No doubt many organisations in the bright new era of increased funding will feel they have reached the end of a long uphill struggle towards financial stability.
In fact, it?s only the beginning, and the illusion of being at the top of the mountain, when you?re really in the foothills, can be a dangerous one. The tasks ahead are now more complex than simply spending the money (though this in itself will prove a real challenge for some, whose organisations may more than double in size as a consequence of the funding uplift). Rather, the need must surely be to invest in the building of firm foundations, so that when a future funding round disappoints (as it inevitably will), the organisation has long, strong roots which will see it through a drought. Entrepreneurial qualities will help, such as those identified by Alison Branagan (p5). She points out that some of the world?s most celebrated artists were only too aware of the need to earn a crust while sharing their creativity with the world. It?s truly great that the arts in England will benefit from a ?step change? in funding. But such an uplift comes with the added responsibility for both the funders and the funded to ensure it is invested wisely, is accounted for and, perhaps most obviously, delivers the promised increase in arts activity.