Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has plunged into a debate about the value and purpose of the arts in modern society. Declaring that culture is ?at the heart of what it means to be a fully developed human being?, she acknowledges Government?s responsibility to fight for the arts and provide ?intelligent public subsidy if culture is to take its place at the heart of national life.? Her personal essay coincides with a report from The Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr), calling for improved accountability and more scientific measurement of the social impact of the arts. Launching the report, Ian Kearns, ippr Associate Director, said, ?The arts certainly deliver social benefit but the old art for art?s sake argument is not going to wash? the best way for the arts to compete for funding is to show evidence of their social benefit.? The DCMS is inviting responses to Tessa Jowell's essay, which is published at http://www.culture.gov.uk/arts.
Published: 17-05-2004
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