Tag: Department for Culture and Media

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 7 August 2023.

Works of art by contemporary artists from Wales and across the Midlands are to be displayed in embassies and government buildings around the world.

• Government Art Collection acquires more than 30 new pieces of art
• Artists include Jason Wilsher-Mills, Marlene Smith and Iwan Lewis
• Part of Art X-UK programme to collect works by exciting British artists for display in more than 125 countries

Works of art by contemporary artists from Wales and across the Midlands are to be displayed in embassies and government buildings around the world.

More than 30 new pieces have been acquired by the Government Art Collection (GAC) this year as the first instalment of a five-year drive to ensure it reflects creative talent from across the entirety of the UK.

The new works showcase the diversity of talent in Wales and the Midlands, including the work of Jason Wilsher-Mills from Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

Wilsher-Mills uses digital technologies such as iPads and Wacom tablets to allow him to produce large-scale detailed paintings, despite the physical challenges he faces living with chronic polyneuropathy.

He is well-known for leading community projects and has worked collaboratively with thousands of children and adults around the country to produce his work.

GAC has acquired two photographic pieces from Birmingham’s Marlene Smith and is discussing the acquisition of work from Keith Piper. Both are founder members of the Blk Art Group in Wolverhampton in 1979.

It has also collected prints by Farwa Moledina, who is based in Birmingham, which explore Muslim identities by creating rich patterns that often take the form of large, cloth-based installations.

One of the Welsh artists to be showcased is Iwan Lewis whose paintings draw on his experience of moving back to Ynys Môn, the island of Anglesey, North Wales, after living in London for 10 years. His work explores the history and mythology of these ancient landscapes as well as the impact of tourists to the region.

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

We benefit from an incredible breadth of artistic talent in this country, and I’m delighted that more works from Wales and the Midlands are being added to the Government Art Collection as part of our drive to include the work of talented artists from every part of the UK.

Being in the Government Art Collection means these works can be admired and enjoyed by a global audience — sharing the artistic brilliance of the UK with people all over the world.

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:

It’s great to see the work of Welsh artists showcased around the world in the Government Art Collection. We have a rich heritage of Welsh artists stretching back to the wonderful landscapes painted by Richard Wilson in the 18th century, to the art of Augustus and Gwen John, and into the 20th century with celebrated artists such as Kyffin Williams.

And that tradition is being continued with our vibrant contemporary art scene in Wales. Congratulations to Manon Awst, Nigel Hurlstone and Iwan Lewis whose work will now be seen by a new diverse global audience.

Last year, GAC, which is part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), launched a five-year acquisitions programme to procure works from exciting talent and showcase the best of British creativity – promoting further interest in the country’s globally renowned creative sector.

The Art X-UK project initially ran as a successful pilot scheme in 2020–21 when more than 90 pieces by 45 contemporary visual artists were acquired for the Collection.

These works are now on display in government buildings around the country and internationally in British embassies and residences including Paris, Ankara, The Holy See in Rome, and 10 Downing Street.

Later this year GAC will work with the Contemporary Visual Arts Network in the North East of England and the Scottish Contemporary Art Network to identify more talented artists from these regions to be featured in the Collection.

Paula Orrell, CVAN England, National Director said:

CVAN is delighted to be working with the Government Art Collection over the next five years. Art X-UK is a significant opportunity to support the profile of artists across England. Our networks are especially concerned with putting forward artists that perhaps curators may have yet to encounter.

Marlene Smith, artist said:

It means a great deal to me to have these works, which celebrate my Windrush-era parents, enter such an important collection for the nation.

Farwa Moledina, artist said:

I’m really delighted to be part of such a respected and recognised collection, and to represent Britain’s Muslim population through my work.

Notes to editors

In 2022–23, GAC worked in partnership with the Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) in East and West Midlands, and Visual Arts Group Wales (VAGW). Each network convened a panel of artists and curators who proposed a shortlist of artists from the region or nation for the GAC team to research. Artists whose work was acquired are:

West Midlands:

• Abdulrazaq Awofeso
• Vanley Burke
• Farwa Moledina
• Marlene Smith
• Keith Piper

Wales:

• Manon Awst
• Nigel Hurlstone
• Iwan Lewis

East Midlands:

• Jason Wilsher-Mills
• Miranda Smart

X-UK acquisitions programme 2022–27:

• 2022/23 – Wales, East Midlands and West Midlands
• 2023/24 – Scotland, North East
• 2024/25 – Northern Ireland, North West
• 2025/26 – Wales, Yorkshire, East
• 2026/27 – Scotland, South East, South West

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 7 August 2023.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has appointed Natalie Daniels as a Board Member of Sport England for a term of three years.

Natalie Daniels

Appointed from 07 August 2023 until 06 August 2026.

Natalie has been committed to building sustainable and inclusive communities throughout her career. As an urbanist, Natalie has worked in the UK, the USA, Africa and Asia delivering a variety of major programmes, and has won multiple awards for this work. Currently a senior public servant in regional government, Natalie is proud to lead a team committed to improving the lives of Londoners through housing delivery, specialist and supported housing services, and housing policy. An experienced board member, she has had the privilege of serving charities working across housing, homelessness and international development.

The leadership, energy and collaborative spirit Natalie brings to all her work she believes was built through her sporting escapades. She had the pleasure of playing – and coaching – football, rugby league and rugby union to respectable levels. As well as having the scars to show for her sporting experience, it has also given her a deep understanding of the immense benefits of exercise to individuals and communities.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Remuneration for these roles is set at £218 per day. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Natalie Daniels has not declared any significant political activity.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 4 August 2023.

New youth centres will be built and old ones refurbished to give young people better access to positive out-of-school activities as part of the next phase of the Youth Investment Fund.

• 12,000 young people to benefit from the redevelopment of 44 youth centres
• Upgrades funded by £70 million investment from Government’s Youth Investment Fund
• Plans announced alongside boost to Million Hours Fund meaning youth clubs can provide an extra night a week of youth work provision until 2026

New youth centres will be built and old ones refurbished as part of government plans to give young people better access to positive out-of-school activities as the next phase of the Youth Investment Fund is confirmed.

This follows Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer setting out her vision for the youth sector, that every young person should have “someone to talk to, something to do, somewhere to go.”

The plans will see 44 youth centres share a slice of £70 million Government funding through its Youth Investment Fund.

The funding will help as many as 12,000 extra 11 to 18-year-olds across the country having access to regular, positive activities every year, on top of the thousands of young people who already enjoy these opportunities.

In another boost for young people, The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK, has today confirmed it will match fund the initial Government commitment of £11 million for the Million Hours Fund bringing the total to £22 million.

Announced in March as part of the Prime Minister’s Anti Social Behaviour Action Plan, the move will mean hundreds of organisations in areas of high anti-social behaviour incidents can stay open for an extra night a week. The support is now guaranteed until March 2026.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

I want every young person to have the opportunity to access the kinds of life-changing activities which expand their horizons and allow them to develop vital life skills.

These next 44 youth centres will give 12,000 more young people the opportunity to access these activities. Building on the first tranche of Youth Investment Fund investment that is seeing new projects like the Alt Valley Communiversity opening in Liverpool and support for Scouts and Girlguiding groups to reduce their waiting lists.

We will make sure every young person has someone to talk to, something to do, somewhere to go.

The plans for youth centres announced today will mean young people can take part in activities such as dance, theatre, sport, music and art sessions as well as vital skills and employment training.

The announcement comes after the Culture Secretary laid out her commitment to boost youth services in a speech at the Onward think tank last month.

The investment will target youth services in some country’s most underserved areas where need is high and existing provision is low. The new funding means more than £160 million will have been committed to 87 centres in England since 2021. As many as 300 projects are expected to be built or renovated over the next two years.

Earlier this week the Culture Secretary cut the ribbon to reopen The Alt Valley Communiversity in Liverpool, the first major project to be completed through the Youth Investment Fund. The site received £343,000 to build a new industrial kitchen and an outdoor performance space. It will create more opportunities for skills development and expand its reach to an additional 100 participants a week.

Nick Temple, CEO of Social Investment Business said:

The Youth Investment Fund is all about prioritising the needs of young people in England and creating a more equal society for future generations. It is wonderful to see how the fund is already transforming young people’s opportunities to experience the joy of local youth services designed for, and by, young people. Today’s announcement means another 12,000 young people can access quality, sustainable and accessible youth clubs.

It is so exciting to see the first Youth Investment Fund projects open their doors to young people, giving them every opportunity to make friends, have fun, discover their passions, and thrive. And it is just the start: thousands more young people will benefit from new or expanded local youth services, supporting their wellbeing and helping them gain vital skills for life and work.

David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund, said:

We’re delighted to be match funding the Million Hours Fund to bring much-needed additional youth provision and activities to young people across England. Supporting children and young people to thrive is a strategic priority for us as the UK’s largest community funder. We want to thank National Lottery players for making this important investment into improving young people’s prospects and lives possible.

Recipients of the Youth Investment Fund are across England. The full list of beneficiaries include:

• The 105th Sheffield (High Green) Scout Group has been awarded over £1.8 million, allowing them to demolish and rebuild their Scout Group building. The new site will be bigger and more sustainable, including a new kitchen and outdoor space allowing the Scouts to complete more badge work and learn new skills. This will allow the group to expand its reach from 69 to a potential 267 11-18 year olds.
• Funding of nearly £974,000 will transform Burnley Boys and Girls Club for generations to come, with the grant allowing them to reach an additional 225 young people a week. The grant will pay for a new roof for their dilapidated sports hall, new outdoor facilities, as well the construction of a new two-storey extension that will house a gymnasium, a chill-out room and three counselling rooms.
• A grant of over £420,000 will allow The Chichester Shed to renovate its site into a vibrant, safe space, with constant open access youth offer in the evenings and throughout the holidays. An additional 121 young people will be supported, with a custom built space including everything from a community garden to graffiti wall. During the day the site will be used to support young people not engaged in education, employment, or training, supporting their wellbeing, and helping them to gain vital life skills.

This package of measures comes as part of the Government’s ‘National Youth Guarantee’ that, by 2025, every young person in England will have access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home, and volunteering opportunities. It is backed by more than £500 million.

Since the launch of the National Youth Guarantee, more than 2,100 additional places have also been created in uniformed youth groups such as Scouts and Girlguiding. As part of the over £16 million of funding allocated for uniformed groups, we will continue to recruit more adult volunteers, to help reduce waiting lists alongside creating additional places for young people.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s award has also been supported, with more than 15,500 participant places being created. It comes after the Government announced it would offer the award to every mainstream secondary state school in England for the first time – supporting young people who may face barriers to taking part, such as not being able to afford kit for outdoor expeditions.

Additional quotes

Alma Mason, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Alt Valley Communiversity said:

Young people are crying out for somewhere to go and thanks to the Youth Investment Fund we have been able to upgrade 6 of our centres, to provide state of the art youth facilities including theatre and dance studios, sports pitch and recording and podcasting studios. This will transform youth provision in our communities.

British Olympic Champion Boxer Natasha Jonas said:

I’m so proud to support this amazing campaign. Being a single mum of my beautiful daughter and giving her every opportunity is very important to me. Children from deprived areas need to know that they are allowed to be happy and have the right to enjoy activities that they have been denied through poverty.

This initiative will bring thousands of children the opportunities to grow and experience activities, teamwork and friendships to help them achieve a healthy, happy and fulfilling life.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 31 July 2023.

The Secretary of State has appointed Simon Ball, Dame Patricia Hodgson, Larissa Joy and Ralph Rimmer as Non-Executive Board Members for terms of three years.

Simon Ball

Appointed from 17 July 2023 until 16 July 2026.

As well as sitting on the Departmental Board, Simon has been appointed to chair the Department’s Audit and Risk Committee.

Simon served most recently as a non-executive director and Chair of Audit and Risk on the Organising Committee for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and as Senior Independent Director for Commonwealth Games England. His previous non-executive roles include Deputy Chair and SID at Cable and Wireless Communications plc, Chair of Anchura Group and on the boards of Morgan Stanley International, AIB Group plc, AIB Mortgage Bank, Leica Geosystems AG and Tribal Group.

Simon is a chartered accountant, whose executive career spanned both the Private and Public sectors, including positions on the boards of 3i Group plc (CFO), Robert Fleming Group (CFO) and Kleinwort Benson Ltd (CFO & COO), in addition to serving with HMG Department of Constitutional Affairs (as Director General Finance).

Dame Patricia Hodgson

Appointed from 06 July 2023 until 05 July 2026.

Dame Patricia Hodgson is a member of the Science & Technical Facilities Research Council, the Programme Board at the National Centre for Digital Innovation and Deputy Chair of Policy Exchange. She was previously Chair of Ofcom, a member of the UK’s AI Council, Chair of the School Teachers’ Pay Review Body, Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge and Senior Independent Non-Executive Member of the Competition Commission.

She recently chaired Policy Exchange’s Commission on the Reform of Government and has served on the Commission for Standards in Public Life. In her executive career, Patricia was a producer at the BBC, a main board Director, leading on strategy, policy and the BBC’s switch to digital, before becoming Chief Executive of the Independent Television Commission.

Larissa Joy

Appointed from 06 July 2023 until 05 July 2026.

Larissa is a Non-executive Director of international law firm Charles Russell Speechlys; a Non-Executive Director of search firm Saxton Bampfylde; Chairman of the Trust Board of international architecture practice Hawkins\Brown and a Non-executive Director of the Law Society of England and Wales. In her pro bono portfolio, she is Chair of The Foundling Museum; Chair of Social Business Trust (a consortium of Clifford Chance, Permira, Bain, EY, FT Group, Schroders and others); and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Thrive at Five.

Her previous roles include Vice Chairman of WPP’s Ogilvy Group UK; European COO of Weber Shandwick; Partner of emerging markets private equity firm Actis LLP; Non-executive Director of London & Quadrant (L&Q);Non-executive Director of Helpforce; and Chair of Sir Quentin Blake’s House of Illustration.

Larissa read law at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, completed her solicitor’s finals at the College of Law, London and studied at London Business School, where she completed her MBA. She holds a Licentiate from the Royal Academy of Music (LRAM) and a Fellowship of Trinity College London (FTCL). She was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Years Honours list in 2021.

Ralph Rimmer

Appointed from 06 July 2023 until 05 July 2026.

Ralph was first appointed as CEO of the Sheffield Eagles Super League club in 1997, a club which went on to produce the biggest cup upset in the history of the competition in winning the Challenge Cup in 1998. He then went on to be CEO at Huddersfield Giants and between 1997 and 2002 he managed the Irish International team.

In 2004 he was invited onto the Board of Huddersfield Town, during which time the club was rescued from Administration and went on to achieve promotion to League 1. He was also made Managing Director of the Kirklees Stadium Development Limited in 2004.

Following 7 years as Chief Operating Officer of the Rugby Football League, he was appointed CEO on 01 January 2018 and led the sport through the Covid pandemic. In addition he drove the RFLs ground-breaking strategic realignment whilst also leading the organisation in support of the RLWC team in the highly successful Rugby League World Cup 2021, which delivered competitions in Mens, Womens, Wheelchair and Physical Disability Rugby League team competitions. He was a director of the International RL Board for 6 years.

Since stepping down from his CEO position in 2023, he has been utilising his accumulated knowledge and expertise of the sporting world working as a consultant on several projects across the sports industry domestically and internationally. He was recently engaged by DCMS to help advise and support Rugby Union in this country.

The Audit and Risk Chair receives an annual remuneration of £20,000 per annum. The other roles receive an annual remuneration of £15,000 per annum. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Simon, Dame Patricia, Larissa and Ralph have not declared any such activity.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 27 July 2023.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has appointed Declan Keeney as the Northern Ireland Governor to the British Film Institute Board for a term of 4 years.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 27 July 2023.

The Prime Minister has appointed Victoria Siddall as Cultural Trustee to the National Portrait Gallery for a term of four years.

The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 26 July 2023.

The Prime Minister has reappointed Sir Guy Weston and Professor Margaret MacMillan as trustees of the Imperial War Museum.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 July 2023.

A public consultation process has been launched to look at how to conduct financial risk checks for problem gambling and at what level stake limits should be set for people playing online slot games.

• Government launches online slot stake-limit consultation as part of plans to curb harmful gambling
• Gambling Commission also launches consultation on how financial risk checks will work to make sure people are not accumulating life-changing losses
• Outdated rules which restrict casinos and bingo halls will be looked at as part of the consultation

A public consultation process has been launched to look at how to conduct financial risk checks for problem gambling and at what level stake limits should be set for people playing online slot games.

The move is the next step of the Government’s gambling white paper to update gambling rules for the smartphone era and protect those at risk of gambling harm including young adults.

The gambling industry, clinicians, academics, those with firsthand experience of harm, and the general public are invited to share their views.

Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said:

Three months ago we laid out proposals to update gambling laws and make them fit for the smartphone age.

Slot machines in casinos, arcades and betting shops have strict stake limits but very similar games online have none, which can lead to very large and rapid losses of money.

Today we are launching a consultation for a range of views on what the stake limit should be. I encourage you to have your say.

Online slot games are deemed a higher-risk gambling product, associated with large losses, long sessions and binge play.

According to NHS England surveys, 8.5 per cent of online slots, casino and bingo players report experiencing problem gambling, which is nearly 20 times higher than the adult population average. But unlike gaming machines in pubs, arcades and bookmakers, online slot games have no stake limits, which can make it too easy to incur potentially life-changing losses in minutes.

The Government is consulting on a maximum stake of between £2 and £15 per spin.

Public Health England research has also shown younger adults can be particularly vulnerable to gambling harms, due to a combination of common factors such as ongoing cognitive development and managing money for the first time.

The Government is also consulting on options to introduce greater protections when playing slots for 18 to 24-year-olds, such as lower stake limits of £2, £4, or requirements on operators to consider age as a risk factor for gambling-related harm.

While the online sector has seen significant growth since the 2005 Gambling Act, casinos and bingo halls continue to operate under outdated rules from that time, restricting their ability to compete.

Recommendations in today’s consultations will allow the land-based sector to thrive sustainably, respond to customer demand, and continue to recover from the impacts of Covid, while still protecting customers.

Gambling Commission Executive Director for research and policy Tim Miller said:

These consultations from the Government and the Gambling Commission offer the opportunity for people to have their say on proposals aimed at empowering and protecting consumers. Their launch represents a key moment in turning the commitments in the White Paper into reality.

Alongside the Government consultations, the Gambling Commission has also today published its own 12-week consultation on financial risk checks. These checks will force gambling operators to conduct checks to see if unusually high losses are likely to be harmful.

The Commission will also consult on improving consumer choice and giving players more control on direct marketing, meaning they will have options to opt-in to products and choose the channels they wish to receive marketing through.

Consultations to reduce the speed and intensity of online games, strengthen age verification in premises, look at management licences for operators and the processes of the Commission’s regulatory panel have also started today.

Later this summer, the Government will also launch a consultation on the details of the new gambling operator levy, a charge on betting companies, to fund gambling research, education and treatment, exploring options for the design of the levy, the amount to be collected, funding distribution and governance.

Health Minister Will Quince said:

Harmful gambling has widespread impacts. It affects more than people’s money, but their relationships and health as well.

We are working to protect people from the damaging impacts of harmful gambling by improving treatment options with specialist NHS gambling addiction treatment services.

Seven new gambling clinics will open this summer bringing vital support to more parts of the country, on top of the eight that are already open.

We will be working to better understand the evidence received in order to inform our approach.

The stake limit consultation published today will be open for 8 weeks, with the land based consultation lasting 10 weeks. Those with views or evidence to contribute are invited to do so via the gov.uk page.

The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 25 July 2023.

New rules to crack down on illegal ads, influencer scams and protect children online.

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 24 July 2023.

Charities and community organisations carrying out vital work to help vulnerable people are invited to apply for a major government support package

• Most vulnerable people in society protected from cost of living with £76 million government support package
• New fund supporting charities and community organisations providing vital services opens today
• Grants targeted at organisations struggling with rising costs and increased demand
• Delivers on Prime Minister’s commitment to support people with cost of living and protect low-income households

Charities and community organisations carrying out vital work to help vulnerable people are today invited to apply for a major government support package worth £76 million.

The fund will support frontline charities and community organisations struggling to meet increased demand for their critical services, such as the provision of food, emergency provisions, shelter, safe spaces, warmth and financial or housing advice.

This delivers on the Prime Minister’s commitment to support people with the cost of living and protect low-income households from rising costs.

Organisations can apply for grants worth between £10,000 and £75,000 to cover project and core costs, including office rent, utilities, staff and volunteers, from now until the end of March.

Minister for Civil Society Stuart Andrew said:

We recognise this is a tough time for families and businesses across the country, as they face rising prices and higher rents or mortgage payments.

And during tough times charity and community organisations are at the heart of society, supporting people struggling through life with care and compassion.

To deal with a sharp rise in demand resulting from cost of living pressures, we are supporting charities with £76 million to enable these lifeline services to cope with the increased demand they are facing and continue their good work.

The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund is the first portion of funding from a total pot of £101.5 million announced by the Chancellor at the Spring Budget. Charities and community organisations are encouraged to apply for the targeted support, with a focus on small to medium-sized voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations based in England.

David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund said:

We are pleased to be working alongside DCMS to distribute this funding on behalf of Government through the Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund.

This much-needed money will support charities and groups across England working under immense pressure to deliver critical services to communities struggling with the impact of the cost of living.

The remaining quarter of the funding announced at Budget, worth £25.5 million, will be used to fund measures over the next two years to help the long term energy and financial resilience of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, as well as supporting the Government’s commitment to meeting a net zero target by 2050. Details on the application process will be announced later this year.

Applications will be accepted until 16 October 2023. Further details on eligibility and the applications process can be found on The National Lottery Community Fund website, in their role as the intermediary grant maker.

The remaining quarter of the funding announced at Budget, worth £25.5 million, will be used to fund measures over the next two years to help the long term energy and financial resilience of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, as well as supporting the Government’s commitment to meeting a net zero target by 2050. Details on the application process will be announced later this year.