The 2011 UK Arts Index Report

In order to download a copy of the Arts Index report you need to become a member of the NCA. The report gives a full breakdown of the data collected across 20 indicators, including in-depth anaylsis of the regional, national and UK wide picture. If you are a member, simply log in and then follow this link.

Following the announcement from Jeremy Hunt MP, earlier in the year, the Creative Industries Council finally met this week for the first time. The council is a joint forum chaired by Vince Cable (Sec. State for Business, Innovation & Skills) and Creative Industries Minister, Ed Vaizey. The group includes representatives from across the sector including the Design Council, ACE and Harper Collins. A press release from DCMS said the group would provide a forum for action and ensuring a stronger voice for the sector, as well as, a stronger partnership with Government.

Recently covered in the press, Baroness Floella Benjamin and MP Don Foster have joined a number of cross party parliamentarians, to discuss issues relating to children’s media and arts.

On Thursday, Labour MPs raised a number of burning issues during the DCMS departmental question time.

Alison McGovern MP (Labour) has tabled an early day motion (EDM) in the Commons, to voice her concerns over the lack of funding provision for local culture.

On Monday, the Government released the much anticipated Giving White Paper, which aims to increase philanthropy and giving in the UK. The proposals form part of the wider Big Society agenda and hope to make charitable giving as easy as possible. Following on from the Giving Green Paper consultation in March, the paper outlines a number of changes including:

Tuesday brought the announcement of a wide review into film policy. The Government has tasked the panel of eight industry experts, led by former culture secretary Lord Smith of Finsbury, to review all aspects of the film industry including production, distribution and exhibition. The review will consider alternative models of growth and sustainability for the sector, as well as opportunities to nurture and methods of engaging talent. The call for evidence is expected in early June.

The review will be seeking suggestions and contributions from all of those interested in the film industry including audiences and film makers.

To read more about the review click here and here for the terms of reference

On Thursday the jointly commissioned report from BIS and DCMS, which explores the financing of the Creative Industry, was released. The report provides a thorough analysis of the financial variations within the sub sectors of the Creative Industry, the research draws on statistical, as well as, survey evidence from business and financial providers. The Government hopes to use the findings as part of the ongoing, wider development of a Creative Industries Funding Guide.

To read more about the report click here

To read the full report click here

We are more: Act for culture in Europe is a campaign, set up to promote the importance of culture in European Union policy; it comes in preparation for the forthcoming EU budget for 2014-20. Talks take place in July so it is important to sign up and show your support today.

On Wednesday, shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis MP announced the launch of a Labour party policy review of the future of the creative industries.  The review was launched in response to the fear that the UK is at risk of losing the competitive advantage it has gained in the creative sector over the last two decades. 

On Wednesday, George Osborne presented a speech outlining the Government’s budget measures for 2011 which included incentives to encourage philanthropy.

The National Accounting Office (NAO) has released its audit of DCMS, stating “it is not possible to conclude that the Department [DCMS] is achieving value for money.”

Creative Scotland has released its first corporate plan outlining how it will manage its inherited responsibilities from Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen. 

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

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.

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

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

Two reports have been published this week examining the role of the creative and cultural sectors in society.

Plans for the Government’s philanthropy scheme were set out by the Secretary of State for Culture, Jeremy Hunt, in a speech at the European Association for Philanthropy and Giving (EAPG)’s annual conference on Wednesday 8 December.

It was confirmed Thursday 9 December that Arts Council England (ACE) are to take control of certain museum and library functions following the abolition of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).