A mass organised campaign aimed at the Treasury would not be helpful to the arts sector, despite fears that DCMS funding could soon be cut by 1.5%, according to Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham. In a meeting with arts sector representatives, organised by the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA), Burnham was unable to confirm the likely level of the cut at this stage, but emphasised that the DCMS needed to be seen to play its part in making the £5bn “efficiency savings” across the public sector requested by the Treasury in year three of the Spending Review. Representatives from the main arts unions and umbrella bodies pressed the Culture Secretary for clarity on the pressures he is facing, to enable the sector to make the case for the arts. Burnham said that the DCMS will argue for sustained investment in the arts and will point out that any budget cut would have a disproportionate impact on the relatively small amounts allocated to the sector. Delegates at the meeting said that not only would it be difficult to make workforce cuts in the performing arts (for example, in a symphony orchestra), but that making environmental efficiency savings connected with existing or new theatre buildings would require investment.
Burnham suggested that the sector could provide the DCMS with a number of things to help make the case for funding, including well-being research, information on orchestras’ work to reach to newer and younger audiences, skills development, the apprenticeship agenda, unlocking capital funding projects, and economic data or research. He also said that the Department would be developing its next Spending Review bid in five areas: ‘Find Your Talent’, a possible extension of the Free Theatre initiative, skills, music and ‘Digital Britain’. He has requested a further meeting with the delegation in June.
Published: 09-03-2009