New building projects must meet “stringent tests on affordability and future sustainability and usage”, and Arts Council England (ACE) must “bear in mind the lessons of The Public and other venues that have not matched up to expectations”, according to the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA), in its response to ACE’s consultation document ‘Achieving great art for everyone’. Both the NCA and the National Association of Local Government Arts Officers (nalgao) are broadly positive about ACE’s plans, with nalgao saying that ACE’s vision is “one we can support – as far as it goes”. But, the NCA “believes that ACE could use its money more effectively”, to broaden access and engagement with the arts beyond traditional audiences and participants. It also highlights the importance of demonstrating the relevance of the arts to all sections of the community, and urges ACE to focus on education, training, lifelong learning and sector pay. Nalgao is disappointed that ACE only mentions funding relationships with arts organisations and individuals, “omitting local government and other public bodies”. It does however welcome thinking on flexible funding in the light of the “damaging” replacement of Partnership Framework funding for local authorities by Grants for the Arts. Both organisations raise concerns about whether ACE’s abilities will be compromised following its restructure and reduced staff count.