Capital culture

A draft cultural strategy for London, detailing key objectives for arts in the capital, has been published for public consultation by the Mayor of London’s office. ‘Cultural Metropolis: 2012 and Beyond’ aims to outline how Mayor Boris Johnson will work for the Greater London Authority (GLA) to promote the city’s reputation as a world-class centre of culture; widen access to the arts from London’s outer boroughs; increase cultural skills and careers through arts education projects in the city; and plan for culture-led local regeneration and development schemes.

The London Cultural Strategy Group, established in November 2008 and chaired by Iwona Blazwick OBE (Director of the Whitechapel Gallery, London), has been responsible for steering and developing the draft strategy. Representatives from the Mayor’s office have included Munira Mirza, Mayoral Advisor on Culture and Arts and interim Chair of London’s Arts Council.
The 177-page Cultural Metropolis document is anchored by the 2012 Olympics; focus is on the importance of hosting the Games in London. In tandem with the public consultation on London’s culture strategy (which closes in the autumn of 2010), the Mayor has launched ‘The Culture Diary’ for 2012. The hope is to provide a definitive guide to cultural events happening in London during the Olympic year. A useful exercise in mapping, the Diary’s success is dependent on the readiness of organisations planning events to submit their information to the Mayor’s office by January 2011.
Amid concerns about budget cuts, the Mayor emphasised that “this is not a time to be lowering ambitions. It is creativity, first and foremost, not funding that is central to London’s cultural life.” He also underlined his continuing commitment to advocacy on behalf of the cultural sector, and promised to address “the bureaucratic regulations and confusing range of initiatives which burden the sector”. The GLA is not the major direct funder of arts in London – the London Development Agency, Arts Council England and local boroughs provide the bulk of cash – but holds influence on policymaking. The Mayor’s new strategy for 2012 and beyond echoes the same priorities in place for 2009 to 2012. The main initiatives remain unchanged and include continued support for The Story of London (a ‘pan-London season of events’); Making Music Matter (funding partnerships between local authorities and orchestras for the benefit of young people); and The Fourth Plinth Commission (established by the former Mayor, Ken Livingstone).
Discussion has also taken place about the possibility of producing a ‘Culture Pass’, using technology based on the Underground Oyster travel swipecard, to improve access to cultural activities and buildings. Munira Mirza, however, confirmed that no firm plans were in place, admitting that it was “an idea that’s been going around for quite a long time ... but never got off the ground”, due to the technology being prohibitively expensive. Asked by AP what the primary use of a Culture Pass would be, Mirza said, “We haven’t yet decided… We might just use it to give discounts to children who are looked after in care because we have pledged to give them access to certain leisure services – like gyms and museums.”