Many argue that the government are not doing enough to help support and inspire young people into arts. With the recent government cuts in the arts industry, Liz Forgan, Arts Council England chair argues “A modest investment in the arts pays back in hard currency and tradeable assets – a global reputation for excellence and places that are attractive to people to live, work and invest in. So don’t slash the arts budget,”she said. “The saving is far too tiny to make any impact on the serious challenges in the national budget, and the damage is deep and lasting.”
Government cuts have also affected regional theatres. Sheffield City Council announced a 20% (£106,000) cut to Sheffield Theatres’ annual £529,000 grant in the next financial year, while Stoke-on-Trent City Council is to reduce its annual grant of £67,500 to the New Vic in Staffordshire by £23,000. Meanwhile, Moray Council in Scotland has announced it is to cut its entire arts budget, and Newcastle announced 50% cuts to its arts funding.
Olivier award-winning playwright Simon Stephens has criticised the government’s arts policies as “poisonous, destabilising, savage and deliberate”. One of the latest celebrities criticising the cuts is Julie Walters, saying she might not have made it as an actor if she was starting out as a performer now because of the lack of grants. The actress who recently won the outstanding achievement prize at the 2013 South Bank Sky arts awards says lack of grants is making it hard to succeed in the arts industry.
The majority of art organisations entirely depend on contributions of generous individuals, corporations and foundations to receive funding. Only 5% of The National Young Arts Foundation resources come from government funding.
Government cuts are in turn affecting the arts award industry. Many of our most internationally recognised artists and creative workers lauded at the Baftas, Oscars and Emmys started in regional theatres and small arts venues. With these venues being forced to close due to lack of funds, this will threaten the next generation of talent and could have a devastating effect for the future of British TV, film and radio. With award organisations such as the Baftas being funded by a membership of about 6500 people from the movie, television and video game industries, these cuts could also have an indirect affect of the running of these organisations.
Whilst the extent of many of these cutbacks is yet to be visible, there is a clear concern within the art industry about the government cutbacks. However in these economically tough times the government are required to review budget spend across all sectors and many would be in favour of cuts to the arts to ensure larger cuts are not issues to areas such as education and healthcare. Perhaps privatisation or art awards and sponsorships are the way forward within the arts industry to ensure the sector is still supported, but that the funds are from private organisations rather than the government. Most of the high profile televised events ceremonies, including the Oscars and Baftas are now privately sponsored. These events are hugely successful and beneficial for both the art world and the businesses that promote them so will government funds are short maybe this is a required necessity.
Whilst the extent of many of these cutbacks is yet to be visible, there is a clear concern within the art industry about the government cutbacks. However in these economically tough times the government are required to review budget spend across all sectors and many would be in favour of cuts to the arts to ensure larger cuts are not issues to areas such as education and healthcare. Perhaps privatisation or art awards and sponsorships are the way forward within the arts industry to ensure the sector is still supported, but that the funds are from private organisations rather than the government. Most of the high profile televised events ceremonies, including the Oscars and Baftas are now privately sponsored. These events are hugely successful and beneficial for both the art world and the businesses that promote them so will government funds are short maybe this is a required necessity.
References:
Government risks "starving the young of arts" - ACE chair Liz Forgan - News - The Stage. 2013. Government risks "starving the young of arts" - ACE chair Liz Forgan - News - The Stage. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2013/01/government-risks-starving-the-young-of-arts-ace-chair-liz-forgan. [Accessed 28 April 2013].
Government arts policy is ‘savage’, says playwright Simon Stephens - News - The Stage. 2013. Government arts policy is ‘savage’, says playwright Simon Stephens - News - The Stage. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2013/03/government-arts-policy-is-savage-says-playwright-simon-stephens/. [Accessed 28 April 2013].
Julie Walters attacks arts cuts | Media | The Guardian . 2013. Julie Walters attacks arts cuts | Media | The Guardian . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/mar/12/julie-walters-arts-cuts. [Accessed 28 April 2013].
Lost arts: recording devastating cuts and putting the case for arts and culture | Blog | False Economy. 2013. Lost arts: recording devastating cuts and putting the case for arts and culture | Blog | False Economy. [ONLINE] Available at:http://falseeconomy.org.uk/blog/lost-arts. [Accessed 28 April 2013].
The damage caused by cuts to arts spending will affect us all | letters | From the Observer | The Observer . 2013. The damage caused by cuts to arts spending will affect us all | letters | From the Observer | The Observer . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2011/mar/13/letters-arts-spending-cuts. [Accessed 28 April 2013].
I would much rather support the arts than the unemployed and the non-deserving poor. I do not mean the elderly & those who are truly ill, I mean single mothers (not widows) and benefit cheats.
ReplyDelete