Arts Group

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!

Photo: Kit Friend, Chair of the Arts Group, Outside No.11 with staff from University of the Arts London’s Innovation Centre, Credit: Robert McColgan

Fresh back (relatively) from Whitehall and it appears the future of the Arts in the UK might not be so grim after all… though Mr Darling himself was absent, the great and the good (and 2 secretaries of state!) turned up on Tuesday morning to discuss the “New Deal of the Mind”, and collection of ideas on how the creative industries can innovate their way out of recession proposed by journalist Martin Bright in the New Statesman.

The guest list was truly stunning, and though there was little conclusive planning of action, funds were tabled by various attendees (and a good deal of thinking on where more money should come from to fund development).

On behalf of the Arts Group, the Chair (Kit Friend) emphasised the relevance of the students of the Arts mobilising to form representation during these tough times, called for an end to the (even pre-recession) exploitation of arts students and graduates as free labour, and for an appreciation of the full breadth of disciplines in the Creative Industries (much of the discussion was concentrated around writing and fine arts). The concept of a national database of case studies to inform workers in the Arts about the value of their work was also introduced, a project currently entering the planning stages as a collaboration between ECCA and SUARTS.

More info on the :New Deal of the Mind” is at www.newdealofthemind.com

Lynne Featherstone MP’s less abridged account of the event is here