An image of the interior of the Grimm & Co shop.

Long Reads

Take a closer look at how public investment in artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries changes lives in in villages, towns and cities across England.

View all our long reads

Investing in the power of reading

Here at Arts Council England, we invest in every part of the literature sector. From festivals and publishers, to poets, comic books, story centres, and archives – we’re interested in all of it, and passionate about supporting those who work hard to make it so rich and varied.

Two children sat in a room reading at the Story Museum
Photo by Andrew Walmsley for The Story Museum
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How creativity transformed my life

Tess Tainton, from Stoke-On-Trent, shares her story about finding her purpose through creativity and culture in the most challenging times of her life. Content warning: Tess speaks about her experience with homelessness, mental ill-health and suicide.

Image of Tess at starter day looking at a puppet
Photo by Starter Day Images by Andrew Billington Photography
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Celebrating 70 years of national treasures saved for the public

From a ring once owned by Jane Austen, to a tiny Roman statue buried deep in the ground, over the past 70 years, national treasures have been saved for the nation, impacting and inspiring museums, galleries, libraries and their audiences across the country.

A image of a clay crab with big eyes and a droopy grin
Photo by Large sculpture of Anthropomorphic Crab, R.W. Martin, 1880. Salt glazed ceramic. PLYBX.2020.1 Acquired with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Henry Moore Foundation and the Decorative Arts Society
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Queer in the wye

A project aimed at giving voices to LGBTQIA+ people living on the England/Wales border.

A person paints a sun.

Teaching moral courage

Anita Sethi visits The National Holocaust Centre and Museum

Close up of the embroidery saying the words 'courage', from the Strode banner
Photo by Close up detail of the embroidery with the words Courage and the Glastonbury wristbands pictured, from the Strode banner © Jasper Casey
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Headlining from your front garden

The festival season is back with a twist, just in time for the 10 year celebration.

Audiences at the Coopers Arms in Highbridge for the Front Garden Music Festival 2022, with Seed Sedgemoor. Image by Beni Evans
Photo by Audiences at the Coopers Arms in Highbridge for the Front Garden Music Festival 2022, with Seed Sedgemoor. Image by Beni Evans
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Creating visual music

Kevin Walker, aka Signkid, has used his own experiences as a deaf rapper to help make the arts more accessible for his community. Read more about him!

A portrait of SignKid
Photo by Gabrielle Salonga
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Comics as a catalyst for change

A photo essay of SelfMadeHero's Graphic Anthology programme

Image © Woodrow Phoenix – ‘Convolute’ for SelfMadeHero’s Graphic Anthology Pogramme
Photo by Image © Woodrow Phoenix – ‘Convolute’ for SelfMadeHero’s Graphic Anthology Pogramme
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A musical canon for everyone

Open Orchestras supports Music Education Hubs, arts organisations and schools to create orchestras that are accessible to young disabled people.

Images © Open Up Music, New Siblands School, Clive Tagg, Lewisham Music and Greenvale School Open Orchestras
Photo by Images © Open Up Music, New Siblands School, Clive Tagg, Lewisham Music and Greenvale School Open Orchestras
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Conscious

Suki Chan takes us through her DYCP funded project exploring consciousness, Artificial Intelligence and dementia.

Close up image of a beehive
Photo by Natural Hive © Suki Chan
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