The Stage

NCA launches grassroots campaign to prevent arts funding cuts

Published Monday 13 September 2010 at 12:49 by Alistair Smith

Cultural advocacy organisations and industry bodies have united to launch a sector-wide campaign to encourage members of the general public to speak out against cuts to central and local government support for the arts.

The internet-focussed initiative - I Value the Arts - has been launched by the National Campaign for the Arts with support from the Society of London Theatre, Theatrical Management Association and Equity, among others. It has gone live today and aims to encourage local grassroots support to fight against proposed cuts by the government to arts subsidy.

NCA director Louise de Winter explained: “Three quarters of the adult population attend or participate in arts activities every year and an even higher proportion of young people. At a time of recession, more and more people are turning to the arts and culture. Reduced opportunities to take part in the arts could have a major impact on the quality of people’s lives and the vibrancy of their communities. As the government is encouraging us all to get engaged and create a ‘Big Society’, we believe it is important for those people who care about the arts to get involved in the decision-making about what their communities will look like. This campaign gives everyone who cares a chance to have their voice heard and collectively show that the arts provide a valued public service.

“This is a really simple and straightforward campaign. It will take 30 seconds for someone to visit the www.ivaluethearts.org.uk website to register their email address and postcode, and then we’ll be able to keep them up to date with information about plans for their local area. The website will go live from Monday, September 13. With a wide base of support within the sector, we hope this campaign will gain public momentum and snowball throughout the UK.”

The campaign will be internet-led and will allow supporters to add campaign icons to their websites or logos to their avatars on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. It has received no public funding and is instead supported by donations by the organisations involved in the initiative.

www.ivaluethearts.org.uk