Latest news with #DarrenHenley
The Guardian
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Arts Council England a victim of ‘London-centric' media coverage, CEO says
The chief executive of Arts Council England has launched an impassioned defence of the organisation, claiming it has suffered because of 'London-centric' media coverage. Darren Henley, who saw in his 10th anniversary as Arts Council England CEO last week, told the Guardian there was an imbalance in media coverage. He said London-based figures were able to get newspaper coverage while regional arts leaders to whom ACE has redistributed funds were not getting the same access. ACE is charged with distributing public and lottery funds to arts organisations in England. Henley said: 'I observe the London-centricity in our media. I go around the country, and the people who lead in those places don't get the half-page columns in our national newspapers as easily as the people who are London based. 'There's a power dynamic there … there's a sort of imbalance. Maybe the role I have to play when I'm sitting in the corridors of power in London is to be representative of all those places who don't have a seat at that table.' His comments come after several high-profile London-based arts leaders heavily criticised ACE after the classical venue Wigmore Hall announced that from 2026 it would no longer take public subsidies. Instead the venue has secured £10m in pledged donations, with John Gilhooly, the artistic and executive director of Wigmore Hall, saying he was grateful for ACE's support, but adding that 'it has lost its way'. Henley said: 'I absolutely respect people who have a view that says we're doing something that isn't for their liking or their taste. That's perfectly reasonable for a public body to be challenged that way … but there are lots and lots of people who I meet who say something different. 'You've got a lot of groups who are very passionate about all the things we do and maybe negative voices shout louder than positive voices.' The former Classic FM boss said that ACE was 'not waging war on classical' after the Wigmore Hall withdrawal and criticism from several figures in the sector. One high-profile broadside came from the former English National Opera artistic director David Pountney, who said ACE 'had it in' for opera. Henley said: 'It's really important that we have world class opera at the Royal Ballet here in London, in our capital city that is as good or better artistically as anywhere else in the world. It's really important. But I also think it's equally as important that we have a network of grassroots live music venues in towns across this country.' Henley also dismissed suggestions from former National Theatre artistic director Nicholas Hytner, who argued that ACE funding should follow a UK Sport model and pursue 'excellence'. Hytner said: 'UK Sport is absolutely ruthless about winning gold medals, and if you are one of the sports teams that suddenly does well and wins lots of gold medals, you get more funding next time. If you don't do well, you get less funding. So under his model, if the RSC had an amazing run and the National Theatre had a not-so-good run, money would be taken away from the National Theatre and given to the RSC. 'I think that is not really what he's actually arguing … I think there's a little bit of misunderstanding there.' The government has ordered a review of ACE, which distributes more than £500m of public money and more than £250m of national lottery money annually, and employs more than 650 people. Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, said the review would be the first step to restore 'people's connection with the arts and culture in every region of the country'.
The Guardian
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Arts Council England defends support of classical music amid loss of trust
Classical music and opera is 'absolutely essential to the lifeblood of the arts' and has the enthusiastic support of Arts Council England (ACE), its chief executive has said after coming under fire from a leading arts figure. Darren Henley, the chief executive of the body that distributes public and lottery funds to arts organisations in England, said investment in classical music was central to the council's programme. Henley sought to reassure the sector after John Gilhooly, the artistic and executive director of Wigmore Hall, a concert venue in central London, said ACE had lost the confidence of people in the classical music world. Gilhooly announced this week that from 2026 Wigmore Hall would no longer take public subsidies through ACE. Instead the venue has secured £10m in pledged donations, allowing it to be independent and artistically ambitious, he said. 'I'm a huge defender of ACE, and I'm grateful for their support in helping us get to where we are,' Gilhooly said. 'But in some ways it has lost its way.' In particular, the council's Let's Create strategy, which aims to ensure access to the arts for all, was 'desperately important' but had led to the council 'judging community events and the great artists of the world by the same criteria', he said. Wigmore Hall and the musicians it hosted were committed to community outreach, said Gilhooly, highlighting its Music for Life programme for people with dementia. It also runs a schools programme. But ACE was effectively 'asking us to step in and fix' the decimation of arts and music education in schools, he said. 'Music in the classroom is more or less gone. It's not good enough. In the 50s, 60s and 70s, when we were much poorer, there was brilliant music provision in schools, and every child got the opportunity to build their creativity and confidence. That's no longer there. 'We can go into classrooms, we can complement, but it's not enough. We can reach thousands of young people but what about those we're not getting to. The only way that will be fixed is through the school system.' John Tusa, who ran the Barbican arts centre for 22 years, said ACE had stopped being an advocate for the arts and had become a regulator. 'And the trouble with the regulators is that they interfere and they micromanage,' he said. Championing local and community arts projects was valuable, but 'unless you have the greatest art, the best art, that people want to follow, it's unlikely that you will get a strong community base. And [ACE] seem to have decided that they hate excellence.' The council should recognise 'a wonderful continuum, that starts at the top and goes all the way down to the pleasant and the humdrum and the community at the bottom, and they are all connected'. Few people in arts institutions agreed with ACE's strategy, but were reluctant to voice criticisms because they depended on public funding, Tusa said. 'But we really need an open debate about whether ACE delivers the best possible cultural experience for society as a whole.' The government has ordered a review of ACE, which distributes more than £500m of public money and more than £250m of national lottery money annually, and employs more than 650 people. Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, said the review would be the first step to restore 'people's connection with the arts and culture in every region of the country'. Responding to Gilhooly's comments, Henley said: 'The idea that we don't believe in, celebrate, invest in classical music is nonsense. We are here for every art form, every geography, every type of music. 'We're [supporting] world class, internationally significant work and a network of grassroots live music venues in towns across the country. They're all equally as important as each other.' In its 2023-2026 funding round, ACE allocated £220m to classical music and opera organisations, £92m to dance companies that work with orchestras and large ensembles, and £129m to venues and festivals that include classical music and opera in their output. The Let's Create strategy that underpins ACE's decision-making was intended to support the opportunity for everyone to develop their creativity and experience high quality cultural work. That included 'engagement and interaction with brilliant professional performers', said Henley. The strategy was 'not about dishonouring or not valuing the traditions that we have. We cherish those, but we also want to make sure that we take that wonderful repertoire and those wonderful performers to new audiences'. But, he added, there was a finite amount of money available. If organisations such as Wigmore Hall could secure income through the generosity of its supporters, public funding could be used elsewhere, he said. Wigmore Hall's ACE grant of £345,000 a year amounts to about 2% of its income, with the rest coming mainly from ticket sales, sponsors and donors. The 550-seat hall puts on about 600 concerts a year.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
You can get free entry to hundreds of top attractions this weekend and next week - here's how
Hundreds of top attractions are opening their doors for free or at seriously discounted prices this weekend and next week - you just need a lottery ticket to get the deal. National Lottery Open Week is back and, to celebrate 30 years of the lottery, organisers are promising it's going to be bigger than ever with more than 750 lottery-funded venues taking part. It includes the Tate Modern, London Science Museum, the Globe Theatre and Horniman Butterfly House in London together with the Roman Baths Time Detective Archaeology Experience in Bath. Closer to home, you can enjoy a film preview at MAC arts centre in Cannon Hill Park, explore Shakespeare's museums in Stratford-upon-Avon, spend the day at Chatsworth House, Garden and Farmyard near Derby, head to Aston Manor Road Transport Museum or visit Berrington Hall near Leominster. Read more: Easter holidays in Birmingham - days out, new attractions and things to do Get our free Brummie Mummies newsletter and listen to our podcasts here The offer runs from Saturday March 15 to Sunday March 23. Anyone with a valid online or retail National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard or Instant Win Game can enjoy a free or low-cost day out. Aston Manor Road Transport Museum in Walsall Up to 5 people (including children) can redeem free entry to the museum during The National Lottery Open Week with a National Lottery ticket/ scratchcard. This offer will run on 15–16 March, 18 March, 22–23 March. Booking in advance is not required. Shakespeare's New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon Enjoy free entry to Shakespeare's New Place and other Shakespeare family homes in Stratford-upon-Avon for one adult and up to three children per National Lottery ticket from Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 March. One National Lottery ticket or scratchcard will give free entry to one adult and up to three children under 16. Present your National Lottery ticket / scratchcard on arrival, no pre-booking required. Moseley Old Hall in Wolverhampton Free entry on 15–17 March and 21–23 March with proof of purchase of a lottery ticket. Baddesley Clinton near Solihull Free entry from March 15 to 23 with proof of purchase of a lottery ticket. Brockhampton near Bromyard Free entry from March 15 to 23 with proof of purchase of a lottery ticket. Packwood House near Lapworth Free entry from March 15 to 23 with proof of purchase of a lottery ticket. Wightwick Manor and Gardens near Wolverhampton Free entry from March 15 to 23 with proof of purchase of a lottery ticket. Biddulph Grange Gardens near Stoke on Trent Free entry from March 15 to 23 with proof of purchase of a lottery ticket. Croome near Worcester Free entry from March 15 to 23 with proof of purchase of a lottery ticket. Chedworth Roman Villa near Cheltenham Free entry from March 15 to 23 with proof of purchase of a lottery ticket. Check out the offers near you via the National Lottery Open Week website Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England and Chair of the National Lottery Forum said: 'We're delighted to mark National Lottery Open Week 2025 and giving people a chance to say yes to the joyful things in life - to get outside and explore the UK's rich history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture through free and low-cost days out. "This is our way of saying thank you to the players who raise an incredible £30million each week for Good Causes, supporting venues and projects across the arts, sports, community and heritage sectors."
The Guardian
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Five football clubs to get official poems
Five Premier League and Championship clubs will soon have official poems under a new scheme aimed at boosting literacy levels among young fans. Crystal Palace, Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Luton Town and Portsmouth are participating in A Poem for Your Club, launched by the National Literacy Trust (NLT) and Arts Council England (ACE). Each club will partner with a local professional poet, who will deliver writing workshops and other activities aimed at inspiring fans. By the end of the project, the clubs will each have an official poem written by fans which will 'reflect the spirit and cultures of local communities and can be displayed by the club to inspire others and reinforce local pride'. Football and poetry 'share a common use of language to express devotion and this project is a fantastic opportunity to engage everyone in celebrating their local culture in both the classroom and on the terraces', said Darren Henley, chief executive of ACE. The five clubs are located in 'priority' communities, where there has 'historically been a lack of investment in cultural opportunities for local people', according to the NLT. The project, funded by the Compton Poetry Fund, will run from February until the summer, when the football season ends. 'Sometimes described as poetry in motion, football has a unique ability to connect people through a shared language and experience,' said Jim Sells, senior programme manager for sport and alternative provision at the NLT. 'We know that sport can be a great motivator for inspiring reluctant or disengaged children and young people to get involved with writing.' Poet Naz Knight, who was born and raised in Luton, will be working with fans at Luton Town FC. 'Football and sports provide one of the last spaces where people can express their emotions freely and without judgment,' she said. 'By combining this openness with the transformative power of writing and performing poetry, we can foster connection and unity, elevating the sense of togetherness in our community.' Poet David Swann has been matched with Blackburn Rovers, while Alan Barrett will work with Stoke City and Dan Simpson with Crystal Palace. The poet for Portsmouth is yet to be announced. 'I've supported Palace since my childhood and can't wait to work with the communities the club supports,' said Simpson. 'Without books and footy, my life would be empty!' added Swann. 'That's why I'm so happy to be working on this project.' The scheme was designed in response to 'declining writing levels', said the NLT. In a 2024 survey, the charity found that just three in 10 children aged eight to 18 enjoy writing in their free time, with enjoyment levels dropping by 18.1 percentage points over the prior 14 years. Between 2023 and 2024, the drop in writing enjoyment levels for boys aged five to eight was particularly pronounced, falling 11.9 percentage points across the two years. The NLT has long used football as what it describes as a tool for 'literacy by stealth', having had a partnership with the Premier League for 20 years. The Premier League Primary Stars programme provides free teaching packs for lessons including 'Roving Reporters', which encourages pupils to write match reports, and 'Lion's Lair', for which students write sales pitches, learning to use persuasive language.
The Independent
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Nandy to announce millions in funding for museums, libraries and arts venues
Lisa Nandy is set to announce millions of pounds in extra funding for arts and cultural venues on Thursday, including a 5% budget increase for all national museums and art galleries. The Culture Secretary is expected to use a speech in Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare, to announce a new £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund to help organisations in urgent need of financial support. The announcement marks 60 years since the first arts white paper, issued by Labour arts minister Jennie Lee, that promised a vision of 'arts for everyone, everywhere'. For years to come, this new investment will help more people in more places to flourish by finding joy and connections with high-quality culture close to home Darren Henley, Arts Council England Ahead of her speech, Ms Nandy said: 'Arts and culture help us understand the world we live in, they shape and define society and are enjoyed by people in every part of our country. 'They are the building blocks of our world-leading creative industries and make a huge contribution towards boosting growth and breaking down barriers to opportunities for young people to learn the creative skills they need to succeed in Britain. 'The funding we are announcing today will allow the arts to continue to flourish across Britain, creating good jobs and growth by fixing the foundations in our cultural venues, museums, libraries and heritage institutions.' Ms Nandy is expected to give her speech to a group of leading figures from the arts and culture sectors at the Royal Shakespeare Company. As well as the budget increase for national museums and galleries, she is expected to commit to a series of investments including £85 million for capital works at arts venues, £25 million to maintain museums, £15 million to restore heritage buildings at risk and £5.5 million to improve libraries. British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan said the announcement was 'a wonderful investment in the UK's museums sector', while Natural History Museum director Doug Gurr said it would provide 'a vital lifeline to ensure we continue to reach and inspire audiences locally, nationally, globally'. The announcement follows Labour's manifesto pledge last year to improve access to the arts, saying they should 'no longer be the preserve of a privileged few'. It also follows the Deputy Prime Minister's announcement earlier in the week of £67 million for 10 cultural projects across the UK. Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England, said Thursday was 'a good news day for arts organisations, museums and libraries'. He added: 'We know how much cultural places and spaces are valued in towns and cities across the land. 'For years to come, this new investment will help more people in more places to flourish by finding joy and connections with high-quality culture close to home.'
