The Midland Bank has withdrawn its sponsorship of the Royal Opera, saying it is too élistist and old-fashioned, and doesn't suit the bank's new image. The Paul Hamlyn Foundation has also dropped its sponsorship. These losses will cause further problems for the House, which is already in deep financial trouble.
Court's first Writers' Festival starts
The Royal Court launched its first International Writers' Festival this week. The festival runs until 20th December and will feature plays by three young writers from Germany, France and Spain.
Duncan Weldon has resigned as director of the troubled Chichester Festival Theatre. At the same time administrator David Bownes was suspended and details of a £200,000 rescue package was announced to the press before Weldon was told.
The RSC's accumulated deficit has reached £1.6m, says chairman Sir Geoffrey Cass, as compared to a prift in 1996 of £200,000. The company received a "standstill" ACE grant of £8.9m which will lead to an overall £2.65m loss by March '98.
Greater Lottery power for RABs
Under plans being considered by ACE, regional arts boards will decide which companies will receive small-scale grants under the Lottery's capital projects scheme. ACE is also likely to cap large grants at £15m, because of the pressure on finds caused by the addition of a sixth "good cause".
The Arts Council of England is in chaos, says D'Oyley Carte chairman, Sir Michael Bishop. Delays in dealing with stabilisation funding, he says, means that the company cannot plan next season.Arts for Everyone grants have topped the £9m mark. 79 awards have been made in the second round, with one of the largest (£469,000) going to Arts About Manchester.