Arts debate

Online debate archive

Between 12 February and 11 May 2007 we held an open consultation on five key questions that had emerged from earlier stages of the arts debate research. As well as submitting a written response, people were able to post comments on each question via an online discussion forum. During the three-month consultation, we had over 30,000 visitors to the site and over 800 contributions that developed into lively debates.

On this page you can view the online responses submitted to the five questions. We have selected a few comments from each of the five debates to give you a feel for the discussions that took place.

You can also read a full report on the public consultation that combines analysis of all the online contributions with the written submissions to the consultation.

Archived debates:


What do you value about the arts?

  • On 15 February 2007, Brian Popay said: "Art, in all its many forms, is a shared language through which we tell each other about the more profound aspects of our common humanity."
  • On 29 March 2007, Molly Jennings said: "I think if there were art projects going around for people in my age group around local areas, then it might help them to get off the streets and do something constructive in their spare time instead of resulting to drugs and alcohol."
  • On 1 April 2007, Bill Aitchison said: "What I value in 'the arts' is a space outside of institutional agendas, a space where I can perceive the world as somebody else does, a space where my imagination is not insulted."
  • On 3 May 2007, Jo Gedrych said: "Imagination, creativity and sharing are integral parts of the human condition."

What principles should guide public funding of the arts today?

  • On 12 February 2007, Trevor Lockwood said: "Why should the Arts Council of England be so concerned with issues such as ethnicity, gender or disadvantage?"
  • On 9 March 2007, Jordan said: "Once again, why does one need taxpayer money to express oneself?"
  • On 27 April 2007, Elaine Palmer said: "The society we live in is sadly not as inclusive or democratic as it should be, and I welcome arts funding policies that make the arts more democratic and inclusive."
  • On 2 May 2007, Me-hall O'Connor said: "I suggest that in one year a sum of 10-million sterling is split into 500 20-thousand pound lumps and distributed to 500 individual graduates"

What are the responsibilities of a publicly funded organisation?

  • On 12 February 2007, Tom Cunliffe said: "We must always ensure that the pressures of politics stays out of the arts."
  • On 8 March 2007, Tom Flemons said: "I also feel that, as others have said, social policy should not dictate funding. It will always influence funding and part of the Arts Council's job should be to apply the brakes when needed."
  • On 23 April 2007, Graeme Rigby said: "The degree to which these and/or other public needs can be accommodated by an arts organisation without corruption will tend to depend on how deeply an organisation feels that their practice has responsibilities beyond company survival"
  • On 1 May 2007, Clive Gray said: " 'Public value' is not to do with value for money in art. It is concerned with what value do people place on the arts."

When should an artist receive public money?

  • On 13 February 2007, Juniper said: "Teachers, police officers, medical professionals etc. receive 'public' money. We need to expand the possible professional prospects for artists."
  • On 9 March 2007, Shanghai said: "...the question is whether I as a tax payer am happy to contribute towards an artist developing his or her work, work that in all probability I will never see, nor in all likelihood like."
  • On 2 April 2007, Gayle Knight said: "An artist should get public funding when they are doing something that is not necessarily commercially viable but when it pushes boundaries."

Should members of the public be involved in arts funding decisions?
  • On 13 February 2007, Clive Gray said: "...the real complaints should be levied at those who refuse to exercise their judgements on our behalf."
  • On 10 March 2007, Zoe Bremner said: "It would certainly improve the current situation if there were greater public accountability."
  • On 9 April 2007, Tony Clifton said: "Members of the public should no more be consulted about arts funding decisions than they be about which part of a brain a brain surgeon operates on."

What people want from the arts

Click on the image to access a PDF (990Kb) of the new summary report, What people want from the arts

News

more news > >