Arts Council Funding Cuts

[oddoneout]

All very good points - particularly on the future proof nature of the cultural sphere.
I didn’t have time to read all 800 Guardian comments ( a lot for a culture piece ) but slightly contrary to OOO’s original gloss many of them are very supportive of opera. There are several from working class people who , like me , don’t buy the “it’s just for the toffs , why should I care ? “ argument and some very intelligent historical analysis . In the immediate post war climate very few people would have disputed the wisdom of public subsidy of the Arts (or indeed broadcasting ) but now we seem to be the only European country where such views are commonplace .

When I was going through the comments there were only about 150 so, as sometimes happens, the overall tenor of the comments can change as more people add their thoughts. All the better if they were more positive then the early ones.

[vinteuil]

.

... excellent piece by Martin Kettle in The Guardian -

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/26/simon-rattle-britain-arts-classical-music-labour

/

[bluestateprommer]

One of the latest casualties of the Arts Council England cuts is the announcement by the Psappha Ensemble that they're closing:

https://www.psappha.com/a-statement-from-psappha/

"We write, with deep regret, to inform you that Psappha has made the very difficult decision to close.

The ensemble has had an outstanding history, and we still have plenty of ideas and plans for future projects. However, the loss of 100% of our regular public funding from Arts Council England, which constitutes around 40% of our income in an average year, has ultimately proven too great a challenge for an organisation of our size and scale to overcome, especially in such a difficult funding climate for the arts. We’ve worked tirelessly behind the scenes and considered every possible alternative, but we haven’t identified a realistic new funding model that would allow us to continue working to the high standards we’ve set ourselves over three decades of commissioning, performing and promoting new music."

[french frank]

One of the latest casualties of the Arts Council England cuts is the announcement by the Psappha Ensemble that they're closing:

https://www.psappha.com/a-statement-from-psappha/

And that probably includes initiatives such as this:

https://www.psappha.com/psappha-kids/

[Old Grumpy]

See also Vanessa Thorpe in The Observer: https://www.theguardian.com/music/20...m-funding-cuts

[Serial_Apologist]

And that probably includes initiatives such as this:

https://www.psappha.com/psappha-kids/

[Bryn]

See also Vanessa Thorpe in The Observer: https://www.theguardian.com/music/20...m-funding-cuts

Will there be a rebranding exercise to the "Arts Destruction Council"?

[oddoneout]

Meanwhile an update on ENO

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/may/07/eno-chief-says-liverpool-and-manchester-strong-contenders-for-new-home

I think there is an ENO thread but wanted to post before I forgot.

[RichardB]

excellent piece by Martin Kettle in The Guardian

... from which: "a prime minister who can play Beethoven sonatas on the piano, as Starmer reportedly can" - well he has certainly kept that quiet, presumably out of the fear that politicians (aside from Mogg and a couple of others) have these days, that showing any interest in anything apart from popular culture will lose them votes, which brings to mind Gordon Brown's pathetic attempt to claim that his iPod was stuffed with the latest pop music. On the other hand, Starmer has dissembled his way to the party leadership, so maybe he will surprise us all after the next election by coming out as a classical music enthusiast and taking cultural support seriously (though no doubt not as seriously as his predecessor as Labour leader did).

[oddoneout]

... from which: "a prime minister who can play Beethoven sonatas on the piano, as Starmer reportedly can" - well he has certainly kept that quiet, presumably out of the fear that politicians (aside from Mogg and a couple of others) have these days, that showing any interest in anything apart from popular culture will lose them votes, which brings to mind Gordon Brown's pathetic attempt to claim that his iPod was stuffed with the latest pop music. On the other hand, Starmer has dissembled his way to the party leadership, so maybe he will surprise us all after the next election by coming out as a classical music enthusiast and taking cultural support seriously (though no doubt not as seriously as his predecessor as Labour leader did).

The vote catching imperative has a deeply unhelpful downside, not least because ingrained prejudice and ignorance on the part of the voters sets up a downward spiral.
What Starmer says here is correct https://www.musicteachermagazine.co....schools-stupid but would not find favour with parents or business leaders. When I was involved with the attempt by the school my children attended to gain Specialist School status with a focus on the performing arts, it was viewed very negatively by parents ("don't want my boy poncing around in tights instead of doing lessons/playing football", and the rest) despite the school already having an envied reputation for the quality of its drama productions, which engaged the whole school. Business support was always going to be difficult in a rural county without manufacturing or other large companies, but there was also doubt from those that were contacted - even if they had already bought into the team-building concept, they didn't see the connection.
Whatever Starmer's personal views about the value and place of the arts in education or elsewhere I doubt they will be allowed expression even if Labour does manage to get into a position to determine policy.

[RichardB]

Whatever Starmer's personal views about the value and place of the arts in education or elsewhere I doubt they will be allowed expression even if Labour does manage to get into a position to determine policy.

You may well be right. But he is such a slippery character anyway...

[Pulcinella]

You may well be right. But he is such a slippery character anyway...

Forcing many private schools to close by imposing VAT on them would be one surefire way to reduce the amount of music and drama on offer at secondary level.

[RichardB]

Forcing many private schools to close by imposing VAT on them would be one surefire way to reduce the amount of music and drama on offer at secondary level.

But that's a different issue really. The existence of private schools, let alone their tax free status, is another source of unfairness and inequality in education (and the consequences that flow from it). if the state education system were properly supported in all areas, including but not limited to music and drama, there would be less perceived "need" for a private sector anyway.

[Pulcinella]

But that's a different issue really. The existence of private schools, let alone their tax free status, is another source of unfairness and inequality in education (and the consequences that flow from it). if the state education system were properly supported in all areas, including but not limited to music and drama, there would be less perceived "need" for a private sector anyway.

I wouldn't argue with that.

I felt very proud of the kids where I help out (local state primary school/branch of an academy) last Saturday when they presented a short (15 minute) 'opera' (The box of possibilities) that they had worked on with a local composer over only about 6 weeks as part of an event organised/arranged by the York Late Music Festival (I think). I'm not too sure where the funding came from, but it might be from this organisation, York Arts Education:

https://yorkartsed.org.uk/index.php/york-music-centre/information

It was well supported by parents too (about 50 turned up on the Friday afternoon for a 'first performance' at the school).

[Historian]

I wouldn't argue with that.

I felt very proud of the kids where I help out (local state primary school/branch of an academy) last Saturday when they presented a short (15 minute) 'opera' (The box of possibilities) that they had worked on with a local composer over only about 6 weeks as part of an event organised/arranged by the York Late Music Festival (I think). I'm not too sure where the funding came from, but it might be from this organisation, York Arts Education:

https://yorkartsed.org.uk/index.php/york-music-centre/information

It was well supported by parents too (about 50 turned up on the Friday afternoon for a 'first performance' at the school).

And I imagine that they will remember taking part for the rest of their lives. Some may even be inspired to consider music as a career, or carry on/develop studying it. Such important outcomes and fewer and fewer children having access to them. Thank you to all involved.