One of the issues implicit in the current centralisation/regionalisation debate in the English arts funding system is drawn into sharp relief by the welcome announcement that the funding bodies in all four countries of the UK have relaxed the rules on touring across their borders.
It is now seven years since the dismembering and reincarnation of the Arts Council of Great Britain began, and the moment has none-too-soon arrived to face up to the fact that shoe-horning arts activity into politically-defined boundaries is one of the most effective ways of restricting its accessibility. At a time when funding applications can be rejected at the drop of a hat if they fail to convince officers that they are accessible to the widest possible constituency, it is about time that the national funding bodies put their own houses in order.
Significantly, though, it is only the English and Scottish Arts Councils (which have both benefited recently from the fruits of intensive efforts to lever government funds) which are stumping up the cash for costly tours of large-scale venues. The Arts Councils of Wales and Northern Ireland have described themselves as ?wholly committed to the principles of cross border touring, but as yet [are] unable to allocate any additional funding for tours to large scale venues??. And therein lies the problem. However keen a fragmented regional funding system is to work together collaboratively for the greater good of all, there will always be little practical problems - like the availability (or not) of cash - that will put a spanner in the works and upset the grand plan.