Lib Dems in arts pledge
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to maintain the current levels of investment in arts and the creative industries. Launching the party’s cultural policy paper, The Power of Creativity, leader Nick Clegg said he promised “no big cuts to arts spending in our manifesto”. He said arts funding was “a duty, not an option” for any government.
Fund saves WW2 boats
A £580,000 National Heritage Memorial Fund grant has saved two of the last fully operational high-speed launches (pictured above) from the second world war, including one used in the D-Day landings. Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust paid £750,000 to take the vessels out of private ownership. They will occasionally be used to ferry visitors to the revamped Explosion! museum.
Museum awards extended
The Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence have added two categories for 2010. The Winstan Bond Trophy for Entrepreneurial Excellence, sponsored by the Association of Independent Museums, will be awarded to the museum that has increased public benefit, capital or income. The Innovations Award will recognise technological advances.
Type Museum fears
The Type Museum in south London faces being downgraded to an archive under an application with Lambeth Council. The museum, which is currently closed to the public, holds items of printing history. The Type Museum Trust fears that workshops and printing presses will be dismantled and educational use of the building will be lost if approval is given.
