Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted
Paragraph: 40
We also recommend that these national cultural organisations should have differing expectations as a condition...
Conclusion
We also recommend that these national cultural organisations should have differing expectations as a condition of public funding, including greater accessibility for audiences nationwide and support for grassroots organisations, in a similar way as to how the “crown jewels” of sport have differing broadcasting expectations. One overall ambition for Levelling Up through culture should be that every region can boast world class institutions alongside a local, accessible grassroots cultural ecosystem.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government asserts that a national-level training program is not required because various skills and capacity-building schemes are already being delivered by the government, Arms-Length Bodies, and the wider sector.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
40
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
As set out in the response to the previous recommendation, government policy does not take a different funding approach to ‘national’ as opposed to ‘regional’ or ‘local’ organisations. However, organisations are expected to undertake activity at an appropriate scale according to their size and status, and as such Arts Council England would expect very large organisations to have more significant outreach plans than a very small organisation. We would also note that every region already enjoys world- class cultural and wider institutions. Conclusion: Despite efforts to rebalance the geographic disparities in investment in arts and culture through flagship funds and competitive grants, we share concerns with the sector regarding the sustainability and accessibility of funding over the longer-term. We welcome that the Government has listened to our recommendations regarding guaranteed funding and the broadened scope for bidding areas aspiring to be the UK City of Culture as an important start. However, without further reconsideration as to how the sector can be supported beyond the current rounds of support, it is likely that many areas of the country will see their local cultural organisations continue to struggle. (Paragraph 57)
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