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

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:

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…

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…

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...

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…

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?...

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.