Phoenix from the ACE

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The continuing saga of the restructuring of arts bodies in England is, it seems, drawing to a conclusion. A single new entity is scheduled to come into existence on April 2, comprising a national office and governing national council, plus nine regional offices and councils. Regional boundaries will follow English RDA regions (which in Arts terms means High Peak switches from North West to East Midlands, and Cumbria from Northern to North West). The regional offices will continue to work under their existing RAB titles until the autumn, when a new branding will be launched, which may include a new organisation name to replace the current Arts Council of England.

Each region will have its own governing council and will be responsible for grant decision making. But it is not yet clear whether existing central ACE Lottery programmes will be devolved or remain with the new national body. More details are expected next month.