As the dust stirred up by Arts Council England’s latest National Portfolio funding announcement settles, ITC’s Charlotte Jones looks at the growing wealth gap between large and small arts organisations.
Clearly, ACE faced a formidable challenge to protect and consolidate its portfolio in the context of a series of real terms cuts while not knowing what the impact of the next comprehensive spending review will be (it is unlikely to contain any arts directed windfalls).
It also had to take into account the huge hit sustained by local authority partners. There was never going to be enough money available to fully realise the potential of the arts world and to create the opportunities that would have ensured that it thrives, renews itself and develops as it should. In response to that challenge, though, the solution ACE has arrived at is deeply conservative and creates pockets of small but significant damage to the confidence and health of the sector... Keep reading on The Stage
Clearly, ACE faced a formidable challenge to protect and consolidate its portfolio in the context of a series of real terms cuts while not knowing what the impact of the next comprehensive spending review will be (it is unlikely to contain any arts directed windfalls).
It also had to take into account the huge hit sustained by local authority partners. There was never going to be enough money available to fully realise the potential of the arts world and to create the opportunities that would have ensured that it thrives, renews itself and develops as it should. In response to that challenge, though, the solution ACE has arrived at is deeply conservative and creates pockets of small but significant damage to the confidence and health of the sector... Keep reading on The Stage