ACE code contravenes government guidelines
ACE's code of practice is in contravention of the government's guidelines, the Ombudsman has said, in that it "effectively applies a blanket ban on the release of certain categories of information." As a result the organisation has withdrawn the code and replaced it with one which keeps to the guidelines.
The Open Hand Theatre Company had complained to the Ombudsman when ACE did not renew its fixed term funding agreement without giving any reason. The Ombudsman has invited the company to represent its case and the way is now open for it to bring a legal claim against ACE for maladministration.
New artistic associate at Chichester
The Chichester Festival Theatre has appointed David Suchet as Artistic Associate, the first of three unpaid associate posts created to advise director Andrew Welch.
Extra £500,000 for Scottish theatre
Funding for Scottish theatre has increased by 9.7% (£460,000) the Scottish Arts Council has announced. £400,000 will go to Scotland on Stage, a national production fund, and £43,000 will be targeted on children and young people.
The Lord Provost of Edinburgh has called a "summit" meeting of the directors of the Fringe and the International Festival on 7th December to try to sort out the problems caused by the divergence between the dates of the two festivals.