The post-election cabinet reshuffle has seen the departure from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport of Chris Smith, who had survived a number of reshuffles during the last parliament to stay as Secretary of State for the full four years. He is replaced by Tessa Jowell, formerly of the Department of Education and Employment, one of whose responsibilities was the New Deal employment programme. A 54 year old former psychiatric social worker, she is a strong Blair supporter and describes herself as a "post-feminist". She is MP for Dulwich and West Norwood in London, a very safe Labour seat.
Chris Smith now becomes a backbencher.
Other relevant cabinet changes
The former Education Secretary, David Blunkett, moves to the Home Office to become Home Secretary and his place at the DfEE has been taken by Estelle Morris, schools minister in the previous parliament. What effect this move will have on the place of the Arts in education - and, indeed on the development of specialist schools - remains to be seen.
Gordon Brown remains as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Because of the government's commitment in their election manifesto to the further development of services, especially education, the National Health Service and the fight against crime, he may have less money to devote to the Arts.
The new Welsh Secretary is Paul Murphy; Helen Liddle is Scottish Secretary and John Reid has the Northern Ireland portfolio. The Welsh portfolio could be particularly sensitive as the arts establishment in Wales is known to be very angry about the perceived disparity between the amounts allocated to England and Scotland as compared to what Wales receives.
This year sees another increase in the size of the Edinburgh Fringe: 1462 shows are being presented by 666 companies from 49 countries, and the biggest growth has been in Theatre, with 592 shows being presented, almost a quarter more than last year.
For the first time this year there will be a special deal available for tickets for most shows: anyone buying a ticket on Sunday 5th and Monday 6th August will be offered two for the price of one. This offer has been made possible by a Lottery grant from the Scottish Arts Council of £28,700.
The Fringe's free outdoor extravaganza, which attracts crowds of up to 150,000, Fringe Sunday 12th August), is moving from its previous Queen's Park site at Holyrood to the Meadows, between North and Middle Meadow Walk.
As well as being a family day out with food stalls and fairground, Fringe companies take the opportunity to preview their shows in a number of marquees and in the open air. This year will also see a kids' treasure hunt and an ice-cream eating competition. Free transport will also be laid on.
The Chief Executive of the Really Useful Group, Andre Ptaszynski, has joined the board of the Royal National Theatre. His previous poistions include running the production company Pola Jones, being a board member of the Oxford Stage Company and president of the Society of London Theatre.
A veritable who's who of British directing talent has been suggested as being considered as a replacement for Trevor Nunn when he leaves the National Theatre in September 2002. Names rumoured to be under consideration are Nicholas Hytner, John Caird, Stephen Daldry, Sam Mendes and Jude Kelly.
It has to be said, however, that it would be very strange if any of these names were not on the RNT's "hit list"!