The avant-garde have long since left the Mall – will it ever return?

Cultural institutions across the country have been "wiped off the map" by Arts Council England's funding cuts, announced yesterday. Regular funding to 206 arts organisations, from fringe theatres to poetry societies and renowned organisations in dance and art, has been axed.

Institute of Contemporary Arts executive director Ekow Eshun has left his role three months early after accusations of "poor management".

This historic city is always turning over a new leaf, especially in the autumn. Kate Simon has ideas for new and returning visitors

The ICA’s director is stepping down amid reports of resignations and staff revolt. But is this crisis just a symptom of the sickness of the avant-garde?

Director resigns to write book but was not forced out, says gallery

Forgotten master of a lost universe. His work is in major collections worldwide and he was the equal of more famous contemporaries, but Tunnard has been overlooked

Staff at prestigious London arts centre take confidence vote in director

It's slightly odd, when you think about it, that we expect to be ignored in the theatre. We're the reason the damn thing is happening, after all, and yet in 99 cases out of 100, everyone involved pretends we're invisible. The curtain rises and the people on stage start talking to each other, or occasionally themselves, as if we're not there. And worse... if you make it too obvious that you are there, by taking an urgent phone call, say, they get absolutely bloody furious. "Who's paying the bills, pal?" you might be inclined to ask – but of course you never do, because our invisibility and our muteness is part of the contract.

Performers with chalky complexions and staring eyes bring a veritable dose of normality to stages across the capital this week, as the London Mime Festival treats theatregoers to eclectic experiences that include singing badger skulls, a mountain goat and an ode to bearded ladies.

This is the ICA at its best – a scattergun show that's funny, clever and impressive in its incoherence. See it if you can; if nothing else, it will make you think

Film-maker Nashashibi knows all the tricks of her dishonest trade ... and she uses them to unnerving effect

Distributors would not take on a film with a black cast – so director promoted it himself

Even the input of Turner Prize winner Mark Leckey cannot redeem this pretentious collection of works aimed at theorists