The Stage

ACE grants to measure impact of arts on economy

Published Tuesday 20 January 2004 at 13:35 by Sally Bramley

Three research grants each worth £120,000 have been launched by Arts Council England in a bid to develop new ways of calculating the impact of theatres and other arts institutions on the economy.

The Fellowships in Impact Evaluation, which are being jointly run with the Arts and Humanities Research Board, offer subsidies of £40,000 to £45,000 per annum for three years. This will allow successful candidates the opportunity to develop new methods of measuring the economic, social and cultural impact of the arts, which can then be applied nationwide.

The importance of measuring the fiscal benefits of the arts was first demonstrated by the Wyndham Report in 2000, which found West End theatres generated an extra £1.1 billion for London’s economy through audience use of restaurants, public transport and hotels.

Adrienne Skelton, ACE senior research officer, said: “It is a very big area and a very important area. One of the things we need to do is work with the government to be able to articulate what impact the arts has. It is an area of considerable interest in terms of research.”

The fellowships will be hosted by a higher education institution and successful applicants should either hold a postgraduate qualification in an area of arts and humanities or in a social science discipline relevant to the field of impact evaluation and assessment.

Skelton said the arts council was hopeful that fellows would be able to produce a methodology which could be applied to calculate economic, social and cultural impact of theatres and other arts venues and companies across the country. The results could be used to help access grant increases from local authorities and other funding bodies.

She added: “We shall just have to wait and see what comes through when the applications come in. Hopefully it will enable us to understand and articulate the impact of the arts.”

For further information contact Adrienne Skelton on 020 797364413 or email adrienne.skelton@artscouncil.org.uk