September 2022
30 September - Factory International to launch freelancers' contract to support workers
Manchester arts venue Factory International is to launch a new contract for freelancers aimed at better supporting workers in the local area.
30 September - Theatre: Difficult years ahead, says director Peter Doran
One of Wales’ leading arts figures has warned of a “very difficult” few years ahead for theatres.
29 September - Arts salaries show evidence of class premium
Concerns raised over ”lack of support” for working class people in the arts as figures show they earn less than peers from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.
29 September - Is theatre's self-image preventing progress on its working culture?
The appalling reports of sexual harassment at the Professional Lighting and Sound Association’s industry event, are shocking. But they will probably not be surprising to many people who have worked backstage in the theatre and live events sector.
29 September - Sexual harassment and racism ‘endemic’ in UK music sector
Sexual harassment, racism and bullying are rife across the music sector on a “devastating scale”, according to a survey of professional musicians.
28 September - Cost-of-living crisis: how will it impact diversity in the arts?
Over the last three years, the arts sector has stumbled from crisis to crisis. Kevin Osborne thinks the bailouts have masked the structural issues that underpin current challenges.
28 September - 'Abuse of power': women call out harassment at trade show PLASA
Allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour at trade show PLASA have been made by several women who have spoken of suffering years of abuse from male colleagues.
27 September - The Cost Of Living Crisis for Artists
SOLT President Eleanor Lloyd interviewed on BBC Radio 4 Front Row about the impact of the cost of living crisis on theatre:
27 September - Arts websites 'reduce anxiety in young people'
Study finds first clear evidence that online engagement with arts and culture has a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.
27 September - An open letter to our new culture secretary from a lighting designer
Without culture, the UK would be an entirely different country, and a much less appealing one. But culture is not really a thing in itself, it’s the result of the people and organisations who make it
27 September - Broadway Kicks Off Fall Season With High Hopes and Lingering Uncertainty
Broadway hasn’t been the same since the pandemic. Just consider “The Phantom of the Opera.”
The recent closing announcement of the landmark long-runner underscored just how unpredictable the Street has become after the interruption of the 18-month shutdown and a bumpy restart.
26 September - Metta Theatre launches mentoring for 'under-represented voices'
Metta Theatre has launched a free mentoring and support programme for under-represented voices in theatre, which is entirely funded by donations.
23 September - Mini-budget ‘missed opportunity’ to help culture and night-time sectors
The Government’s mini-budget offers “little” for the UK’s live music industry and is a “missed opportunity” to help businesses struggling in the face of the cost-of-living crisis, groups have said.
23 September - Emergency budget: what it means for arts and culture sector
Raft of new economic polices lack specific measures for arts and culture but offer prospect of tax cuts for businesses and employees in bid to drive growth.
23 September - Gender pay gap in arts is decreasing – survey
The gender pay gap in the arts has fallen by seven percentage points in 2022 compared to four years ago, according to an online survey.
22 September - Fragile UK music industry calls for support amid slow recovery
The multibillion-pound UK music industry remains almost a third smaller than before the pandemic as rampant inflation, soaring costs and Brexit red tape threaten to derail its fragile recovery, a report warns.
21 September - Government to halve energy prices for theatres but industry urges more support
Energy prices for theatres are set to be cut to half the expected levels for the next six months, under a new support scheme announced by the government
13 September - Further productions cancel performances for Queen's funeral as SOLT and UK Theatre issue statement
Venues and organisations have been unilaterally cancelling performances next Monday (now set to be a Bank Holiday) and the two organisations have now confirmed the current position regarding theatres and the Queens funeral.
13 September - Information for theatregoers throughout the period of national mourning
Below is some useful information on theatre in London during the period of national mourning and in the run up to the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. Including a list of productions that will close.
13 September - If we want change in arts policy we have to ask for it – together
From red lights across the skies as a clarion call of theatres in crisis, to wrapping buildings in crime-scene-style tape, the pandemic has shown how creative – and effective – theatre is in making its presence felt when confronted with the unimaginable.
12 September - One culture secretary after another shows the government doesn't take the arts seriously
There have been 11 UK culture secretaries over the past 12 years. How many can you name? Maybe, like me, you have entirely excised Karen Bradley and Jeremy Wright from memory. The latest to be appointed is Michelle Donelan, replacing Nadine Dorries, who was both simultaneously a national joke and no laughing matter for the arts, the BBC and Channel 4.
9 September - Arts Council: Funding decisions will go ahead as planned
Arts Council England has confirmed that forthcoming funding decisions – including the next national portfolio round – will go ahead according to the planned timescale, despite the country being in a period of mourning.
9 September - Theatres will remain open but honour the Queen's passing, it has been confirmed
Queen Elizabeth II, who was a major patron of the arts during her life, has died aged 96
9 September - Updated statement from Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre on The Queen's death
Following the sad news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in accordance with official guidance, the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre have advised that theatres are expected to remain open from tonight and for the duration of the period of national mourning up until the funeral.
9 September - National Cinema Day can teach theatre a lesson in audience development
National Cinema Day prompts a consideration of whether live theatre could pull off a similar promotion
8 September - Theatre industry welcomes Truss' energy plan but calls for more detail urgently
Theatres, unions and industry bodies have tentatively welcomed a six-month package to help businesses navigate the energy crisis, but are urging the government to move swiftly to provide details and to prevent organisations being forced to close.
8 September - Six-months' support for businesses such as theatres under Liz Truss' energy plan
Businesses including theatres will be supported for six months under the prime minister’s plan to tackle the energy crisis, with further support for “vulnerable” industries after this period.
It comes as theatres warn that they risk closure without government support.
8 September - A word to the UK’s new culture secretary: Nadine Dorries was a toxic disaster. Do better
Arts and media were casualties in the ideological war waged by the Johnson government. They deserve a serious champion
7 September - Diversity group Inc Arts closes after efforts to save it fail
Diversity body Inc Arts has ceased trading, three years after it was founded and just months after chief executive Amanda Parker stepped down.
7 September - From WWE Marketing Manager to U.K.’s New Culture Secretary: 5 Things You Need to Know About Michelle Donelan
Late Tuesday evening local time, Michelle Donelan was appointed the U.K.’s latest secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS) by incoming Prime Minister Liz Truss (herself only elected on Monday.)
7 September - New culture secretary urged to protect theatres through cost-of-living crisis
New culture secretary Michelle Donelan is being urged to help steer the theatre sector through the escalating cost-of-living and energy crisis by organisations including UK Theatre, BECTU and the Society of London Theatre.
6 September - Michelle Donelan appointed culture secretary in cabinet reshuffle
Michelle Donelan has been appointed culture secretary as part of the cabinet reshuffle under new prime minister Liz Truss.
Donelan becomes the 11th MP to hold the post since 2012, and the appointment follows Nadine Dorries’ resignation.
6 September - Nadine Dorries has resigned as Culture Secretary following Boris Johnson’s departure from No 10.
In her resignation letter sent posted on Tuesday morning Dorries sais she was ‘delighted’ Liz Truss has been elected as Conservative Party Leader, describing her as a ‘worthy successor’.
6 September - Circuses warn of 'imploding' sector as visa delays shut out overseas talent
Circuses have warned that the sector is in crisis and that many of them face closure as a result of lengthy delays to the visa process for international artists.
5 September - Fringe and variety venues face 'decimation' in cost-of-living crisis – Equity
Fringe and variety venues across the UK are facing closure because of the cost-of-living emergency, Equity has warned.
5 September - Ticketing businesses reveal 85% drop in turnover during first year of pandemic
Turnover for ticketing businesses plummeted by an average 85% during the first year of the pandemic, according to a new report.
5 September - The failure of Unboxed festival is not a shortcoming of art but of government
…it appears the UK government has produced the granddaddy of all vanity projects by splashing £120 million on the nine-month festival originally proposed by Theresa May and known at the time as the Festival of Brexit, which then came to be called Unboxed – or the ‘deranged’ or ‘unhinged’ festival as many dubbed it.
2 September - It would have been better for everyone if the festival of Brexit had stayed in its box
Who could have predicted that Unboxed would be a such a surreal disaster? Literally everyone
2 September - Street performers are often overlooked, but our sector needs them
Amid the hubbub of the festival, street performance is one art form that often gets taken for granted, and its importance is frequently overlooked. The presence of these artists provides visitors to the city with some of their most visceral memories.
2 September - Arts funding in England is a thin gruel that organisations are forced to beg for
There’s no new money in the government’s levelling up of the arts wheeze: just a shifting of neglect from one place to another
1 September - Rage against the machine: Is AI in performance an opportunity or a threat?
Is artificial intelligence in performance an opportunity or existential threat? Theo Bosanquet meets the people investigating this technology, from theatre practitioners to academics, to try and find some answers
1 September - London mayor pledges £1.2m to help cultural spaces combat energy bills
London mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged £1.2 million to help creative spaces, including theatres, become more energy efficient, as heating costs spiral.