Recognition for voluntary arts

“A major symbolic development in the recognition of the scale, value and importance of the voluntary arts sector” has been achieved through a conference, ‘Our Creative Talent’ and research report of the same name jointly commissioned by the DCMS and Arts Council England (ACE), according to Robin Simpson, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Arts Network (VAN). The research questioned more than 2,000 groups across the UK, showing that around 20% of arts participation occurs in the voluntary sector. There are 49,140 arts groups across the country, with a total of 5.9 million members. An additional 3.5 million people assist in technical and other capacities, while 564,000 people carry out management roles. The relationship between the professional and the voluntary arts sector has been quantified, showing that groups spend £125m annually employing professional artists, while participation in voluntary groups is clearly an important path to professional practice for many. The research claims that voluntary arts generated a total income of £543m in 2006/07, but that it is not generally reliant on funding, while the involvement of local authority arts officers, although valued by the sector, is “often reactive and ad hoc”. Problems for voluntary arts groups include the availability of good quality yet affordable venues, the complexity of grant application processes, developing audiences, attracting new members and complying with legislation.

Culture minister Margaret Hodge called the research “a landmark” and said that the voluntary sector was “far from being a poor relation to the professional arts… [it] sustains cultural traditions, encourages innovation, helps develop new audiences, promotes vibrant and inclusive communities and supports the professional sector”. ACE Chief Executive Alan Davey said that his organisation was “committed to driving up levels of attendance and participation in quality arts activities,” and added that “we will not succeed in this without tapping into the creative talent of the voluntary and amateur sector” and that he looked forward to “working closely with the sector”. To coincide with the conference, VAN England has also published its own report, ‘Edutainment: the benefits of arts and crafts in adult and community learning’, which details a range of case studies showing how arts participation contributes to learning.