UK politics

Memorial to peace activist Brian Haw to stand opposite London's Imperial War Museum

The campaigner began protesting the Iraq war outside the Houses of Parliament in 2001 and remained camped at the site until his death in 2011

Ivorynews

UK government to extend ivory ban to include hippos, sperm whales, narwhals, orcas and walruses

Ministers hope to close loopholes that see aquatic mammals vulnerable to poaching, but dealers in antique scrimshaw works of art say it will destroy their business

Declassified documents on Parthenon Marbles reveal rift between UK government and British Museum

Foreign Office was dismissive of the museum's attempts to lobby for the contested sculptures in 1983

Ai Weiweiinterview

‘It is a crime against humanity’: Ai Weiwei discusses refugees in the UK, moving on from Covid and why Lego is his medium of choice

Design Museum exhibition brings together more than a million pieces collected by the artist including spouts and Stone Age tools

Even restituted artefacts—like Benin bronzes—need export licences from UK, says arts minister

Formal requirement for government licences may well prove to be yet another obstacle to a loan agreement for the Parthenon Marbles

Diaryblog

The camera adds ten pounds, but the canvas? Slimline Boris Johnson portrait receives mixed reviews

Richard Stone’s painting, unveiled at London’s Carlton Club, has shaved off a few pounds from the UK's former prime minister

LGBTQnews

Drag queen event at Tate Britain sparks protests between trans-rights activists and right-wing groups

Aida H Dee’s storytelling event disrupted by fighting outside London museum

UK culture ministry shake up: Lucy Frazer named secretary for 'refocussed' department

Prime minister Rishi Sunak has overhauled the country's Department for Culture, Media and Sport Digital, dropping "digital" from its mandate

LGBTQnews

Controversial UK politician slams Tate for hosting children's drag queen storytime session

Conservative Party peer Emma Nicholson has lambasted the London museum for "propaganda" in open letter

Germany kicks off major Benin bronze restitution with return of 20 artefacts to Nigeria

The agreement—signed by the two countries in July—involves the return of 1,100 objects in total

New sculpture unveiled outside London's King's Cross station makes 'homelessness impossible to ignore'

The work—highlighting the growing crisis of rough sleepers in the UK—will also travel to Birmingham

Arts Council England's £446m grants: who are the biggest winners and losers?

The announcement signalled a shift of resources away from London, a broader range of venues beyond traditional art museums and an overall reduction in real terms

Now is not the time for culture cuts: England's fragile arts ecosystem needs more, not less, support

While Arts Council England slashed many organisations’ funding, the German government set aside nearly €1bn to help cultural institutions weather the financial storm

Arts fundinganalysis

'Everyone will be far poorer': England's art organisations respond to 'short-sighted and foolish' national funding cuts

Learning and community outreach programmes under threat as Arts Council England funding shift wreaks deep financial damage on institutions

'Systematically underpaid': arts courses across UK grind to a halt amid nation's biggest university strike in history

Lecturers across the country are protesting university workers’ pay, pensions and working conditions

Do UK museums ignore violence against women?

Despite the availability of work by high-profile artists, leading institutions are reticent about confronting a pressing issue

Unboxed festival under new management as chief Martin Green joins Eurovision

Anticipated audience figures for event dubbed the Festival of Brexit will be released later this month

UK government launches inquiry into risks posed by NFT market and crypto

Department for Media, Culture and Sport is asking public for evidence related to the safety of current blockchain regulations

Brutal cuts to London arts organisations as national funds are moved away from capital

“We’ve had to make invidious choices”, says Arts Council England’s chair, Nicholas Serota, as funding portfolio for 2023-26 announced

National Gallery renovation plans contested—while Britain appoints new leader uncontested

In the letter for our November issue, editor Alison Cole reflects on the tumultuous times of two London institutions

'Will the new UK government support the art market?'

The UK’s new culture secretary—the seventh in six years—has a lot on her plate, so whether the art market gets much of her attention remains to be seen

UK heritage minister says government has no plans to amend law that prevents museums from 'disposing' of objects

The 1983 National Heritage Act was debated in the House of Lords—but the issue of reform will be further discussed ahead of its 40-year anniversary in May 2023

Artist robot goes to UK parliament—and gives politicians nightmares

“Contemporary art project” Ai-Da gave evidence to the House of Lords, taking questions from bemused members

Art was never Queen Elizabeth II's passion—but her image was truly iconic

“You have to be seen to be believed,” was the Queen’s maxim for her own bold and supremely colourful attire

Mark Wallinger launches digital art project to raise legal funds for London pollution group

The Islington-based campaigners Nocado are fighting to prevent retailers Ocado and Marks & Spencer from setting up a depot adjacent to a primary school

UK court of appeal rules Colston statue toppling a 'violent' act—but protestors still 'not guilty'

Case was escalated after some Conservative MPs criticised the acquittal of the four protestors who removed the public monument

UK museums to temporarily close out of respect for Elizabeth II's funeral

Tate Modern and Southbank Centre will be open overnight to provide toilet facilities to those queueing to see the Queen's coffin