Government Cuts to the Arts Announced

This article was originally published in MouthLondon online.

We have heard this morning about the extent of government cuts to the Arts.

There are 50,000 Arts organizations in Britain today. Just 1,200-1,300 of these theatres, galleries and arts groups applied for funding under the new regime, but today’s announcements have declared that just 695 of these have been successful. This is a significant decrease from the 849 groups that received funding under the old regime and, out of those who have been granted funding, almost half will see a significant reduction in the amount of money they will receive.

The organisations affected are largely small and medium sized companies. One such group, that has been denied funding by the new government, is New Deal of Mind. The small company, set up by Martin Bright two years ago, lobbies for governmental policy that will help find unemployed people creative positions within the arts and culture sector, they also provide support and advice for those looking to break into the sector. New Deal of Mind initially received enthusiastic support from prominent members of parliament. But now their future does not look so certain.

The Arts Council’s budget has been cut by £100million. But where will this money be made up? It seems that the government is hoping that these small companies will turn to the private sector, encouraging a new age of cultural philanthropy. However, in grim economic times, few are readily doling out the cash. 

In many cases these small groups do not have the time or the manpower to undertake the difficult task of seeking funding privately. The likely result will be increased pressure on regional councils to make up the funding and there will inevitably be job losses in the sector.