Over 100 art organisations could lose cash
Nov 5 2010 by David Whetstone, The Journal
MORE than 100 arts organisations could lose regular support from Arts Council England under a new funding system which was launched yesterday.
But the funding body, whose budget for the next four years has been cut by 29.6%, insisted the new system would be transparent, efficient and fair.
Under the old system 850 arts organisations, including 69 in the North East, have been regularly funded on three-year deals.
Other organisations have been able to apply for project funding under the Arts Council’s Grants for the Arts scheme which is funded by the lottery.
The new system means all arts organisations can apply for funding for periods ranging from two to six years.
The Arts Council warned of the potential loss of more than 100 arts organisations across the country by 2015.
But it said a smaller portfolio of funded organisations, “shaped by an ambitious 10-year plan”, was better than supporting a large number which would be progressively weakened by cuts.
Among the successful applicants, maybe 50 to 100 would be deemed “strategic” organisations.
These would take responsibility for the development of the arts beyond their organisations, demonstrating excellence and leadership at national or local level.
The rest would be “programme” organisations funded on the basis of their programmes of work.
Liz Forgan, chair of Arts Council England, said: “While the funding cuts will have a severe impact on our budget, they will not dent our ambitions for the arts and audiences in this country.
“We are determined to take a long-term view and to achieve the goals set out in our new 10-year strategic framework.”
The Arts Council has promised to limit the budget cut for its funded organisations to 14.9% over four years.
Alison Clark-Jenkins, Arts Council regional director in the North East, said of the announcement: “It is a fundamental review of the organisations we fund.
“It’s going to give new organisations the opportunity to apply to us for regular funding and it’s going to look to fund organisations to do the work they want to do and that we want them to do.
“So rather than having core funding and having to apply to Grants for the Arts again and again, we will look at what they need for the work they do.
“We want to be able to fund fewer organisations better and that is partly because there’s less money but also because this is about being more flexible and realistic.”
Organisations have until January 24, 2011 to apply to be funded as a national portfolio organisation. The Arts Council’s portfolio of successful applicants will be announced in March 2012.
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