Access and excellence

Published Monday 30 July 2007 at 18:45

Your article ‘BME theatre brands Purnell’s inclusion claims ‘insane” (July 26, page 1) is simply wrong in its assertions.

Paulette Randall claims that my comments about access targets were “insane”. I wonder if she has actually read my speech on the subject? In it I set out my belief that reaching new audiences is only one part of the battle - ensuring that what they see is world class is just as important.

I did say “that emphasis on excellence should not be seen as a sign to take the foot off the pedal of access… I see cultural policy as a pyramid - with participation the foundation, education the way up and excellence the apex.” I did not say, or imply, that increasing access doesn’t matter, or that the battle to do it has been won. Far from it, there is still a long way to go to widen opportunity in England. But the battle that has, I believe, been won is over the notion that access and excellence are mutually exclusive concepts. The truth is that each reinforces the other, as new audiences with new horizons spur artists on to more innovation and higher standards. To help us understand how they can do that, while avoiding the crudity of only setting more targets, I have asked Brian McMaster to report to me on how we can set cultural organisations free to draw the public - all the public - in.

James Purnell

Secretary of state for culture, media and sport

Department for Culture Media and Sport

2-4 Cockspur Street

London

SW1Y