The Stage

Arts funding inquiry will not report until after spending review

Published Thursday 5 August 2010 at 11:13 by Natalie Woolman

House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Chair John Whittingdale has warned that its inquiry into arts funding will not be complete until after the government’s comprehensive spending review, which will set the main culture budget for the next four years.

The inquiry was launched last week to explore what the impact of recent and future spending cuts will be on the arts, but the findings will not be presented until after the spending review on October 20, which will determine the budget of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Speaking to The Stage, Whittingdale said the committee would probably not hold oral evidence sessions until October, although written submissions are being requested from individuals and organisations now.

The Conservative MP said: “I don’t think we are going to be able to have a great deal of influence on the amount of government money which is available. That is something that is essentially determined by the Treasury, and I am sure the Secretary of State [Jeremy Hunt] will be making his case to the Treasury.

“We can certainly highlight why we think it is important that the government continues to fund the arts. But, at the end of the day, I don’t think we are going to have a huge impact on the Treasury. But we can have a greater impact on the way that DCMS distributes the money.”

The inquiry is also seeking evidence and views from individuals and organisations on what level of public subsidy the arts require that is also sustainable for the public purse.

Further issues for discussion include whether the current funding distribution system works, what the impact of recent changes to the DCMS’s arms-length bodies will be and whether the government needs to create more incentives for private donors to give to the arts.

Whittingdale added: “The select committee inquiry is an extremely good opportunity for all the organisations that are affected to submit their response to what the government is proposing and to promote suggestions and ideas.

“I am confident that the Secretary of State will take seriously whatever recommendations the select committee comes forward with.”

Written submissions to the inquiry must be received by September 2.

• The cultural sector has said that Arts Council England should continue to focus on talent and excellence as part of its long-term strategy, according to the findings of a public consultation published by ACE.

The funding body has released the results of its consultation on a ten-year strategic framework for the sector - Achieving Great Art for Everyone. According to the report, “many” respondents said that excellence should be the primary reason for the arts council awarding financial support.

More than 2,500 people took part in the consultation, which ran from January to April this year. Most respondents said that they think the sector should look for new income streams, and ACE should help them to develop these. The majority also said that they would like a shift towards more flexible funding.

ACE will review its proposed framework in light of the public consultation. It plans to publish a final version of the report in autumn.