Budget cuts across Europe
Cuts to arts and culture budgets are being felt throughout Europe, a survey by Sica, the Dutch Centre for International Cultural Activities, has concluded. Sica found Latvia among the hardest hit, with a 48% cut in its arts budget compared with 2008 and a 67% drop in film funding. It warned that Germany faced “irreversible” damage and that UK funding could suffer until 2012 if National Lottery proceeds were diverted towards the Olympics.
www.sica.nl
New galleries for IWM
The Imperial War Museum London has unveiled plans to build new first world war galleries by 2014. Architects Foster + Partners have developed a masterplan for gallery and exhibition spaces within the existing building’s footprint.
Art Fund Collect launched
The Arts Fund and Crafts Council have launched Art Fund Collect 2011. The £75,000 scheme offers UK curators the chance to buy a piece of contemporary craft for their museum or gallery. Curators have until 9 March to submit their applications, and a shortlist will be announced later that month. Selected curators will then have the chance to pick pieces from the Collect craft fair in May.
www.artfund.org/artfundcollect
MLA business report
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council has published Getting Down to Business, a collection of essays drawn from the Knowledge Transfer Programme. The three-year research project examined practical ideas for the transfer of information between businesses and the cultural sector through 100 museums and library professionals.
