In context of the proposed changes to the English education system, the Education Committee has issued a short inquiry and call for evidence into the new English Baccalaureate (E-Bac). 

The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) has this week published details of how it intends to operate some aspects of the Government’s new non-EU migrant cap which will take effect from 6 April.

As part of the Big Society vision to shift funding for the arts away from public funding, there is ongoing debate across government on how to boost philanthropic giving.

Lecture to City University MA students; Launch of the NESTA creative clusters report.

The much anticipated Music Education in England Review by Darren Henley was released on 7 February. Overall, the report praised the role of music in education and contained a total of 36 recommendations to promote music education in England.

In response to the shifting of responsibilities from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council to the Arts Council, both organisations have released a ‘road map’ of museum Renaissance funding for 2011/12 and beyond.

Ed Vaizey MP delivered his speech on ‘The Creative Ecology’ to the audience at the State of the Arts conference on Thursday, 10 February. 

As part of the ongoing changes to the immigration Point Based System (PBS) to reduce immigration, the Migration Advisory Council (MAC) has released their recommended list of graduate level occupations to be included under Tier 2.

Kate Adie, Bishop of Liverpool, Grayson Perry and Professor Frank Furedi at Iconoclasts and Sacred Cows, Kings Place; Rebecca Eastmond at JP Morgan; David Barrie, Make Justice Work; Arts & Entertainment Task Force, UKBA.

On Tuesday the Culture Forum and NCA held their “The Arts, Heritage, and The Big Society” event; a discussion of where and how the arts heritage sector fits into the government’s Big Society vision.

On Thursday 3 February, in response to the ongoing cuts to arts funding, the Earl of Clancarty secured a debate in the House of Lords on public funding of the arts in the UK.

On Thursday, the Communities and Culture committee of the National Assembly for Wales published its report on access to the arts and culture in Wales.

On 20th January, the Secretary of State for Education announced a major review of the National Curriculum in England.

EPIC awards, House of Lords; Culture Forum/NCA Arts, Heritage and the Big Society event, University of East Anglia London; Lizzie Glithero-West, NMDC; Visual Arts Strategy Group; Mark Taylor, Museums Association; Launch of the National Assembly for Wales’ Communities and Culture Committee report on access to the arts and culture in Wales; Chris Ryde, WAPA; Mark Thomas, Wales Millennium Centre; Nick Capaldi, Arts Council of Wales; Kirsty Williams AM, Leader, Welsh Liberal Democrats

The Government has begun a review of licensing laws that pertain to child performance.

The Parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee is conducting an inquiry into the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights Online.

In late December, the Cabinet Office released a Green Paper for consultation as part of their initiative to encourage giving in the Big Society.

The NCA are hosting two events in the coming months which are of great interest to the sector. Places are popular so book now!

NCA Director, Louise de Winter, will be leaving the organisation in March after four years to take up a new challenge in the health sector.

The NCA are hosting two events in the coming months which are of great interest to the sector. Places are popular so book now!