NEWSROOM
DCMS Committee Review of Arts Council England: To what extent is Comedy a neglected artform?
On March 17, 2026, the DCMS Committee ‘Oral evidence: Review of Arts Council England’ commenced. We thank Committee Chair and CRAFT patron, Dame Caroline Dinenage, for asking Baroness Hodge a series of questions on comedy, including:
1. “the Arts Council review did not mention comedy”,
2. “to what extent do you think that comedy is a neglected artform?”, and
3. “should the Arts Council be considering comedy as an artform in its own right?”.
The CRAFT Newsroom offers you a timeline from June to March 2026, showing our communications regarding recognition comedy as an artform. We will formally reply to the DCMS Committee in respect to the comedy questions and answers provided at the Oral Evidence session on March 17. We would like to work with the Committee, DCMS, ACE and Baroness Hodge, to give comedy the recognition it deserves. If not now, when?
Samantha Niblett MP, CRAFT political patron, announces CRAFT in the House of COMMONS
Parliament recognises comedy as an artform — and supports CRAFT: In the House of Commons, Samantha Niblett MP of South Derbyshire raised the importance of comedy as a core part of British society, directing her Buisness Question to the Leader of the House of Commons, The Rt Hon. Sir Alan Campbell MP.
Business rates relief for venues: Where does Live comedy sit alongside Live Music?
Following Dr Simon Opher MP's query to the Treasury, comedy venues may be eligible for the 15% business rates relief, but eligibility is determined by individual Local Authorities. Check your rateable value and don't assume you're automatically included.
