An evaluation report of the first year of Arts Council England?s (ACE) Grants for the Arts funding scheme has made a number of recommendations for improving the programme?s efficiency and consistency, and ensuring that artistic quality is maintained.
Key proposals include clarifying the position of Grants for the Arts in relation to organisations already in receipt of ACE funding, encouraging organisations to use Grants for the Arts to effect organisational development, simplifying ACE?s internal procedures, and improving training for internal assessors. Internal assessors will also be encouraged to see examples of organisations? work before making final decisions. The report, conducted by Annabel Jackson Associates, notes that the new programme is simpler and more user friendly than previous funding systems. It also charts successes in attracting new applicants to arts funding. However, it observes that this clarity and openness has been ?won, in part, by complicating the job for ACE staff?. Furthermore, the size and structure of the scheme has limited ACE?s ability to act strategically. The report?s findings will now be incorporated into a revamped funding process, which will be launched this autumn.