Achieving Great Art for All

DATE: April 2010

Arts Council England consultation

Executive Summary:

1. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Arts Council’s public consultation which we understand will culminate in the publication of a 10 year strategic framework and investment plan later this year.

2. This strategic review, coming at a time of economic downturn, presents an opportunity for the Arts Council to focus its activities on fewer areas, while maximising its impact through new partnerships.

3. We limit our comments to a few specific issues which have most relevance to us.

In summary, they are:

• Public subsidy for types of music that fall outside classical and jazz genres should be protected and increased, especially those which appeal primarily to young and to ethnically diverse audiences. A development strategy for supporting popular music (rock, pop, urban etc) is required, which improves access across the country and works in partnership with the commercial music industry.

• The Arts Council should work with the commercial sector to plan support for popular music, and encourage applications from the best creators. One proposal is that a charitable trust located within the commercial music sector could be a more effective channel for managing public support for nonclassical genres, and free the Arts Council to focus solely on supporting classical and jazz in terms of music.

• The Arts Council should focus the majority of its limited resources on creativity itself (the creation, performance, and enjoyment of creative work).

Click on the below link to read the full UK Music response:

UK Music response to Arts Council England on Achieving Great Art for Everyone April 2010.pdf