In brief

An online archive of Chinese history and culture in Manchester has been launched. The £50,000 project was developed by the Manchester Chinese Centre, Manchester City Council and the Museum of  Science and Industry in Manchester. The archive documents Chinese heritage in the city since the 1900s.

http://bit.ly/lEUdnC

More than 4,000 properties will take part in Heritage Open Days 2011, an English Heritage event offering free access to sites that are normally closed to the public or charge admission. The event is being held on 8-11 September. Next year’s event will be run by a partnership of the Heritage Alliance, Civic Voice and the National Trust.

www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed funding for its sponsored museums. The National Army Museum and Royal Air Force Museum will receive increases of £0.4m and £0.6m respectively over the next four years. The National Museum of the Royal Navy, which consists of the Royal Naval Museum, Fleet Air Arm Museum, Royal Marines Museum and Royal Navy Submarine Museum, will receive £3.8m in 2013-14 (a rise of £0.4m), although this will be cut to £3.2m in 2014-15.

More than 500 arts professionals have sent an open letter to Arts Council England criticising a lack of support for digital art practice within the National Portfolio, the replacement for the Regularly Funded Organisations system.