AGP Executive Report

Traditional Arts: India’s President Droupadi Murmu called for more training, financial independence and wider opportunities for rural artists, saying recognition alone does not remove barriers to reaching national and international audiences. Music and AI: Streaming platforms and musicians are pushing back against AI-generated “slop”; Spotify says it has removed millions of spam tracks from recommendations, while listeners are gravitating toward music made with traditional instruments. Festival News: London’s GALA has announced Four Tet, Shy FX and HAAi among the acts for its 2027 Peckham festival. Cultural Ambitions: Ipswich missed the shortlist for UK City of Culture 2029; its bid focused on young people, everyday stories and the town’s riverfront. Country Music: A 20th-anniversary tour by the Chicks revisits the backlash that followed Natalie Maines’s criticism of George W. Bush, a flashpoint that still shapes the genre’s relationship with dissent. Religious Heritage: A Maryland man pleaded guilty to defacing 12 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery with swastikas and other antisemitic symbols.

Indigenous Heritage: Manobo and Talaandig communities in Bukidnon marked Indigenous Peoples Month by celebrating traditions that sustain cultural identity, customary governance and care for the land. Campus Arts: Sacramento State studio art students say deteriorating facilities and the administration’s response have left them feeling dismissed; they are calling for greater equity for the arts. Faith & Community: A Hindu festival stampede in India killed 17 people and injured 25. In Rugby, England, Navratri celebrations brought families together for prayer, music and Garba dancing. Music: A new generation of regional Mexican artists is blending traditional sounds with more personal, less aggressive lyrics. Students in Iowa City, meanwhile, say they’re looking beyond streaming recommendations to find less familiar music. Migration & Identity: A New York exhibit uses portraits and personal stories to highlight immigrants’ contributions as neighbors, workers, artists and community leaders.

Indigenous Heritage: Manobo and Talaandig communities in Bukidnon marked Indigenous Peoples Month by sharing living traditions, from thanksgiving rituals and customary governance to sustainable forest stewardship. Plural Society: Malaysia plans a national conference on building identity and unity across its diverse communities, with officials stressing respect and understanding. Living Heritage: An Oman forum is exploring how fine art can help preserve traditions, knowledge and customs. Sacred Places: Thirty congregations will receive more than $9 million to restore historic religious buildings that also serve as community hubs. Art in Wartime: A Danish volunteer has launched an online gallery for Ukrainian artists, donating part of each sale to frontline medics. Rights and Religion: Ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s Bahrain visit, rights groups urged him to address a crackdown that has included mass arrests of Shia clerics and allegations of unfair trials.

Stage & Identity: Filipino performer Atasha Muhlach has won praise for her first lead role in the musical Bongga Ka ‘Day, after critics questioned whether she earned the part on merit. Cultural Festival: Changwon’s MAMF returns Oct. 23–25 with music, food and traditions from migrant communities, with Uzbekistan featured as guest country. Health & Ethnicity: A study of 62.5 million people in England finds broad ethnic labels can hide sharp differences in rare-disease prevalence, highlighting the limits of one-size-fits-all categories. Music & Heritage: New Zealand singer Stan Walker marked 17 years in music with a sold-out symphonic show, weaving te reo Māori songs and pride in identity into the performance. Faith & Rights: A report on religious freedom in Pakistan warns that minorities remain vulnerable to blasphemy-law abuse and mob violence, and calls for an independent national commission. Food & Culture: In Tibet, entrepreneur Gonbu serves coffee with yak milk, barley and butter, turning local flavors into a way to share nomadic heritage.

Music’s Global Reach: Warner Music India is expanding its South Indian catalogue through the acquisition of Gemini Music and new partnerships, aiming to bring Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada music to wider audiences. Kraftwerk will bring its multimedia show to Halifax’s Piece Hall next June, blending electronic music, animation and performance art. Tradition, Reimagined: Hanbok Culture Week has opened with fashion shows, workshops and events at 410 venues in Korea and abroad. In India, a truck slogan about K-dramas shows how global fandom is finding a distinctly local voice. Cultural Bridges: Berlin’s Al Diwan Arabic Book Fair is introducing German audiences to Arab literature, while a new partnership between the University of Galway and Galway City Museum will build on a survivor-led exhibition about Ireland’s Mother and Baby institutions, which drew nearly 64,000 visitors. Justice and Identity: Delhi Police have filed charges against seven people over the alleged mob killing of Manipuri music teacher Chongtham Vikram Singh, who died after an assault in September.

Public Life: England is moving to fine bus passengers up to £100 for playing music aloud, alongside a headphone campaign for train riders. Creative Rights: Music publishers warn that AI firms have trained on works by Australian artists including Kylie Minogue and Nick Cave without compensation, as lawmakers weigh copyright rules. Art & Heritage: Australia’s Holmes Prize returns with lifelike bird paintings and a $20,000 top award; Qatar is also inviting calligraphers worldwide to enter its Akhlaq prize. Music: Tamil film composer Deva has died at 75 and was laid to rest with state honours, prompting tributes to his influence on generations of listeners. Festival Safety: A stampede at a religious gathering in India killed at least 19 people after heavy rain, renewing attention to crowd safety at large events. On the Cultural Calendar: Sydney’s new Aloha Festival will bring music, surf films and First Nations and Hawaiian cultural programming to Dee Why Beach in 2027.

Public Safety: A speeding truck struck devotees at a temple festival in India’s Madhya Pradesh state, killing 13 people, officials said. Music & Heritage: Malaysian star Siti Nurhaliza drew 63,000 fans to a concert celebrating traditional music, while officials urged her to take the sound to a global audience. Cultural Craft: In Kashmir, instrument maker Mushtaq Ahmad Dar is keeping the rabab-making tradition alive, learning the craft from his father and hoping the next generation will carry it on. Musical Legacy: Tamil composer Deva, who scored more than 400 films and shaped generations of cinema music, has died at 75. Live Music: UK MPs are pressing the competition watchdog to investigate Live Nation’s influence across venues, festivals, promotion and ticketing, citing concerns about market dominance and fairness for fans.

Durga Puja Tragedy: At least 17 people were killed and 25 injured in a stampede at a crowded Kolkata celebration. Authorities are investigating crowd control, and the government has announced compensation for victims’ families. Tamil Music: Veteran composer Deva, 75, has died in Chennai. Known for iconic film scores and Rajinikanth’s entrance music, he was mourned by leading stars and will receive state honours. Living Traditions: Telangana’s Saddula Bathukamma brings nine days of flower displays, folk songs and community celebrations to a close. Filipino Culture: Thousands gathered in Tallahassee for a festival of Filipino food, arts, crafts and performances, while Filipino artists in Doha used music and dance to bring comfort and solidarity to migrant workers.

Tamil Music: Composer Deva, who brought Chennai’s gaana sound to mainstream cinema and scored several Rajinikanth hits, has died at 75. Tributes poured in from film and political figures. Living Heritage: Indonesia plans to promote Prambanan Temple as a religious tourism destination, with a Shiva festival planned for early 2027 to connect visitors with the site’s history and help preserve it. Street Art: A Birmingham mural mocking Network Rail’s redevelopment plans has drawn attention to the threatened Warehouse community hub and nearby independent businesses. Irish Creativity: Artist and author Kathi Burke reflects on a playful practice spanning painting, collage and printmaking, alongside 30 children’s books made with her father. On Stage: Olivia Rodrigo’s first of three sold-out Boston shows explores relationship changes and self-worth through a flower-filled, seasonal production.

Living Traditions: As Dashain begins in Nepal, communities in Sudurpaschim are seeing traditional music and rituals fade as lifestyles change, raising questions about how younger generations will inherit local customs. Art in Wartime: Ukrainian artist Petro Antyp says he will not restore the drone-damaged section of Cosmogony, the world’s largest painting, until the war ends; about 150 square metres burned, while its central image of humanity survived. Creative Economy: Dubai says it ranked first among 233 cities for new foreign-investment projects in cultural and creative industries in 2025, its fourth consecutive year at the top. Culture and Memory: A new Tate Britain exhibition looks back at 1990s art and fashion as a more offline era of shared creativity, while Atlanta’s High Museum marks 100 years since it began in a donated home. Cultural Exchange: ASEAN Culture Day in Maryland brought around 400 delegates together through regional textiles, fashion and performances, promoting friendship and peace.

Theatre: Singer Elha Nympha has withdrawn from “Inday: The Musical” a day before its scheduled opening, alleging material contract breaches; producers say the show will go on. Fashion: Lakmé Fashion Week opened with a focus on Indian craftsmanship and emerging designers, while the Victoria’s Secret show returns Sunday with performances by Katseye, Megan Thee Stallion, Tate McRae and Megan Moroney. Diwali & Music: Raghav will headline Middlesbrough’s free Diwali celebration on Oct. 31, bringing live music, dance and fireworks to the city centre. Shah Rukh Khan has also announced UNIFYD, a major Indian music festival set for Abu Dhabi in March 2027. Art & Heritage: Brussels is hosting AfriConnections, a free exhibition of work by 15 African artists, through Oct. 30. In Los Angeles, Joshua Reynolds’ landmark portrait of Polynesian visitor Mai is on view in the U.S. for the first time. Preservation: Lebanon has completed restoration work at historic Mussaylha Fort, including reviving its mill and supporting traditional farming.

Coffee Culture: Busan’s Jeonpo Coffee Festival and Busan Cafe Show bring tastings, live entertainment and new café trends to the city through Sunday. Pride and Belonging: Jackson’s free “It’s Pride, Y’all!” festival returns Saturday, giving LGBTQIA+ residents and allies a space to celebrate and connect. Music Across Borders: Indian and Bangladeshi performers paid tribute to Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey, highlighting music’s role in deepening cultural ties. Inclusive Arts: A free University of Miami program pairs young adults with disabilities and students to make music together. Living Heritage: In southwest China, a Dong community cooperative is bringing traditional indigo dyeing into everyday products and supporting local livelihoods. Music’s Next Chapter: YouTube Music is adding labels to AI-generated tracks, while Deezer will let listeners filter them out. Culture and Media: The UK culture secretary is considering intervention in the proposed Sky-ITV deal, putting media ownership in the spotlight.

Media & Culture: The UK culture secretary is considering intervention in Sky’s £1.6bn purchase of ITV’s broadcast and streaming business, citing concerns about news diversity and the range of programmes available to viewers. Art Under Attack: A Russian drone strike damaged part of Cosmogony, a 2,000-square-metre Ukrainian work described as the world’s largest painting. Museum staff evacuated artworks as fire swept through the complex housing it. Hip-Hop History: Ice T and DJ Afrika Islam have partnered with fine-art logistics firm Cadogan Tate to take DAY ONE DNA, an exhibition of more than 400 objects exploring hip-hop, identity and cultural memory, on a national tour. Religious Hate: Police-recorded religious hate crimes in England and Wales rose 13% in 2025/26, with offences targeting Muslims and Jewish people both increasing, according to official figures. Culture in the South: The Dominican Republic’s November festival in Azua will bring 51 events to six provinces, showcasing regional traditions and artists beyond the capital.

AI and Music: YouTube Music is rolling out labels for tracks created primarily with generative AI, responding to listeners’ calls for transparency as synthetic songs spread across streaming services. Art and Restitution: Kandinsky’s The Colorful Life sold for $51 million in London after being returned to the Jewish family from whom it was looted during the Nazi era. Culture in Wartime: A Russian strike damaged part of Cosmogony, a 2,000-square-metre work at a museum in Lutsk, Ukraine; restorers and the artist will assess whether it can be repaired. Music Tourism: President Trump signed a bipartisan U.S. law requiring a plan to boost music tourism and report on its progress. Māori History: New research using precise radiocarbon dating suggests changes in early Māori economies began earlier than previously thought. Black History on Film: Tariq Nasheed’s Hidden Colors 6: The Culture of Resistance, funded through Kickstarter, is set for a November theatrical release, exploring Black American resistance and cultural history.

Music: Lucian Piane, a former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” producer and songwriter behind “Sissy That Walk,” has died at 46 after being struck by a vehicle in California. Language & Heritage: Nepathya frontman Amrit Gurung urged fans to preserve Nepali language and music at a sold-out concert in Kirtipur, where the band first performed 35 years ago. Indigenous Culture: A 15-year-old Tlingit artist is learning traditional carving while helping keep community stories and designs alive. Reconciliation: The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund marks 10 years of Secret Path with Indigenous artists reimagining its songs and events focused on education and action. Arts Access: A Collingwood charity is offering free Saturday art workshops for children, aiming to make arts education accessible regardless of family income.

Arts Support: East Dunbartonshire artists can apply for £500 or £1,000 development grants, while Moldova’s culture minister heard calls from Taraclia institutions for better pay, repairs and funding. Music: Herb Alpert, 90, is reuniting with the Tijuana Brass for a Glasgow concert next May, his first UK tour in more than 50 years. Cork composer Cormac McCarthy has also been named the Opera House’s traditional Irish crossover musician-in-residence, with a €20,000 bursary. Indigenous Art: A month-long exhibition in Malaybalay showcases Bukidnon artists’ soil paintings, using natural pigments to depict Indigenous life and ancestral lands. Art World: Peter Nagy, founder of Delhi’s Nature Morte gallery and a champion of contemporary Indian art, has died at 67. Music & AI: An independent licensing company has sued Nvidia, alleging copyright infringement in the use of music to train AI models.