Does ACE’s latest intervention go far enough?

Following an unwelcome barrage of closures and cuts, it's little surprise that Arts Council England (ACE) Chief Executive Darren Henley has acted to support the sector by extending its current funding period by a year.

But while ACE is a significant funder of the arts in England, local authorities are the biggest and, across the country, councils are cutting back on their cultural spend with devastating effect. There's little sign that economic difficulties are going to ease anytime soon.

By extending the National Portfolio funding period for a further year to 2027, Henley intends to give National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) some breathing space to explore alternative business models and increase collaboration.

In the absence of new revenue sources, that most likely means following in the footsteps of Northern Ballet, English National Opera and the Crafts Council (to name but a few) by cutting costs – the biggest of which is typically staff. 

As far as increased collaboration goes, whether that be closer partnership working between complementary organisations or even mergers, the end result is likely to be the same.

Whichever way you look at it, jobs will be on the line.

Meanwhile, the decision probably means standstill funding for NPOs for a further year. And those currently outside the portfolio will have to wait another year for any opportunity to access core funding.

Henley has also suggested that, in light of the severity of the situation, NPOs might need to do less than they are contractually required to under the terms of their funding. That could be vital in helping them to balance the books.

Burdensome reporting requirements

But Henley can – and maybe should – go further. Reporting requirements associated with core funding agreements for the current portfolio are more burdensome than ever, significantly exceeding those for the 2018-22 period. 

With purse strings so tight, surely freeing up staff by relaxing these requirements so they can focus on art rather than administration is the logical action to take.

While Henley is at least attempting to do something, what is most worrying is the deafening silence from government.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has waxed lyrical about the importance of the creative industries to the UK economy and the government's desire to boost them.

But, despite museums, galleries, libraries, performing and visual arts being among the nine subsectors of the government's definition of creative industries, they appear to be so in name only. 

Some solace can be taken from the fact that the next general election – almost certainly taking place this year – could see the sector rise up the political agenda.

Although, speaking to cultural leaders last week, Labour's Shadow Culture Secretary Thangham Debbonaire, while saying more money for arts would be her "first priority", did concede that an immediate windfall for the sector is unlikely.

The question is how many more vital cultural assets will go to the wall before things improve.