The Stage

Birmingham arts must comply with review or face penalty

Published Tuesday 3 May 2005 at 12:00 by Ruth Gillespie

Leading arts organisations in Birmingham have been warned they will risk losing part of their grant if they fail to participate in a funding review launched by Birmingham City Council.

Birmingham Royal Ballet, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Midlands Art Centre and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre are among 12 companies that have been told they must open their books for inspection.

The review will look at the impact of the council’s investment, the contribution of arts organisations to the life of the city and how the council works with each company. The findings will then be used to provide a three to five year investment plan that will give organisations more security for long-term proposals and encourage other agencies to invest in the sector.

Councillor John Alden, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “It could be that the organisations don’t co-operate with us. I am sure that won’t happen but it could. Until we have carried out a comprehensive review I have no idea whether they are crying wolf or whether they genuinely need the money.

“It could be that some organisations such as the CBSO require additional funding. We need sufficient information from the organisations to carry out our review but we cannot force them to co-operate. We might say we are sorry but if you don’t provide the information we need to complete the review we may have to consider a small financial penalty.”

The move follows the council’s recent announcement that it plans to provide £5 million for the 12 organisations in 2005/6. Stuart Rogers, executive director of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, said: “We welcome the fact that the council understands how important the arts are to the city and we are grateful to them for responding so positively to the success that the Rep has enjoyed over the last few years. The city council’s generous support will help us continue to create unique and exciting theatre that Birmingham people of all ages can both enjoy and be proud of.”