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April 18, 2005

Don't Call Us We Won't Call You

Stung by a raft of negative news stories the dance department of Arts Council England in London is now refusing to accept phone calls from everyones favourite dance publication (maybe not 'everyone's' favourite! Ed!)

When calling ACE's central switchboard last week we were immediately informed that should we wish to contact the dance dept. we should do so by email. Lab members were somewhat perplexed since the nature of the call had not even been explained. The switchboard supervisor admitted when pressed for further details that the dance dept. had put a block on any calls from Article19 being put through.

To date the dept. has refused to answer question regarding ACE employees apparently misleading Article19 on the existence of press material for their Capture series of films and missing Freedom of Information Act requests.

Alex Holdaway, press officer for ACE in London told us via email that;

"As with most organisations, the usual practice at the Arts Council is that all media enquiries are directed to our press offices, any emails sent to Rebecca Dawson or any one else in the dance department would be forwarded to me or my colleagues in the relevant regional office. We are unable to provide a cuttings service but obviously, it is the press office that is like to hold cuttings rather than the art form departments and if we can we will of course be happy to help."

Ms Holdaway did not respond to the specific points on ACE misleading Article19 or the missing FOIA requests.

To date the dance dept. has not replied to numerous request by email for information or several phone messages to answer specific points.