One way to sway the polls…

Thanks Nathan!

Me too, and thank you!

Thanks Jonathan, in this climate I need it(!)

A laptop sits on a table with a mug and a rainbow icing coloured cookie. Behind are books and rainbow flags

Just hit submit on a big funding application for a project I really believe in and is absolutely a passion project of mine built from scratch. Still lots of other fundraising to do but this was the biggie. Very fitting to hit submit whilst in The Pride Shop in Nottingham.

A brown paper bag, inside a fresh sourdough bread dusted with flour.

Saturday morning, drive to the bakery, fresh Sourdough, toasted, melted butter, jam. Perfection.

You made all the right decisions.

I got Jacob the mini croissants (and a more generic Waitrose egg)

Curiosity as Democratic Practice On artists and what democracy actually requires

“When we defund the arts, close venues, cut arts education, and shrink the places where encounter can happen, we lose the rooms where people practice being changed by what they encounter. And nothing I’ve seen rebuilds that once it’s gone.”

open.substack.com/pub/emilkang...

Things that bring me immense pleasure:
• Chocolate melting on the tongue
• The momentum of the last 100 pages of a book.
• Standing in front of a painting and feeling
• Being cocooned with my boyfriend in the night.
• The sun on my face

The Problem with "The Arts" How two words mask a dozen problems

„The arts sector has spent decades in a defensive crouch, arguing for its own existence in the vaguest possible terms, and it’s gotten us nowhere useful. We don’t need to defend the arts. We need to say which arts, for whom, and what specifically we’re asking for.“

open.substack.com/pub/emilkang...

Bluebells emerging in a wood. Flecks of purple as they flower amongst the trees.

No turning back now, the bluebells are flowering in the local woods so spring is here to embrace them.

Or maybe I’m the one to embrace the spring and all that comes with it?

Fifty People Control the Culture The state of the culture 2026

Really enjoyed this read from Jan about how only 50 people control culture but how we, as independent creatives can push back and find ways of existing outside this.

substack.com/@tedgioia/no...

Also I find it very annoying as a solo theatre goer because it costs me more than others who book multiple tickets if it’s per transaction.

NT have already introduced it to their phone lines, but online booking is new. I only discovered it when trying to find a running time as it’s quite hidden.

The problem being that most organisations don’t want to increase their ticket prices and frame it through transaction/booking fee increases and then blame the rise in the cost of these.

I see the National Theatre is introducing transaction fees from 1 April. Just a small £4 on top of your ticket price.

Look, I know costs are mounting for organisations and historically venues have absorbed the transaction fees but the amount you pass onto the ticket booker has to be justified.

Wuthering Heights: so much style; so little substance.

Oh that sounds delightful. You have a great time too.

Really good thanks, much more settled and feel like I am finding my place again. Plus I am just on my way to the airport for a 10 day holiday!

A plate with a fried breakfast on it. Veggie sausages (3), sliced mushrooms, baked beans and scrambled eggs.

Breakfast for dinner? That’ll do.

Thank you so much for these recommendations. Exactly what I was looking for as I’ve done the majority of the big places and don’t know the knowledge of some of the more specific museums. Also never heard of the Tenement Museum - fascinating!

Ah. Well it’s always good to step out of your comfort zone.

I was looking at the Frick but I tend to lean more contemporary.

Heading to New York on Thursday. Any recommendations for must see exhibitions I should be trying to see? Or experiences beyond the tourist attractions?

Jake in a luminous green jacket, a green hat and green glasses standing in a wood looking at the camera.

Light can be seen between trees. The beginnings of a sunset. Moss covers the ground.

A long gap in trees stretching into the distance. The air is Misty, it’s winter in the woods.

A large puddle reflects the trees in the background creating a striking mirror image within the woods.

Been spending a lot of time walking around the woods close to my partner’s house in my free time. It’s gorgeous no matter the weather and makes me feel alive.

Feel like there has been a big influx of spam accounts in the past week. Quite annoying indeed.

I’m intrigued by the rest of that headline…

Gotta keep watching until episode 3 and it all changes. I mean, sexy yeah but definitely brings heart and really emotional.

Doh. But hey, onwards!

Nah, it’s actually just a little birthday person for him.