Speculation is rife about the reasons why Culture Minister Jeremy Hunt is terminating the contract of Dame Liz Forgan as Chair of Arts Council England (ACE) after just four years, a single term in office. Her immediate predecessors, Sir Gerry Robinson and Sir Christopher Frayling, were both invited to extend their terms. Describing Forgan as “an outstanding Arts Council chair, who has made a huge contribution to the arts in this country,” Hunt went on to say: “The next chair of the Arts Council will have to steer the organisation and the sector through another challenging period, in particular in increasing the amount of private giving to the arts, and encouraging the sector to make the most of technological changes.” Forgan has been an outspoken critic of the Government, fighting demands to cut costs by 50% and implying at the 2011 State of the Arts conference that the Government views ACE staff as “ATM machines for doling out dosh”. Her forthright views are widely thought to be behind the decision not to re-appoint her. Alan Davey, who has been Chief Executive of ACE throughout the period of her Chairmanship, said: “I have valued her passion, insight and strong leadership as we worked together through challenging times to deliver a sustainable future for the arts… she will leave behind a transformed Arts Council – one whose greater transparency and efficiency has been recognised…”. Forgan will remain in the role until her tenure ends in January 2013.
