Fearful arts groups focus on survival
Jul 1 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal
MINISTERS are being accused of following a “London-centric” policy as arts bodies prepare for an expected “comprehensive dismantling” of regional champions.
Double standards at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have been highlighted by North culture bosses as they await the Hodge Report.
Arts minister Margaret Hodge will today prepare to contact arts groups explaining her decision before publication of a report set to save money and reduce “regional duplication” in organisations with representatives outside London.
Yet at the weekend, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said he wanted to avoid accusations that he was focused only on London.
The eight-month review comes as regional bodies already face severe cuts.
The Museums, Libraries and Archives group, set up to increase attendance at the region’s leading educational centres, said earlier this year it was phasing out its regional branches.
And Sports England is this week preparing to consider whether staff changes are needed at regional offices after a “structural review”, while the Arts Council continues to consider how to find 15% efficiency savings sought by the Government.
The changes follow funding cuts which deprived the region of millions of pounds in arts cash to pay for the London 2012 Olympics. For staff at Culture North East, tasked with bringing together different strands of arts and seeking investment in the region, the Government has failed to show the support it once promised.
Chairwoman Olivia Grant said the regions needed a renewed commitment from the Government – something she suspects is unlikely to happen.
“If this report goes against us, we face a situation where there is almost no regional representation and almost every arts voice instead coming from London.
“I think it is very important that all those with a responsibility in the region discuss with one another what we need to do to ensure the region’s cultural offer is considered by those actually living in and working in the North East.”
However, rather than passively accepting her fate, the culture boss is already considering how the region’s arts forums might survive if the Government goes ahead with the cuts.
“If the result is what I think it might be, we would hope that the councils, the development agency and other interested partners can come together and see what we can salvage.
“There has been huge investment in the region’s arts and we do not want to see that go to waste.”
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the findings of the review of regional arrangements were due out this week and it would be inappropriate to comment before that.
