WIREDGOV

Yesterday (Wednesday 5 November 2014) the Commons Select Culture Media and Sport Committee released the report of its findings and recommendations based on its inquiry into the work of the Arts Council.

We welcome the findings of the report, and the opportunity to reaffirm our priorities for the near future:

• we understand that in challenging economic times, we must continue to demonstrate the value and impact of arts and culture investment across England
• we will continue to rebalance our investment intelligently – to build capacity outside of London, whilst not damaging the infrastructure in the capital
• we are focussed on maintaining strong and meaningful local partnerships, including ensuring the continued commitment of arts and culture investment from local authorities

The following is a response from Sir Peter Bazalgette, Chair, Arts Council England: 

“The Arts Council thanks the Committee for this timely report. The report suggests that greater urgency is required around the rebalancing debate and we are pleased that it has acknowledged that we are tackling this, and that there is ‘much to praise in the hard work of the Arts Council.’

“We also welcome the recommendation that the Arts Council’s Grant in aid should not be reduced.  Further, the report says that as we have played a part in helping to reduce the deficit, we should be considered a beneficiary in a time of recovery. We welcome this and agree that any further provision in future spending rounds should be prioritised to bolster the national arts ecology outside the M25.

“We share the committee’s desire for a speedy response to the historic challenges to rebalancing. It is difficult to act urgently when our income is shrinking and it is not our job to damage what is good out there – including the thriving cultural life of our capital city.  Additional resource would certainly allow for greater flexibility in supporting our ambition to achieve this.

“As the report also made clear, one of the crucial factors for the arts funding landscape is the commitment of Local Authorities to support culture during this period of austerity.

“To that end, we fully endorse the importance placed on local partnership working and will continue to use our on the ground expertise and knowledge to build connections and broker partnerships around the country that deliver strong cultural engagement.

“As we head into another election year we welcome arts and culture moving up the political agenda; helping to support cultural education and opportunity, health and well-being, the creative industries and urban regeneration across the entire country.”