Arts Funding: There is No Question, The Arts Need Investment

(You can read that article here). In virtually the same week the BBC posted a story about Wales launching a special arts initiative aimed at the most impoverished areas in Wales. So who is right?

The Telegraph's Rupert Christiansen argues that large scale arts projects simply add more touristic sparkle to a city. And while these museums and arts spaces do help move the arts conversation from London to other regions, when the projects fail to bring in the money, they come looking for more funding.

Another issue is audience and demand. After all, the current theatre going public is limited and dwindling, and young people are far too "unreliable, impoverished and last-minute when it comes to buying tickets" (his words not ours).

Mr. Christiansen acknowledges that people in Manchester do want high value arts and culture, but he questions the demand in a traditionally football dominated city. He argues there are more important priorities that will improve the lives of residents such as cleaning litter black spots and parks.

While it is absolutely true that we need to be mindful of large scale cultural projects and that improving the lives of residents should be a priority. Suggesting that money should be redirected from the arts to other social projects seems like stealing from Peter to pay Paul. In addition, large scale arts building are more than just a tourist draw, they are also emblems of pride, and show a city investing in itself. In our minds, there is no question that the arts need continued investment. Wales' The Fusion: Tackling Poverty through Culture scheme should be lauded, and can serve as an example of how arts can make a true difference in communities.

The program came about as a result of a report by Baroness Kay Andrews, that looked at how the arts - museums, libraries, archives, historic monuments and arts organisations - can inspire people to learn. The report showed how the arts are crucial to developing sense of worth and identity for both individuals and communities. The project is aimed at six of the most impoverished areas in Wales (in Cardiff, Gwynedd, Newport, Swansea, Torfaen and Wrexham), where access to arts has been limited. The focus of the project will be around school visits, cultural volunteering opportunities and accredited learning for adults. While the Wales project is as yet untested, the idea of arts and culture to boost less affluent areas has been long standing (our google search yielded plenty of references).

There is some truth to what Mr. Christiansen says, building large arts buildings and projects, and having them go unused is financially negligent. Building a massive cultural complex that no one knows about or is too out of reach for most people is wasteful. But imagine if you could combine a large scale arts building/project with outreach work like the Wales Fusion project? Not only does it promote the arts to new audiences, but you are providing a service to the community and lifting up those who may otherwise never get the chance.

What are you thoughts on arts funding? Have you got any ideas on how money in the arts should be spent? Let us know and let's start the conversation.