Culture Minister Margaret Hodge has announced that the DCMS is to commission the first national study of voluntary arts activity across England. The six-month study, which will take place in collaboration with Arts Council England, follows on from the findings of the DCMS Taking Part survey, which revealed that around 70% of people in England attend and participate in the arts.
The Minister stated that much of this activity isnt through publicly funded organisations, and said, It is important to take into account the thousands of people who participate in the voluntary and amateur arts sector and consider whether the different kinds of support available are providing the right platform for them to thrive. The new study will also assess barriers to participation, motivating factors, and the impact of the voluntary arts on communities. Robin Simpson, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Arts Network said the project represents a significant development in the recognition of the scale, value and importance of the voluntary arts sector.
Published: 24-09-2007