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By Earl of Clancarty - 10th May 2011
The Earl of Clancarty outlines his concern that the arts are facing "a period of considerable neglect" under the coalition government.
With cuts to both central arts funding and local authority funding – neither of which have yet properly to bite – it seems inevitable that reasonable arts provision within one's own local area risks becoming a classic case of 'postcode lottery', with some districts losing provision altogether.
The bottom line is the availability of sufficient financial resources for local authorities to provide services. And it is already clear that some UK councils have much less of a commitment to the arts than others, with authorities such as Barnet, Somerset, Darlington and North Yorkshire announcing huge arts cuts of up to 100 per cent.
It is interesting that it is within this current climate that the National Assembly of Wales communities and culture committee, in its February 2011 report, 'The accessibility of arts and cultural activities in Wales', has recommended that a statutory duty for local authorities to provide for the arts should be introduced. Although the Welsh government has, for now, turned this particular recommendation down – but not out of hand (it might return to it after further consultation) – it did accept many other recommendations contained within the same report which in effect provides an 'arts strategy’ for Wales, a national framework for preserving and fostering arts and culture, including the clear desire that the arts should be enjoyed by all communities.
One does not at all feel such a degree of commitment from the current Westminster government. In fact, one senses quite the opposite: that, at the local level, the arts are in for a period of considerable neglect. I believe therefore that a UK-wide statutory duty for local authorities to provide proper arts funding is now more urgently required than ever.
Of course, there will be discussion over what constitutes an acceptable degree of arts provision; and one of the reasons statutory obligation has in the past been rejected is the worry that it would lead to a bare minimum. But such a fear masks what such a directive would accomplish, not least a signal to all local authorities that the arts are – should be – fundamentally intrinsic to local communities.
There is no harm either that the tail could wag the dog, in the sense that local authorities must, in the longer term, be given sufficient resources to provide necessary services. In my view – and in the opinions of many – the arts is a very necessary service.
My oral question in the Lords on 10th May is designed to raise these issues, and asks the government to consider introducing a statutory obligation to the arts.
The Earl of Clancarty is an artist and writer. He entered the House of Lords in 1995.
Article Comments
Having been in Gateshead recently, where the new Northern Design Centre is due to join the Baltic /Sage complex on what was only 20 years ago unreclaimed wasteland, the contribution of the arts to the prosperity of local communities is undisputable.
For every 1 pound Newcastle and Gateshead's principal cultural venues receive in subsidy, they generate at least 4 pounds, supporting 2,000 jobs. A statutory duty would be a significant step towards such rich and economically productive arts provision being available nationwide instead of according to specific political agendas.
Hilary Gresty, VAGA
11th May 2011 at 8:15 am
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