002-08:00

Trans Europe Halles (TEH) are concerned to hear about the assassination of Guatemalan artist Victor Leiva on February 2nd. There are around 3000 assassinations of artists, cultural actors and spiritual leaders in Guatemala yearly. The victims are killed merely because of the way they think, dress or express themselves, and TEH together with freeDimensional condemns these acts of violence and hope for the killings to cease immediately.

DID YOU REMEMBER?...

2011-03-05T05:54:00.001-08:00

It was International Mother Language Day on 21st Feb. Established by UNESCO in November 1999, International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

A FOCUS ON FRANCE...

2011-03-05T05:52:00.000-08:00

France will be the cultural focus at this year's Abu Dhabi International Book Fair , which runs from March 15-20, underscoring the strong relationship between the Arab world and the French language.

ANOTHER, MORE CONTEMPORARY, 'DAY' OF NOTE...

2011-03-05T05:51:00.000-08:00

March 6th to 12th is "Read An E-Book Week," a week set aside to promote and publicize all the benefits of e-book reading. To celebrate, Dorrance Publishing, RoseDog Books, and Red Lead Press along with Sony Canada, E-Ink, Smashbooks, Warren Adler, and many others are partnering with http://www.ebookweek.com to promote reading e-books during this week and the entire month of March.

EBOOKS TURN A PROFIT?

2011-03-05T05:50:00.000-08:00

Stephen Leather, a British thriller writer who sells his novels as ebooks for as little as 70p estimates he has occupied the number one spot on Amazon.co.uk's Kindle ebook bestseller lists for "90% of the last three months". He is also selling "somewhere in the region" of 2,000 ebooks a day - and making big profits in the process. Capitalising on the popularity of e-readers such as the Kindle, a new generation of writers is bypassing agents and publishers and using the flexible pricing model of ebooks to offer their work directly to the public at rock-bottom prices. Some, like Leather, are achieving huge sales, which, not surprisingly, is striking fear into publishers

A DARK CHAPTER FOR BOOKSELLERS…

2011-03-05T05:49:00.000-08:00

Australia's largest bookstore chain, Angus & Robertson, blame protectionism and tax-free online shopping for the company's collapse into administration last week.

TO BE PHASED OUT?...

2011-03-05T05:47:00.000-08:00

Industry observers rally to support the MEDIA programme, which in its 20 years of existence has played a crucial role in improving the competitiveness of the audiovisual sector in Europe.

A WINNING PICTURE...

2011-03-05T05:46:00.000-08:00

The Iranian drama " Nader and Simin: A Separation" won the Golden Bear award for the best picture and also picked up the best actor and actress prizes at this year's Berlin Film Festival. The film, directed by Asghar Farhadi, portrays a marriage in crisis and explores Iran's class divisions and a clash between traditional and modern ways of living and thinking.

CREEPY…

2011-03-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

An Australian filmmaker has discovered two perfectly preserved 3-D films the Nazis made 75 years ago as part of their propaganda machine. In essence advertisements for the glories of living in Nazi Germany, the films show young, attractive people singing, dancing, barbecuing bratwurst, camping and riding around in Mercedes-Benz cars. Read more here.

NOT JUST THE CREATIVE SCOTS THEN…

2011-03-05T05:43:00.002-08:00

Creative England, the new body that will support growth in the creative industries, has embarked on its first stage of development by outlining proposed strategic priorities for film in its first year. The purpose is apparently to "build on the success of the Regional Screen Agencies." The DCMS (UK Ministry of Culture) has confirmed their initial budget for film of £2.5m Grant in Aid and £2m Lottery funding from the BFI.

A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD...

2011-03-05T05:43:00.001-08:00

The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, an undisputed highlight of Estonia's cultural calendar, has won the award for the most outstanding tourist attraction of 2010.

ARSON, AND INDIFFERENCE?...

2011-03-05T05:42:00.000-08:00

Recent cases of arson highlight the issue of protection of South Korea's historic buildings - and the level of disconnect some see between many Koreans and their cultural heritage.

HERITAGE WEEK…

2011-03-05T05:40:00.000-08:00

Peterborough played host to the launch of Ontario's Heritage Week 2011 during a kickoff ceremony at Trent University Friday morning. The Ontario Heritage Trust opens Heritage Week in a different community each year. The launch ceremony took place at Trent's Champlain College and coincided with a Heritage Expo showcasing local organizations and school groups.

NEW EXHIBIT DEBUTS…

2011-03-05T05:37:00.000-08:00

In commemorating its 30th Anniversary and Black History Month, Richmond'sBlack History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, debuted Pearls of Wisdom: Black Families and the Nobility of Everyday Living. The exhibition, which opened on February 4th and runs through July 1st, ' is a powerful illustration of the daily sayings and mantras which have sustained people of African-American descent in America'.

ANCIENT TREASURES…

2011-03-05T05:36:00.000-08:00

The National Art Museum of China is opening up its finest treasures to the public for the first time to mark the 50th anniversary of its founding. On display are more than 800 oils, watercolours, ink paintings, calligraphic scrolls, sculptures, prints, and folk art works, paper-cuttings, clay figurines and ethnic embroidery pieces, selected from thousands of donated works

THERE'S A TRADE FAIR FOR EVERYTHING…

2011-03-05T05:35:00.000-08:00

The "2nd International Trade Fair for conservation, restoration, restoration of castles and historic buildings " will be held in Sremska, Serbia from 1-3 June 2011.

A VERY INTERESTING IDEA…

2011-03-05T05:34:00.001-08:00

A recent Cultural Capital newsletter had an article on the Museum of AIDS in Africa which is a new museum being planned for South Africa where collections are at the core of the experience.

A NEW MUNICIPAL LIBRARY…

2011-03-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

Xiamen plans to build new municipal library in their 12th Five-year Plan. In the 12th five-year plan period (2011- 2015), Xiamen will finish its second phase construction of the Ecology Conservation Area for Culture of Southern Fujian (Minnan culture) and continue its construction for the 3 demonstration areas for folk culture. Xiamen will get prepared for the building of the museum for Intangible Cultural Heritage, and starts its construction of another municipal library and the transmission base for Minnan culture.

ARMENIAN MONUMENTS ONLINE…

2011-03-05T05:32:00.000-08:00

The Armenian Monuments Awareness Project has launched its Armenian Heritage website, introduced at a presentation Thursday that also was a summary of AMAP's three years of cultural projects. The website - www.armenianmonuments.org -- is unique in its kind, presenting in five languages comprehensive and detailed descriptions of Armenian monuments, hundreds of photos along with practical information and GPS maps. It consists of three parts: Discover Armenia's Monuments, Research and Conservation and Learning Resources.

HERITAGE GAMES...

2011-03-05T05:31:00.000-08:00

The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is seeking to raise awareness on registering elements of the UAE's intangible heritage . The authority recently held a workshop on including cultural elements into the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage kept by UNESCO. The initiative follows the UAE's successful registration of falconry as a living human heritage. The workshop looked at registering "Sadou", traditional weaving skills in the UAE, and children's games (including Saqlah, Tilah, Jahif, Dasees, Almayana, Khusa Bosa).

MUSEUMS ROUNDUP…

2011-03-05T05:29:00.000-08:00

Updates in a recent Cultural Capital newsletter included: the Museum of African Diaspora received the 2010 SF Weekly Award in the category for Best Museum; the new Anchorage Museum opened to great acclaim in May 2010; theMuseum of Contemporary Canadian Art in Toronto forged a partnership with the National Gallery of Canada; the American Indian Cultural Center & Museum launched the Keeping the Fire Campaign; Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania has opened a new green wall; and the National Museum of American Jewish History opened its new building.

A GRAND NEW COMPLEX…

2011-03-05T05:28:00.000-08:00

When the curtains go up at the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater (RMRT)'s 'season opener' in Grand Lake June 10, they will be doing so in the theater's new complex. The new 12,000-square-foot complex features 297 stadium seats - an increase of 73 percent over the previous theater. Over the past five seasons, the RMRT has run at an average capacity of 96 percent, with routine sellouts. "The new building directly addresses the capacity issue," says Scott Haden, managing director of RMRT. "We no longer will need to turn away an average of 80 people a day."

NOT JUST BRICKS AND MORTAR…

2011-03-05T05:27:00.000-08:00

Auditoriums Meet, to be held from 1-3 Nov 2011 in Dublin, Ireland, is a conference, workshop and networking event which explores the essential business trends and market dynamics of live entertainment venues. Bringing together executives from the world's concert halls, arenas, theatres, festivals and performance spaces, Auditoriums Meet 2011 is an important industry meeting for venue owners, operators and developers.

EXPLORING THE MUSICAL MIND…

2011-03-05T05:26:00.000-08:00

The group's Westside Connections program mixes science and performance in its three-part study of the link between music and the brain. First up: A 'musical picture' of the troubled composer Robert Schumann

SPOT THE GOOD INVESTMENT?

2011-03-05T05:24:00.000-08:00

Spotify, the Anglo-Swedish online jukebox, has just been valued at $1bn. Despite still running at a loss, Spotify is seeking up to $100m in funding which would aid its challenge to Apple's iTunes and allow development of new services before its long anticipated launch in the US. Info on this story can be found via The Guardian, The Telegraph and Yahoo.

AN UNSUCCESFUL STRIKE…

2011-03-05T05:21:00.002-08:00

The management of the debt-burdened Detroit Symphony Orchestra cancelled the rest of its season on Saturday, after executives and the players failed to resolve a strike that has lasted four and a half months. The players had voted to reject what orchestra executives had said was their final contract offer, calling it unacceptable. The players pointed to large increases in health care costs, a requirement that musicians pay some travel costs, a one-member reduction of the orchestra roster and greater authority by management in determining community and educational concerts

SCULPTURES AS SMOOTH AS BUTTER…

2011-03-05T05:21:00.001-08:00

The Taer Monastery, a prominent monastery in China's north western province of Qinghai, held its annual exhibition of butter sculptures on Thursday, the grandest of its kind in the country. The event was in celebration of the Chinese Lantern Festival.

A NEW SPACE...

2011-03-05T05:20:00.000-08:00

The Pavilion Downtown Dubai, the city's newest dedicated non-commercial contemporary art space, opened on Thursday 24th Feb 2011. Hosting two gallery spaces, The Pavilion will be a hub for a diverse range of art events, offering a platform to promote an active cultural community to the public and to support the work of a new generation of artists in the region.

CHOCOLATE HEAVEN DOES EXIST!...

2011-03-05T05:19:00.000-08:00

Imagine yourself standing in a chocolate house, surrounded by chocolate decor. Well, this time, it's not a dream, as a chocolate heaven goes on display at a supermarket in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. The chocolate heaven is 17 square meters of living space, complete with walls, furniture and an interior design that includes candlesticks, paintings and books. And yes, it's all made of chocolate.

'A PALACE OF CULTURE PLEASE'…

2011-03-05T05:18:00.000-08:00

Roman Abramovich has asked the architect of London's revamped Royal Opera House to draw up plans for a £250m palace of culture on a St Petersburg island to be overseen by his art-loving girlfriend, Dasha Zhukova. The Russian billionaire owner of Chelsea football club has invited Dixon Jones architects to draft designs for the eight-hectare New Holland island, Peter the Great's military port, which is bordered by two canals and a river and is a 20-minute walk from the Hermitage museum.

THERE'S A NEW CURATOR IN TOWN…

2011-03-05T05:17:00.000-08:00

The New York Academy of Art was banned from uploading images to Facebook when a piece of art posted by a student was found to violate Facebook's nudity policy. Unable to contact anyone within Facebook and at their wits' end, the school took to its blog with a post entitled ' Facebook, Curator of Culture'

ANOTHER BIENNIAL FOR THE CALENDAR…

2011-03-05T05:16:00.000-08:00

India's booming art scene is set for a new event modeled on the Venice Biennale that will feature 60 international artists by the sea in the tropical south of the country. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale, launched this week, will be held in January next year and will be the first event of its kind in India, featuring artists from all over the world in a three-month show. Conceived by artists Bose Krishnamachari and Riyas Komu and funded in part by the local state of Kerala, the show will make use of numerous industrial spaces in Kochi and exhibition areas in the ancient port of Muziris

EVEN THE SHRINKS BELIEVE IT…

2011-03-05T05:14:00.000-08:00

As the budget of the National Endowment for the Arts is debated, Psychology Today argues that the arts fosters economic growth by stimulating scientific and technological innovation .

FESTIVAL RESEARCH PROPOSALS SOUGHT…

2011-03-05T05:13:00.000-08:00

The European Festivals Research Project (EFRP) and Festival Borštnikovo srečanje, Maribor (Slovenia) invite proposals for presentations at the EFRP research workshop Artistic festivals and continuously operating cultural organizations to be held in Maribor, Slovenia from 21-23 October 2011. The workshop seeks to reconsider the relationship of festivals and continuously operating cultural organizations as competitors and partners. Some 14 presentations could be featured in the workshop. Researchers are invited to submit short proposals (150-250 words) of their research presentation by 15 April 2011 to Dr Dragan Klaic, EFRP Chair at

A CRUCIAL QUESTION…

2011-03-05T05:11:00.000-08:00

Intercultural Dialogue is one of three specific objectives of the Culture (2007-2013) Programme of the European Union. How has this objective been translated into the practice of funded projects and organisations? This is the question which the Platform for Intercultural Europe and Culture Action Europe have investigated with a view to contributing to the preparation of its next phase beginning in 2014.

AWARD FOR POLICY RESEARCH…

2011-03-05T05:09:00.002-08:00

The European Cultural Foundation (ECF), the Riksbankens Jubileumsfond and ENCATC have launched today the call for applications for the 2011 Cultural Policy Research Award. The winner of the CPR Award 2011, worth 10.000 Euro, will be publicly announced on 12October 2011 at the opening of the 19th ENCATC Annual Conference "CultureForecast" Helsinki, Finland (12-14 October 2011). The Cultural Policy Research Award was launched in 2004 by the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) and the Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, and since 2008, is developed in partnership with and managed by ENCATC. For the year 2011applications must be submitted between 16 February and 30 May 2011 through the online application form on the CPR Award website. Before applying, candidates are strongly advised to consult the website for advice on how to prepare their applications.

PUBLIC ART PRIORITY…

2011-03-05T05:09:00.001-08:00

Conservation and more initiatives in public art top the new Indian Union Culture Minister Kumari Selja's list of priorities. The ministry is mulling a registration law that will list public art and heritage relics, monuments apart, in the capital and frame laws to punish offenders who violate heritage laws and desecrate public art. The minister said: 'Art should be brought out from the confines of the museums to public spaces so that they become more interactive and mass-oriented.'

GET YOUR IDEAS TO GEORGIA…

2011-03-05T05:08:00.000-08:00

The Arts Research Institute of Ilia State University, Georgia, in cooperation with Stichting Caucasus Foundation, invite participants for the Second International Scientific Conference for MA and PH D students from the fields of Art Sciences and Arts Practice, Cultural management, Policy and Cultural Tourism, which will be held in Tbilisi, Georgia, from 23-25 May 2011. Presentations must be 10-12m. Participants should send a proposal of 150-200 words in English before 10 April 2011. The deadline for full presentations is 3 May 2011. For more info, contact ari@iliauni.edu.ge

CULTURE AND INTEGRATION…

2011-03-05T05:07:00.000-08:00

On 16 March, at the European Parliament in Brussels, members of the network EUROMEDINCULTURE(s) will officially present the outcome of the broad citizen consultation work carried out since January 2009 on cultural issues in European integration and the role it should play in future EU policies (FR). Supported by the European Commission under the Programme "Europe for Citizens", this consultation process has involved thousands of citize ns across Europe, who spoke through an online questionnaire and during many public meetings organized in different countries involved in the project. The reflection focused on the issue of mobility of artists and cultural professionals, enhancing the economic potential of cultural and artistic fields, integration of cultural aspects in educational policies and the role of culture in Foreign Relations of the European Union, especially in the Mediterranean.

CULTURE AND DIVERSITY…

2011-03-05T05:06:00.001-08:00

The German Commission for UNESCO and the Asia-Europe Foundation with the experts of the U40 program "Cultural Diversity 2030" launched the project " Mapping Cultural Diversity - Good practices around the world " during the recent fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee. The publication consists of 39 case studies of innovative and sustainable projects to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions - you can download it here. These best practices show aspects of the creation, production, distribution or dissemination, in connection with understanding and accessibility of cultural expressions. These examples reflect the interaction between policies and practices implemented to achieve the objectives of the Convention and demonstrate the role of culture as a key component of sustainable development. The report can be downloaded here (PDF).

A NEW WORLD HERITAGE SITE?.. .

2011-03-05T05:05:00.001-08:00

Kinmen County moved a step closer to World Heritage listing following the inaugural meeting on Feb 19th of a local government-organized committee tasked with this goal. "With its rich battlefield culture and treasure trove of Chinese-style red brick architecture, Kinmen has the best chance of all potential sites in Taiwan to be selected as a World Heritage Site," said Li Wo-shi, committee chairman and county magistrate.

IN 2013 COME TO LONDON/DERRY…

2011-03-05T05:04:00.000-08:00

Shona McCarthy , the former Belfast Festival director, is to head up Derry/Londonderry's year as UK City of Culture 2013, taking up the role in April 2011.

2011-03-05T05:03:00.002-08:00

CULTURAL CAPITAL INDEED… The third edition of the European Cultural Capital Report has just been published. Together with previous volumes this report updates the information contained in the Palmer Report on the European Capitals of Culture.

UP THE SANDBOX!

2011-03-05T05:03:00.001-08:00

At the end of last year the Institute of Cultural Capital took part in a 'sandpit' event at the AHRC-led Connected Communities programme in Birmingham, and they are now pleased to announce that the consortium they are part of has just been awarded a development funding grant to explore 'Connected Communities in the City: the roles of cultural intermediaries and cultural learning'.

A METAPHOR FOR A EUROPEAN CULTURAL CAPITAL?…

2011-03-05T05:02:00.000-08:00

An interesting new exhibition area has opened in the central bank that was reborn in 2009 as the MUDE museum of fashion and design, Lisbon. In the gala opening, held in the onetime vault of safe-deposit boxes, 500 of the 3,500 boxes had been replaced with transparent plastic display cases that contained a most unusual inaugural expo: hundreds of types of agricultural seeds. Was this some new form of environmental art, or a metaphor for Lisbon 'sowing the seeds of culture' ?

LATIN FEVER…

2011-03-05T05:00:00.002-08:00

The Liverpool Carnival Company and Orb Events are delighted to announce that BRAZILICA, a new international Brazilian carnival event, will be launched in for Liverpool this summer. The 3 day event taking place across the city from 15-17 July promises to be the biggest carnival of its kind in the UK.

CULTURE LEADS REGENERATION?

2011-03-05T05:00:00.001-08:00

The Institute of Cultural Capital has received funding from the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) for a twelve month project called 'Connecting Communities via Culture-led Regeneration' . This will enable them to establish a research network bringing together the cities shortlisted for the first UK City of Culture (UKCoC) in 2013.

FAST AND FASTER…

2011-03-05T04:50:00.002-08:00

South Korea's fetish for internet speeds is about to reach a new heights. Despite being the country with the fastest average household bandwidth in the world, the government doesn't seem satisfied. By the end of 2012, South Korea intends to connect every home in the country to the Internet at one gigabit per second (which is about 1000 times faster than the connection in most homes). With that speed you could download an entire DVD movie in a few seconds.

COPYRIGHT IN PERSPECTIVE…

2011-03-05T04:50:00.001-08:00

The NY Times has taken a long view of the copyright problem: how paywalls enabled Shakespeare to earn the money to write his plays, the USA's plans for a Digital Economy Act and an argument that 'talent remains undeveloped unless the market rewards it

AND MINE'S BETTER THAN YOURS…

2011-03-05T04:49:00.001-08:00

Apple has launched a subscription offering for newspaper and magazines and Google has launched a rival to this, and will launch a rival to iTunes soon.

PHONES RULE OK…

2011-03-05T04:47:00.000-08:00

With the rapid adoption of web-enabled cell phones, smartphones and tablet computers, how will artists and arts organizations prepare for and adapt to the rise of the mobile Internet? A 60 minute webinar on Mobilizing the Arts: Engaging with the Mobile Web will be held on 2 March 2011 at 3:00 p.m. EST. It will provide an overview of multiple methods for utilizing the mobile web. Through discussion of examples from the creative sector, participants will discover the possibilities, as well as the challenges, for connecting audiences with the arts via mobile devices. It will be presented by: David Dombrosky, Center for Arts Management and Technology, Carnegie Mellon University.

THIS APPLE BITES BACK…

2011-03-05T04:46:00.000-08:00

Apple insists on a cut from online subscriptions to content accessed through its devices. From 30 June 2011 any newspapers read through an iPhone or iPad will have to give Apple 30%. Investigations by anti-trust regulators are being prepared.

MUSIC IN THE BAC! YAY!!

2011-03-05T04:45:00.002-08:00

The Music Industries Association (MIA) has joined the growing campaign calling for music to be included in the English Baccalaureate . The MIA represents musical instrument manufacturers, and music distributors, retailers and publishers.

WHEN WILL THE POLITICIANS BELIEVE IT TOO?

2011-03-05T04:45:00.001-08:00

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has established a national commission on the arts and social sciences to remind Americans of the importance of the liberal arts in education.

MARKETING THE ARTS IN THE US…

2011-03-05T04:43:00.000-08:00

The National Arts Marketing Project (NAMP) invites submissions for session proposals for its 2011 conference, Winning Audiences, to be held from 12-15 November 2011 in Louisville, KY. From arts marketing and audience building to new technology and fundraising, the 2011 conference will provide the tools you need to reach audiences, funders, and new partners. Share your practical ideas and strategies on audience engagement and new techn ologies for succeeding in a more connected society. The NAMP Conference welcomes session proposals from a variety of arts, nonprofit, marketing, and fundraising professionals. Proposals will be accepted until 18 March 2011.

SO WHAT DOES GO ON IN THE CHANGING ROOMS?

2011-03-05T04:42:00.000-08:00

Trans Europe Halles are very happy to announce the publication of Changing Room - Mobility of Non-Artistic Cultural Professionals in Europe. It is a first-of-its-kind research study examining mobility issues in the European culture scene within the two-year pilot project Changing Room.

NEW MIDDLE EASTERN RESIDENCY PROGRAMME…

2011-03-05T04:40:00.000-08:00

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has joined hands with The Delfina Foundation, Tashkeel and Art Dubai, with the support of the British Council, to host an artists-in-residence programme at Al Bastakiya. The temporarily renovated 10-room plus courtyard building will be transformed into a live-and-work space for two international artists as part of The Delfina Foundation's international artists' residency programme in collaboration with Tashkeel. Read more here

WHY NOT INDEED…

2011-03-05T04:34:00.000-08:00

Religare Art has announced the continuation of The WhyNot Place Residency Programme for the year 2011. Applications for the programme are now available on their website.

CUTS IN THE US….

2011-02-15T06:18:00.001-08:00

The US National Endowment for the Arts was facing a $12 million budget cut in the 2011 House Appropriations Bill. The House has now amended this proposal, slashing the NEA budget by $22.5 million, leaving the endowment with a $145 million budget. This drastic measure would result in the largest cut to the agency in 16 years. Arts advocates have already sent 10,000 messages to Congress. Next week, the proposal moves to the House floor, where amendments for even more drastic cuts are expected.

CALLS FOR ACTION…

2011-02-15T06:17:00.000-08:00

Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, Nina Ozlu Tunceli has recorded a podcast detailing the possibilities for federal action on funding for the arts in the next weeks. On the short recording, Ozlu Tunceli explains the confusing budget process currently underway and calls arts advocates into action to help make sure funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and other essential arts institutions and mechanisms remains in place for 2011 and beyond.

SELL THE SILVERWARE!!

2011-02-15T06:16:00.000-08:00

A bill has been proposed in the Iowa state legislature would require the University of Iowa to sell Jackson Pollock's "Mural," an 8-by-20-foot painting valued at $140 million, to pay for scholarships.

NOT MY PROBLEM…

2011-02-15T06:15:00.000-08:00

The culture minister, Ed Vaizey, has refused to intervene in local authority funding cuts being made to arts organisations and libraries across the UK and said many of the problems were down to long-term breakdowns in communication. Leaders of arts organisations have gathered in London for the second annual State of the Arts conference, organised by the RSA and Arts Council England. Many of them are going through torrid times, facing cuts on many fronts, including from local authorities. Somerset county council, for example, will meet next Wednesday to agree a budget that has a 100% cut in arts spending. On top of that hundreds of libraries – 20 out of 43 in Oxfordshire – are threatened with closure. But Vaizey said it was not his place to intervene. "Local government knows its local people far better than central government and while I might not agree with every decision made by a local authority, I respect their right to make that decision themselves.”

BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN ??

2011-02-15T06:14:00.001-08:00

Arts Council England chair Liz Forgan has called for respect for its new transparent decision process, as regularly funded organisations face funding cuts. More than 100 are likely to lose their funding altogether in grants to be announced at the end of March 2011.

MUSIC MIGHT BE SAVED…

2011-02-15T06:13:00.001-08:00

UK Education Secretary Michael Gove has agreed to protect the £82.5 million being spent on music education. Responding to the recommendations in the Henley review of music education, Gove said that all young people should have the chance to benefit fro...

EVEN TRADITIONAL MUSIC…

2011-02-15T06:11:00.000-08:00

The National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music, Scotland's only centre for excellence in traditional music may be saved from closure despite the apparently final decision by Highland council to axe its £300,000 annual funding. The council's proposal to completely stop funding the centre at Plockton high school near Skye, effectively closing it down, was raised with first minister Alex Salmond in the Scottish parliament recently just as councillors in Inverness rubber-stamped the decision. The Scottish government has issued a statement which raises hopes that Highland council may be forced to rescind the decision or that alternative funding could be found.

LOWERING FUNDING IN THE LOW COUNTRIES…

2011-02-15T06:09:00.000-08:00

With the government soon to withdraw as the chief financier of art and culture in The Netherlands, artists and culture enthusiasts will have to seek other ways to finance their artistic and cultural expressions. A call has been launched for artists, art managers, cultural entrepreneurs, individuals in trade and industry, public authorities, and those with a passion for art, to come up with alternative ways to finance culture and the arts. The most inventive, effective, and practical ideas will be invited to present them at a symposium at The Creative Factory in Rotterdam, 22 March 2011. Two of the most notable contributors will be rewarded and there will be a book and website dedicated to the ideas. The call is an initiative of the scientific staff and Master students of the International Master Programme in Cultural Economics and Cultural Entrepreneurship, Erasmus University, Rotterdam. We work with several organisations, including Cultuur en Ondernemen (Culture and Entrepreneurship), the Van den Ende Foundation, the Rotterdamse Raad voor Kunst en Cultuur (Rotterdam Council of Art and Culture) and NRC Handelsblad (Dutch newspaper). You are invited to send your contributions to info@klamer.nl by 25 February 2011.

BUT FREE MUSEUMS ACCESS IN CHINA…

2011-02-15T06:08:00.000-08:00

Chinese citizens will not have to pay to enter the country's public art galleries in two years, said a joint statement by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Finance released recently. By the end of 2011, there will be no charge for Chinese citizens to enter public art galleries at state and provincial levels. By the end of 2012, all public art galleries will be free for citizens, said the statement. The move comes after the nation offered free access of its museums and memorial halls to the public in 2008. The statement said that finance departments at all levels should increase investments to art galleries and libraries so they could run without charging, while also enabling them to improve basic public cultural services. The central government will also arrange special funds to subsidize art galleries and libraries in the less developed central and western parts of China.

AND LATERAL THINKING IN LATVIA…

2011-02-15T06:06:00.002-08:00

Despite the economic crisis and reduction of the public funding, new initiatives have emerged. In Latvia, numerous non-commercial initiatives have been established, moreover the development of creative industry undertakings are supported by several projects, such as Duka and Brigade. Duka is the initiative of the Riga City Council addressing the issue of empty commercial properties in the Latvian capital and promoting entrepreneurship at the same time. It offers empty commercial space to entrepreneurs at no charge except the cost for utilities such as water and electricity. Thanks to cheaper rent opportunities, several streets in Riga are changing their profile: expensive shops and offices are replaced by artisan shops, artists' initiatives and cosy cafés. The Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art in collaboration with other partners have launched (2010) an innovative support programme “Brigade” granting administrative and financial support to creative and financially sustainable proposals for the development of local communities.

CHASE THAT CHEVENING…

2011-02-15T06:06:00.001-08:00

If you are from outside the UK, have an excellent academic record and are interested in attending a UK university, then a British Chevening Scholarship could be right for you. Applications for Chevening scholarships 2011/2012 are now open. Successful candidates will study for a post-graduate university degree in the United Kingdom. The Chevening Scholarship covers tuition fees and a return flight to the UK, as well as the costs of enrollment at at British university and living costs for up to a year in the UK. The scheme is Funded by the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office and administered by the British Council.

MORE TO IT THAN CATS…

2011-02-15T06:05:00.001-08:00

Applications are now open for the TS Eliot US/UK Exchange – a transatlantic career opportunity for 50 of London’s top actors, writers, directors and producers aged 21 to 30. Participants spend a week living in New York, networking with top industry professionals, forming bonds with peer artists from both sides of the Atlantic and developing short plays to be performed in a high profile Manhattan venue. If you have questions that aren’t answered on the website, feel free to email James Quaife at ovnv@oldvictheatre.com.

EUROPEAN COLLABORATION…

2011-02-15T06:04:00.000-08:00

SPARDA (Shaping Perceptions and Attitudes to Realise Diversity Advantage) is a new joint programme between the Council of Europe and the European Union focusing on the most effective strategies for changing the often negative perceptions of migrants. On 21-22 February 2011, a SPARDA coordination meeting will take place in Strasbourg.