UK FUNDING UPDATES:

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.