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When do the arts become news? Does the staging of , a new play about religious tolerance - which will tour the UK and which is directed by - warrant two minutes of News at Ten time?

Is how the chooses to spend its - or, rather, your - money news? Does the lack of political and public debate about the quality of architecture in the public realm need investigation? Can the launch of a new book, film, video game, exhibition, CD, play or TV series ever be news simply because it has something important and pertinent to say? My answer is an unequivocal "yes"; is yours?

, the 19th-Century poet, artist and critic, had this to say:

I agree. And that's why I believe all aspects of the arts should be properly, rigorously and dispassionately reported within the context of ´óÏó´«Ã½ News.

And to be clear: for me, the arts encompass all areas of artistic expression, whether that means a new album from , a storyline in or Daniel Barenboim playing Beethoven's concertos at the .

This blog aims to spark conversations, opinions and insights into what's going on in the arts - the good, the bad and the quirky.

I hope that, between us, we can also initiate larger-scale debates exploring major themes and look to foster communities around areas of special interest or framed around an idea.

I might occasionally post about my experience of being the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s first arts editor and how I am adjusting to life as a full-time journalist and broadcaster. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is, after all, a very significant arts organisation itself; I suspect that my experience is unlikely to be boring. Gomp/arts, with your help, shouldn't be boring either.

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