The Stage

NCA’s De Winter questions wisdom of ACE funding decisions

Published Friday 1 February 2008 at 15:25 by Lalayn Baluch

National Campaign for the Arts director Louise de Winter has welcomed Arts Council England’s reprieve for 17 companies facing cash cuts, but says the decision to withdraw funding from other organisations was based on “inaccurate data and evidence”.

She also questioned why the theatres saved today, as ACE announced its final decision on public investment for the next three years, were considered for cuts in the first place.

“We are concerned about those organisations that have not been granted a reprieve, as our understanding is that some decisions to withdraw funding have been made on inaccurate data and evidence,” she said.

“We’ll now be working with those organisations to ascertain how they might wish to go forward - to see if they intend to appeal, and to ensure they are able to secure transitional funding arrangements where necessary.”

She said the NCA was committed to working with the arts council to ensure that future funding decisions were “handled in a more consultative fashion and are taken in a more open and transparent way”.

De Winter also welcomed new ACE chief executive Alan Davey’s comments when he pledged his “commitment to a greater, open dialogue between the arts council and the sector.”