The Department for Culture, Media and Sport published its autumn 2008 performance report, showing progress against its public service agreement targets.
Source: Autumn Performance Report 2008, Cm 7518, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Dec
A report set out a new approach to culture and learning, aimed at ensuring the provision of high-quality, sustainable, and equitable cultural learning opportunities.
Source: Rick Rogers, Culture and Learning: A new agenda for advocacy and action, Culture and Learning Consortium, c/o Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation (020 7297 4700)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Dec
A think-tank report called for audiences, critics, and cultural professionals to change their attitudes in order to allow greater access to, and participation in, cultural activities.
Source: John Holden, Democratic Culture: Opening up the arts to everyone, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Dec
An article examined the relationship between social class membership and cultural participation and taste, in the areas of music, reading, television and film, visual arts, leisure, and eating out.
Source: Brigitte Le Roux, Henry Rouanet, Mike Savage and Alan Warde, 'Class and cultural division in the UK', Sociology, Volume 42 Issue 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Dec
A survey examined the extent of cultural participation in Scotland. 79 per cent of adults had participated in a cultural activity in the previous 12 months. The most common category of cultural activity was reading or buying books (69 per cent), followed by any type of performance (25 per cent), craftwork (20 per cent), buying cultural items (17 per cent), and visual arts (15 per cent). Those living in the least deprived areas were much more likely than those in the most deprived areas to have done any type of cultural activity. Those on lower incomes were less likely to participate than those on higher incomes.
Source: People and Culture in Scotland: Results from the Scottish Household Survey Culture and Sport Module 2007, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Nov
An article examined regional disparities in private funding of cultural enterprises. Differences between the 12 regions accounted for between one-quarter and one-third of overall funding inequalities. The largest contributor to funding inequality of cultural institutions was the degree of heterogeneity among cultural organizations within each region.
Source: Diego Méndez-Carbajo and Javier Stanziola, 'Patterns of inequality in private funding of culture across the UK', Cultural Trends, Volume 17 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Sep
A report examined the role of transport as a barrier to participation in cultural activities in Scotland, and made recommendations on how accessibility by public transport could be improved.
Source: Steer Davies Gleave, Exploring the Links Between Transport and Culture, Scottish Government (web publication only)
Date: 2008-Aug
A report examined the relationship between the creative industries and universities. 'Creative universities' had added significant value to the creative economy and to community cohesion.
Source: Chris Atton, Alistair McCleery, Hayes Mabweazara and Simon Ward, Creative Futures: Building the creative economy through universities, Million+ (020 7717 1655)
Links: Report | Summary | Million+ press release | Bedfordshire University press release
Date: 2008-Jul
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport published its annual report for 2007-08.
Source: Annual Report 2008, Cm 7400, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-May
The government published a strategy designed to improve the delivery of cultural and sport services to local people. It also clarified the respective roles and responsibilities in delivering the strategy of all the major stakeholders in the culture and sport sector.
Source: A Passion for Excellence: An improvement strategy for culture and sport, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (020 7211 6200) and Local Government Association
Links: Strategy
Date: 2008-Mar
The government announced a new £25 million 'Find Your Talent' scheme, designed to give young people in England the chance to experience high-quality arts and culture. The programme would be piloted in 10 areas. It would ultimately offer children 5 hours of arts and culture per week, during and outside the school day.
Source: Press release 13 February 2008, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0870 000 2288)
Links: DCSF press release | NCH press release | NASUWT press release | NUT press release | PAT press release | Liberal Democrats press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2008-Feb
The government published an action plan for the creative industries. 5,000 apprenticeships would help people from all backgrounds make the most of their creative skills.
Source: Creative Britain: New talents for the new economy, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (020 7211 6200)
Links: Action plan | DCMS press release | LGA press release | Liberal Democrats press release | BBC report | FT report
Date: 2008-Feb
A think-tank report invited views on ways to embed 'cultural learning' more firmly in the education and learning sectors and in cultural organizations.
Source: John Holden, Culture and Learning: Towards a new agenda, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Date: 2008-Feb
An article examined whether lower prices stimulated attendance at live arts performances overall and among low-income groups in particular. Although ticket prices influenced attendance generally, the response of different income groups was similar, with a 10 per cent increase in price accompanied by a 9 per cent drop in demand. Price controls might be effective in increasing overall attendance levels: but they might not prove adequate whenever the main aim was to reduce the gap in participation across social groups.
Source: Francesca Borgonovi, 'Lower prices improve diversity in the performing arts: is this true and does it matter?', Journal of Social Policy, Volume 37 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Jan
A government-commissioned report proposed new ways to recognize and reward high-quality work in the arts and in museums and galleries, and place risk-taking and innovation at the centre of the funding framework for every cultural organization. The board of every cultural organization should contain at least two artists and/or practitioners. All publicly funded cultural organizations should remove admission charges for everyone for one week each year.
Source: Brian McMaster, Supporting Excellence in the Arts: From measurement to judgment, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (020 7211 6200)
Links: Report | DCMS press release
Date: 2008-Jan