A lobbying document to be used in the run-up to the forthcoming general election has been launched by the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) following an 18-month consultation into what the arts sector wants from the next government. Aiming to elicit commitments on arts policy and spending from the major political parties and to change the way that politicians think about the arts, the Manifesto for the Arts sets out goals for cultural policy which all political parties could incorporate into their own manifestos.
Two broad themes underpin the arguments ? the arts as a sustainable career and as a pleasure for life ? and the document calls politicians to recognise that ?support for the arts cannot be confined to a single government department?. Joan Bakewell, Chair of the NCA said, ?The arts don?t cost a great deal, but their worth is beyond measure. Politicians should wake up to the fact that the arts can transform lives and enrich communities. They should pledge their support now.?
See the Manifesto at http://www.artscampaign.org.uk/campaigns/manifesto.pdf