Sector hails 'historic' end of EBacc, unsung freelancers + overlapping artists and academics

[Arts Professional]

News, features and opinion from Arts Professional View online  NEWS & FEATURES News | RSC and campaigners herald ‘historic moment’ for renewed arts emphasis in schools The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Independent Society of Musicians (ISM), and campaigners fighting for an arts-rich national curriculum have welcomed confirmation the government will scrap the controversial English Baccalaureate (EBacc).… Guide | The invisible backbone: Freelance enablers in the arts Behind every performance, exhibition and education or community project, significant numbers of undervalued freelancers are making work happen. Anita Holford thinks they deserve greater recognition. Feature | Shared ground: Artists, academics and the rise of the independent researcher Increasingly, artists and academics inhabit overlapping terrains. Supporting their precarity demands new infrastructure, argue NCACE’s Suzie Leighton and 'Funmi Adewole-Elliott. Guide | Autumn Budget: What to expect and what industry leaders are calling for As the 2025 Autumn Budget announcement approaches, cultural organisations across the UK are looking to the government for clarification on issues ranging from ring-fenced arts funding to creative industries tax… News | Arts sector criticises ‘brutal’ grant decision times as ACE pauses creative practice fund Changes to how Arts Council England funds individual artists announced by the funding body yesterday (30 October) have left some in the sector “frustrated” and “perturbed” as grant decisions will… News | UK’s first-ever illustration centre to end ‘overlooked’ status of historic art form A £12.5 million project to establish the UK’s first dedicated centre for illustration will address a gap in museums and galleries that has overlooked the art form, its director has… News | Gang violence play to reach hundreds more young people in expanded second year A Lyric Hammersmith production educating young people on gang violence and exploitation will reach hundreds more young people in its second year. The team behind Cross the Line, a collaboration… Feature | A national reputation for funding the arts When Christina Foyle died in 1999, leaving £59m to charity, her executors set up the Foyle Foundation to disburse this to charitable causes. As the foundation nears closure, chief executive David Hall reflects on its 25-year journey. News | Creative jobs require ‘exceptional talent’, young people tell DCMS study Too few parents and young people know the breadth of jobs available within the creative industries, research commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has revealed. The… News | Arts leaders Arlene Phillips and Sir Mark Elder join voices urging the end of the EBacc Choreographer Arlene Phillips, conductor Sir Mark Elder, and actor Bertie Carvel are among the signatories to an open letter demanding the Prime Minister stick to his stated aim to “make… Read more...  CHANGING FACES Cathedral leader among trustees to serve another term at ‘at-risk’ heritage fund Three National Heritage Memorial Fund trustees have been reappointed for four-year terms by Prime Minister… Disability charity signals ‘renewed’ belief in its mission with trio of recruits An organisation committed to connecting disabled people with the music and live event industries has… More changing faces...  NEWS IN BRIEF Creative leaders to weigh in on inquiry into AI and copyright A new inquiry into artificial intelligence (AI) and copyright, which will hear evidence from organisations representing musicians, authors, photographers and the news industry, has been… Heritage body rocked by racism allegations launches probe The chair of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has confirmed an investigation into allegations of corruption, admitting the organisation had faced “a troubled period”. Sir Mark… Charity Governance Code issues ‘significant refresh’ on behaviour and inclusivity guidance Updates to the Charity Governance Code have advised trustees to remain “open to new ideas, approaches or partnerships” at the not-for-profit organisations they serve. The… Poole Museum revamp ‘just the beginning’ as building reopens after £10m regeneration A redevelopment project that cost more than £10 million is to conclude with the reopening of Poole Museum next week. The museum, which has gained… UNESCO names 58 cities in expanded Creative Cities list Kenyan port city Kisumu and Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh have joined UNESCO’s network of urban creative hotspots, joining a list that now numbers some 408 sites.… Read more... TOP JOBS Development Director National Youth Jazz Orchestra Woolwich / Hybrid £55,000 Closing: 24 November 2025 We’re looking for a visionary fundraiser to lead our development strategy and join our Senior Management Team Head of Programme Tobacco Factory Theatres Bristol £36,000 Closing: 17 November 2025 The Head of Programme leads Tobacco Factory Theatres’ year-round programme across received and in-house productions, artist development and our participatory/community work. Head of Spaces Outer Spaces Scotland £40,000 - 45,000 Closing: 17 November 2025 A creative and experienced visual arts professional to lead the development, management and delivery of a portfolio of temporary art spaces across towns and cities in Scotland. Programme Manager Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford £34,000 Closing: 24 November 2025 The Programme Manager will provide programming, production planning and management support to the Director for the theatre’s presented and produced work.    Chief Executive London Music Fund London £70,000 Closing: 01 December 2025 The London Music Fund is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive to lead the next stage of its growth and impact. Director Cast Doncaster, South Yorkshire £65,500 Closing: 01 December 2025 This is a rare opportunity for a visionary leader to take on one of South Yorkshire's premier cultural institutions. Creative Director & Joint CEO Jacksons Lane London £52,000 Closing: 21 November 2025 Flagship arts and cultural venue in Haringey Jacksons Lane is seeking an artistic leader to lead our team alongside our Executive Director & Joint CEO. More jobs... EVENTS & LEARNING Safeguarding Courses Artswork Professional Development Online Tailored safeguarding training for the creative, cultural & heritage sectors: interactive, sector-specific learning. Project Management Courses Artswork Professional Development Online Project management for creative, cultural & heritage sectors - interactive courses on a range of practical topics. Supporting People, Safety & Wellbeing Courses Artswork Professional Development Online Interactive courses on wellbeing, trauma, behaviour, risk and safety, and supporting young people tailored for creative & cultural settings. eLearning (Self-Guided Courses) Artswork Professional Development Online Learn safeguarding, inclusion, survey design & more anytime, anywhere with our flexible self-guided eLearning courses. Sustainable digital marketing practices HdK Online November 25, 2025 How can we promote our organisations and cultural experiences, in a way that’s responsible? Symposium: Teaching Artistry in Action Curious Minds Liverpool December 2, 2025 A space to explore how the work of artists who teach across education, culture and communities can be recognised, valued and sustained. Leading Systemic Change Clore Leadership UK-Wide January 5, 2026 - January 29, 2027 What does it take to move beyond surviving the present challenges and instead lead transformation across the cultural sector? Call for applications: NCCPE 2026 Engage Academy National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) South West January 26, 2026 - July 31, 2026 The NCCPE Engage Academy is a 7-month national programme for public engagement professionals. Designed to help you grow as a change-maker in your organisation. Executive Coaching - Foundation Level Training Guildhall Ignite at Guildhall School of Music & Drama Online and London February 10, 2026 - February 24, 2026 Take the next step in your leadership career with our executive coach training and learn what it takes to bring out exceptional performance in other senior leaders and executives. Family Arts Conference 2026: Changemakers & Storytellers Family Arts Campaign North East February 12, 2026 The UK’s largest family arts and culture conference returns on Thursday 12th February 2026 at Northern Stage, Newcastle. Executive and Professional Performance Coaching Guildhall Ignite at Guildhall School of Music & Drama – Online and In Person Personal performance coaching connects you with your unique sense of purpose so that you can experience being seen and acknowledged for who you are, whatever your stage at work. Health & Safety in the Creative, Cultural & Heritage Sectors Artswork Professional Development – November 26, 2025 – Online A practical half-day course to help you manage risks and ensure safety in creative and cultural workplaces. Measuring Impact & Evaluation in the Creative, Cultural & Heritage Sectors Artswork Professional Development – December 3, 2025 – Online A comprehensive full-day course for practitioners seeking a practical understanding of evaluation in the arts. Toolbox 2026 101 Outdoor Arts – January 26, 2026 - January 29, 2026 – South East TOOLBOX is a holistic residency programme for producers working in unconventional spaces, designed to nurture both the person and the professional. More events... FROM THE ARCHIVE This time last year... November 7, 2024 ACE explores ‘radical’ new business models for arts organisations Cultural organisations in England are working with Arts Council England to look at “radical” new business models, the public funding body has announced. Speaking at the Clore Leadership and Cultural… This week five years ago... November 5, 2020 EXCLUSIVE: Due diligence checks on emergency grants were automated New software that assesses thousands of applications at once gave Arts Council England funding applicants a red, amber or green rating based on their risk of fraud or financial failure. Way back when... November 6, 2015 Private income growth brings extra £127m into the arts Two-thirds of England’s National Portfolio Organisations achieved growth in revenues from trading and philanthropy between 2011 and 2014, with the National Theatre leading the charge. Unsubscribe / mailing preferences   |   View online Arts Professional Media Ltd Milton Hall, Ely Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6WZ Copyright Arts Professional Media Ltd. 2025, all rights reserved