Last word

Freedom vs philanthropy?
Developing US-style philanthropy as an alternative source of revenue (alternative, that is to government-led funding and subsidy) has been touted, for months, as the credible answer to the future of arts funding in Britain. The shadow minister for Culture, Sport and Media, Jeremy Hunt, kicked off the debate in the UK at the State of the Arts conference in January. He suggested, in the process, that the only problem in building a system of corporate subsidy (which is what plenty of arts philanthropy in the US arguably translates to) might be that British arts organisations are not used to “a culture of asking”. What Hunt, and subsequently Ed Vaizey, does not appear to have outwardly acknowledged is that it would take many years, if not generations, to mirror American arts policy. A question many artists from the States would ask, envious of the comparative support and recognition that the arts have in Britain, is why would we want to?
J Dennis Rich outlines the ways in which philanthropy and American arts policy work (p10). As he views it, “varied funding offers the arts greater freedom than an exclusive reliance on public funds”. I suspect that it would, in fact, do the exact opposite. If your company or institution is being charitably funded by a major corporation, it’s disingenuous to suggest that it would not affect, at all, the work you produce or show. The other consideration to make is that while institutions like English National Opera, Tate and the National Theatre would find it easier to attract well-meaning philanthropists, much tinier companies and organisations (more likely producing the most cutting edge work) could find it near impossible. As unfashionable as it is to say so, and for all its many flaws, Arts Council England has played a vital role in ensuring British arts and culture are not just reduced to mainstream, commercial interests. Arts policy should be improving the pretty admirable funding system we already have, not sidelining it for the sake of the new.

Hitting the ground running
Hello! This is my first issue proper at ArtsProfessional and I just want to say a quick thank you to the team for my very warm welcome. In true editor geek speak, it is genuinely an exciting time to join; where the mag has triumphed in serving you, our readers and contributors, with a unique take on news, trends and ideas from the sector, I’ll be hoping to integrate this even further with the website (more on that soon!). I’m particularly keen to hear your thoughts, feedback, loves and hates – send them in. I’ll be reading with the same enthusiasm I hope you have for this issue.