The Latest Breaking News from Arts Council

Earlier this month, during the climax of Chicago rapper Noname’s headline gig in London, she paused, cut the accompaniment, and addressed her sold-out audience. “Can I hear you say free Palestine?” It was, of course, not the first time I’d been at a concert where the artist had made some…

In today’s newsletter: Artists reacted with fury to the warning that ‘overtly political or activist’ statements could lead to a withdrawal of funding. But it is just the latest example of the paucity of support for the arts

Funding body says it believes in freedom of expression, after policy changes sparked fears of censorship of artists

Robert Macfarlane, Feargal Sharkey and Matt Haig are among artists to react with fury to message about funding risks

Musicians say many feel they have no choice but to act over cuts and may have to leave industry altogether

Letters: Alan Davey thinks less money, less certainty in funding, and hostility to ideas leads to less risk taking and new work. Susan Jones sets out how Labour should take action

Letters: Jodi Myers on the gaps left by the demise of the Arts Council Touring department. Plus Nicholas Reckert and Jane Harvey on modern opera

Renowned violinist applauds the technical proficiency of young players although he finds new teaching methods a ‘brain and heart turn-off’

Opera company will leave capital by March 2029 and develop artistic programme for new base

The public body has extended the deadline for a new ENO main base outside London by three years.

Dramatists are increasingly being strung along and ignored. We must act now to save the UK’s great playwriting culture