Member News
The Labour party's review into the creative industries must take account of the role of small-scale creative businesses, a leading arts body has said.
The Visual Arts and Galleries Association, an independent professional body representing organisations and individuals working in contemporary visual arts, welcomed the review announced earlier this week.
A Vaga spokesperson told ePolitix.com: "In the current climate it is increasingly urgent, economically and culturally that this vibrant, innovative and often maverick sector is enabled to thrive.
"We urge the review to explore fully the progression, pathways and cross fertilisation of knowledge and ideas between the cultural and creative industries and take a lead in ensuring that we have a broadly-based curriculum that will prepare young people to develop critical and creative thinking and practical skills."
With government support to the arts being cut, Vaga said Labour must recognise the importance and needs of small scale creative business and "the individual artist, producer and maker who provide not only jobs but so much of the R&D and innovation from which corporate and international success grows".
75 per cent of visual arts businesses employ fewer than five people.
Launching the review this week, shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis said Labour will put "ambition and social mobility at heart of party's renewal".
"Our return to government will depend on whether we can persuade people we have positive ideas and a compelling vision for the future of our country," he said.
"We must be ambitious for our creative industries, not managing decline but ensuring Britain can play to our strengths in this new global digital age.
"Making an explicit commitment to nurture the creative talent of young people from all backgrounds and communities, not just the privileged few."
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.