Arts debate

Q: What are you doing with all the information and insight you have gathered?

A: The arts debate has been the first stage of a longer-term programme to develop a value framework for the Arts Council – one that sets out how we will create value for all our stakeholders, including the public. In the long run our value framework will drive all of our policies and decisions, so the arts debate has the potential to produce a profound shift in the way the Arts Council operates. The arts debate will help ensure that our future decisions are based on a deep understanding of what's important to the communities we serve.

A look at the summary report of the research shows that even at this early stage of analysis some key messages are coming through the debate: the need for a clear and shared mission for the Arts Council and the sector; focus on prioritising quality of experience, innovation and public engagement to deliver that mission; and the need for flexible, transparent and accountable ways of working.

We will be spending the coming months sharing and debating the findings widely and working with our partners to determine how we take forward all that we have learnt. A policy response detailing how the Arts Council will respond will be published in spring 2008.

The Arts Council is also committed to ensuring that the conversation continues. We shall be working hard to maintain this important dialogue about the value of the arts, the role of public funding and our own priorities and principles in the future.