Message to the minister

Future for Jobs potentially offers a big prize for the arts, but the path to winning it may be steep and stony, according to key figures from the sector. A generally positive response has been followed by a number of crucial questions which must be answered if the scheme is to work.
Scale is an issue. The current guidelines favour large bids, from “upper tier local authorities or sub-regional partnerships”, aiming to “create at least 30 jobs over a six-month period”. AP questioned two flagship organisations. Tony Hall, CEO of the Royal Opera House, which already hosts the National Skills Academy at its Thurrock site, said that he is “working on how we might introduce the programme”, but the initial reaction from the Royal Shakespeare Company was that “it doesn’t attract us as an opportunity that’s relevant... because of the larger scale nature of the offer”. Establishing new networks and partnerships could be time-consuming and costly. Tony Heaton, Chief Executive of disability arts organisation Shape, said that “there is some concern that the smaller providers will be excluded... it’s exactly these organisations which understand the needs of the individuals in their communities”. However, Lorna Brown, Chair of nalgao, said that the scheme “recognises the value of small and micro businesses, which reflects better the nature of the creative sector”. Mark Skipper, Chief Executive of Northern Ballet Theatre, was not alone in worrying about the potential financial burden. He said, “Ultimately, it would be a benefit to the organisation having highly enthusiastic young people as part of the workforce, but the costs incurred would need to be limited.”

Reflecting the core values of much of the arts sector, Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director and CEO of Sadler’s Wells, was keen to make sure “that access to these placements is open to all young people whatever their backgrounds. We don’t want a situation in which the opportunities only go to those who already have access to the arts job market.” This was also an issue for Caroline Miller, Director of Dance UK. “In the past, the voluntary nature of a lot of these positions has been a barrier to developing a diverse workforce,” she said, a sentiment shared by Marcus Davey, CEO and Artistic Director of the Roundhouse.
The suitability of unemployed young people to work in the arts has also been questioned. Davey’s response is that the scheme could give those outside the formal learning route “the means to compete with their peers for progression into the creative industry”. Heaton added that “the reasons for people being out of work are complex and varied – low aspirations, lack of confidence, skills gaps, lack of awareness, discrimination” – which means that appointees would need support, care and attention. The difficulty of finding the time and resources to mentor and support trainees could be a barrier for many organisations.

The arts sector’s message to Andy Burnham

1 Make the scheme easily workable for small and micro businesses
2 Ensure that cash-strapped arts organisations can afford it
3 Access must be open to all young people
4 Give guidelines on partnerships and collaborations
5 The aims of the scheme must match those of the sector

Have your say: go to our Forum at http://www.artsprofessional.co.uk
We will pass all comments on to the Minister.