The best magic I have is what you have done. You've got to help me keep telling the story of your success, and the possibility of what more you could do - to paint a picture that is totally compelling. James Purnell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Most people working in the arts are aware that in March this year the Arts Council's Grants for the Arts budget was cut from £83m to £54m, a reduction of 35%. The GFA budget is currently entirely made up of lottery funds, and the cuts came as the Government announced that some lottery funds previously allocated to the arts and other 'good causes' would be diverted to fund the 2012 London Olympics.
This cut is already having a very serious effect upon the independent arts sector in particular, and a group of producers and organisations have been working to add the voices of this sector to the existing campaigns for arts funding.
In the autumn the Government will announce the outcome of its spending review and the Arts Council will know its budget for the years 2008-2011. A good settlement is of course crucial for all the organisations who receive regular funding, but the better the settlement, the more likely it is that the GFA budget for independent projects can also be protected.
This website is to help organisations, individuals, artists, companies, the education and business sectors and audiences to deliver the message to Government about the importance of the arts. It suggests ways of doing this and links up with other organisations including the Arts Council itself.
Please contact your local MP, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, your colleagues and your audiences and speak out about the success and popularity of the arts in this country, and in particular the innovative and risk-taking artists whose work crosses artistic and cultural boundaries, and is the lifeblood of the UK's artistic excellence.
Decisions will be taken over the next couple of months, so timing is of the utmost importance. Please have a look at this website, and do what you can as soon as you can. |
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