Prime Minister praises sector for its contribution to the nation and makes the case for the arts ahead of this years Comprehensive Spending Review.
In a major speech designed to reaffirm government policy towards the arts, Prime Minister Tony Blair has attempted to lay to rest the concerns of the arts sector about future funding. Praising the achievements in the arts over the past ten years, he declared that the Government was determined not to return to boom and bust arts funding. The speech, given to an invited audience of industry leaders last Tuesday, celebrated the impact of the arts on the UKs economy, international standing, and education and paid tribute to artists for their contribution to making Britain "a better nation."
The Prime Minister used the speech to offer a robust defence of the mixed economy for the arts, combining public funding with private enterprise, subsidy and the box office. He argued that the arms-length principle of funding via Arts Council England (ACE) had supported risk-taking and that "public subsidy produces a return." He went on to acknowledge the role of the arts in almost incidentally" achieving Government goals in regeneration and social cohesion, "areas that government generally finds difficult". However, the main thrust of his speech was to offer reassurance that what he referred to as the golden era" for the arts was not over: "I understand the concerns over the Comprehensive Spending Review [CSR] and the claim on resources made by the Olympics. In so far as I can, in advance of decisions yet to be made, let me lay them to rest... We have avoided boom and bust in the economy. We dont intend to resume it in arts and culture.
His comments were welcomed by many of the arts figures present. Nicholas Hytner, Director of the National Theatre, said, "I welcome wholeheartedly his acknowledgement of the economic and social impact of arts subsidy... It was clear to everyone present that he was unequivocal in his indication that the government will not return to stop-go funding, so we can only assume that he was telling us that there should be no cuts in arts funding. It was a pleasure to hear such a ringing endorsement of what we do, and it is a pleasure as well as a duty to agree that the last ten years have been a success for his governments arts funding policies."
Earlier this year, ACE was asked by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to prepare three responses to possible settlements in the CSR; a funding cut of 5% a year, standstill funding, and a funding rise in line with inflation. Andrew Whyte, ACEs Executive Director, Advocacy and Communications, said, "... there is still some way to go before decisions are made on spending and we will continue to make the case to the government for continued investment in the arts. We will not celebrate until we see the outcome of the spending review."