“There is very little good news coming out of Arts Council England at the moment, particularly with the recent implementation of a 35% cut in grants for the arts – down from £83m to £54m for the year 2007-08. Now, after the catastrophic communication breakdown surrounding the announcement, comes a sign that the Arts Council is trying very hard to listen to the artistic community” — as well it should, Lyn Gardner writes. “Instead of the current relationship, which often seems like that of weary parent and fractious toddler, there must be a relationship of equals.”