Our daily roundup of news from the art world
UK Arts Council Escapes Major Cuts in Spending Review | Sighs of relief from the arts sector, as the deep cuts many feared would be announced in today’s Spending Review failed to materialise. Instead, the Arts Council understands that it will receive ‘a small increase in cash terms…for the four years up to 2019/20’. Chancellor George Osborne also pledged to maintain free entry to national museums, and will consider a new tax credit encouraging institutions to stage ‘creative’ exhibitions. However, far larger cuts to local government could signal trouble for council-run museums. Will local authorities come under pressure to dispose of cultural assets as they feel the squeeze?
New Bridge Commission Announced For London | At long last, planners have unveiled the winning design for a pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting Pimlico to Nine Elms. But according to The Guardian, the proposal is facing vociferous opposition from of the residents on the river’s north bank, who describe it as a ‘sales ploy’ by property developers invested in the other side.
Rem Koolhaas Wins Manchester Factory Commission | Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas has won a major commission to design the home for Manchester’s much touted Factory arts centre. Work on the initiative – which is championed by Apollo award winner Maria Balshaw – is slated to begin next year, with an estimated completion date of 2019. The government today agreed revenue funding of £9m per annum from 2018/19 for the project, in addition to the £78m it has already pledged in capital funding.
Niarchos Foundation Withdraws Donation | The Niarchos Foundation has withdrawn its €3m donation to Greece’s National Museum of Contemporary Art, reports Ekathimerini. It is understood that the museum failed to meet the agreed terms of the pledge.
New Museum Planned for Warsaw | According to The Art Newspaper, Grazyna Kulczyk, Poland’s ‘richest woman’ is planning to build a museum in the country’s capital to house and display her art collection. She intends to open the space in 2018, and hopes that the city will cover some of the running costs.
$100m Announced for Indiana Culture | The state of Indiana’s cultural institutions have been granted $100m courtesy of the Lilly Endowment, reports the New York Times. Recipients will include the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.