The Stage

Tusa to head Conservative arts taskforce

Published Friday 2 February 2007 at 17:25 by Alistair Smith

Outgoing Barbican Centre managing director John Tusa is to chair a new taskforce launched by the Conservative Party with the aim of exploring ways of improving arts provision in the UK.

The group will consider the role of central and local government, the National Lottery and Arts Council England in promoting the arts and will seek to find new ways of sustaining and developing Britain’s cultural talent. It will examine how the arts are funded, and how participation in regional arts events can be improved across the country.

Tusa, who leaves the Barbican in August after 12 years at the venue, explained: “It’s a great open minded initiative that I hope will attract very wide support and participation. As an independent group, we hope to engage in an open and challenging debate and to stimulate fresh thinking in the arts world. The arts make a massive contribution to British culture, and we should do all we can to extend and develop that important role.”

The taskforce will consider ways of reforming the structures of arts administration so that funding reaches artists and performers rather than being trapped in bureaucracy and will conclude with a policy paper which will help inform the Tories’ next manifesto.

Shadow culture secretary Hugo Swire said: “The arts contribute massively to our culture and the general wellbeing of British society. We want Britain to be admired across the world as a centre of artistic brilliance. The Conservative Party wants to find ways to broaden and expand the appeal of the arts throughout the country, and particularly to young people. I am delighted that someone of Sir John’s experience and standing in the arts world has agreed to chair the task force and we look forward to receiving what I am sure will be challenging conclusions.”