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Feedback on the work of the Arts Council is being gathered to contribute to a wide-ranging review of its role and effectiveness.

Photo of government buildings
Photo: 

Carlos Delgado via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)

The DCMS is inviting feedback on the work of Arts Council England (ACE) as part of a ‘Tailored Review’.

The Review, announced in the Culture White Paper, will assess its performance as a non-departmental public body, including the functions it performs and its engagement and influence with stakeholders. It will also examine how it sets its priorities and makes investment decisions to “align with the government's priorities of ensuring the opportunities of arts and culture are available to everyone regardless of background and benefit communities across the country”.

Specific themes to be covered include how ACE:

  • acts as development agency and advocate for the arts and culture;
  • influences public attitudes and behaviours;
  • innovates and plans for the future;
  • manages its estate and works with other organisations to reduce costs; and
  • uses digital services, including in its internal cost management.

In relation to governance, the Review will consider DCMS “oversight arrangements” for ACE, the effectiveness of its regional and central Boards, and whether its governance controls follow good practice.

The purpose of Tailored Reviews is “to challenge and seek assurance of the continuing need, efficiency and good governance of public bodies”. Under the Government’s Public Body Reform Programme, all public bodies are required to undergo a Tailored Review once during the lifetime of a Parliament.

Feedback on the Arts Council is being collected through an online survey which is open until 20 September.

Author(s): 
Liz Hill