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Report from Chair of the Arts Group, Kit Friend:

The discussion around the Arts and Education to inform the Liberal Democrat’s Policies was productive, I called in particular for the securing of FE/Foundation funding, and a serious approach to dealing with the catastrophically low graduate premium for the Arts, and the Broke & Broken HE funding system. The calibre of other invitees was fantastic, with much experience brought to the table. Future discussion and progress with the party seems positive, and we should be able to look forward to at least one of the big 3 producing decent policy ahead of the general election for us – regrettably the incumbent ministers in the DCMS have been unable to make time to meet with a delegation from the Arts Group, but we hope after the expenses debacle is over this may be more likely. Other parties: you’re welcome to our advice!

Other attendees at the discussion:

Floella Benjamin – TV presenter
Eliza Bonham Carter – Curator, Royal Academy Schools
Dinah Caine – CEO, Skillset
Christina Coker – CEO, Youth Music
Paul Collard – National Chairman, Creative Partnerships
Kate Cross – Director, egg theatre
Laura Gander-Howe – Director Learning & Skills, Arts Council England
Shân Mclennan – Creative Director, Learning & Participation Southbank
Caroline Miller – Director, Dance UK
David Blagbrough, Inspire!

Report from the Chair of the Arts Group, Kit Friend:
Apologies for the delay in posting up – after much discussion with the committee and others around employment issues, the debate kicked off properly at the Roundtable discussion on Internships and Bursaries chaired by Munira Mirza, the Mayor’s Director of Policy for the Arts, Culture and Creative Industries.

Much interesting discussion was had, with particular emphasis from Dani Salvadori and myself on how to develop better standards of pay and reduce the exploitation of unpaid interns and emerging workers in the Creative Industries. I will continue to push for progress from the discussion in this area, and in particular to get more private sector representatives to the table to enable us to truly move forward in ensuring fair employment in the industries Arts students will enter after graduating, and to widen access to those from all backgrounds – not just those who can afford to live unpaid for months or years.

Other attendees of the discussion included:

Dani Salvadori, Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design
Fiona Davidson, London Museums Hub
Junna Begum, Culture Strategy, Mayor’s Office
Kit Friend, UAL Students Union Campaigns Officer
Libby Anson, Ravensbourne College of Design & Communication
Manick Govinda, Artsadmin
Mark Greco, Cultural and Creative Skills
Sandy Nairne, National Portrait Gallery
Sonya Dyer, Hackney Visual Arts Cluster
Tom Cambell, Culture Strategy, Mayor’s Office
Vilma Nikolaidou, Tate Gallery
Matthew Gansallo, British Museum

Arts Group Chair, Kit Friend, attended the Mayor’s “State of London” Discussion to query the leadership of our capital on what they planned to do to prevent the perpetuation of exploitation of underpaid creative graduates to fuel the cultural heritage of the city. There weren’t any great answers, other than upcoming work on internships detailed by Munira Mirza, Director of Arts and Culture Policy, Mayor’s Office, and the discussion got diverted onto apprenticeships and sports by Kate Hoey MP – but the topic’s out there, and we look forward to the internships roundtable discussion later this month due to be chaired by Munira.

Podcasts from the day should be available soon from www.lbc.co.uk