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Achieving great art for everyone sets out the Arts Council’s understanding of the current arts landscape and pinpoints the areas that the Council believes need development. This is the first time the Arts Council has brought together all art forms and development areas into one set of long term priorities.

The consultation document outlines a vision for the future of the arts where England is a global creative hub, a platform for world-leading artistic excellence and innovation, and a great place for artists to live and work.

The Arts Council is inviting artists, arts organisations, partners and anyone interested in the arts to take part, including those from the commercial, amateur and voluntary sectors. The consultation will run until 14 April 2010 with the framework being published in late 2010. To find out more about how to take part and to download a copy of the consultation document visit www.artscouncil.org.uk/consultation.

The consultation outlines five long term goals that will drive the Arts Council’s development work, inform its funding priorities and strengthen relationships with artists, organisations and audiences. The goals are:

1. Talent and artistic excellence are thriving and celebrated
2. The arts leadership and workforce are diverse and highly skilled
3. More people value and enjoy the arts
4. Every child and young person has the opportunity to experience the richness of the arts
5. The arts sector is sustainable, resilient and innovative

The consultation also includes proposals on new, more flexible, funding programmes to help deliver these goals.

Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said; “The arts have flourished in the last 15 years and there is now a genuine acceptance that they are a part of the fabric of the nation. We want to build on that strength to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to access the very best of the arts and that in ten years’ time the arts will continue to thrive.

“The speed and scale of change today bring exceptional challenges and opportunities for artists and arts organisations and for the Arts Council in enabling the arts to flourish.

“We know that collaboration is going to be critical to our sector in adapting to the changes ahead. These proposals are a work in progress; they aim to be a framework for excellence and ambition. The contributions of artists, arts organisations and partners are not just welcome, they are essential.”