"We need another £25m," says ACE
An additional £25m will be needed to implement The Next Stage, the Arts Council of England's response to the Boyden Report on the state of regional theatre (see last week's feature).
Support for the proposals has come from across the entire theatre spectrum: the National Campaign for the Arts and Equity have both voiced their agreement, whilst many of thsoe not covered by the proposals have added their plea for new money to deal with their own indebtedness.
Clwyd Theatr Cymru funding announced
The Arts Council of Wales has announced the annual revenue grant to Clwyd Theatr Cymru of £1,134,122. This supports the theatre's running costs and artistic programme and follows confirmation of a partnership grant of £947,000 from Flintshire County Council.
Glasgow City Council is to be prosecuted under Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 which makes it an offence for a local authority to fund any group which intentionally promotes homosexuality in schools. Nurse Sheena Strain, funded by the Christian Institute, is taking the council to court for unlawfully spending council tax money on promoting homosexuality by funding the performing arts festival Glasgay! and theatre company mct.
This is thought to be the first prosecution under the imfamous Clause 28 and will probably come to court in six weeks or so. The city council has suspended all grants to gay groups pending the outcome of the case.