Anna Wintour wearing sunglasses

Vogue Editor Anna Wintour says arts in the UK are 'under threat'

Photo: Myles Kalus Anak Jihem/Wikimedia

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London-based arts organisations to get Vogue funds

Proceeds from event organised by fashion magazine will go towards supporting the capital's arts scene following recent funding cuts.

Neil Puffett
2 min read

A fundraising event being staged by fashion magazine Vogue will raise money for London-based arts organisations that saw their support cut by Arts Council England (ACE).

Vogue World, which will take place on 14 September, is being promoted as an event to "celebrate a mix of opera, dance, theatre and fashion". Proceeds from ticket sales for the event and donations from philanthropists are expected to exceed £1m.

According to the BBC, organisations set to receive funding include the National Theatre, the Royal Ballet and Southbank Sinfonia as well as smaller organisations such as the National Youth Orchestra, Stanley Arts and choral ensemble The Sixteen.

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The full list of recipients is yet to be announced, but will be divided into three categories, including larger organisations, small arts companies and independent artists and freelancers.

Vogue Editor Anna Wintour said the decision to give proceeds from the event mainly to London-based organisations was a response to arts funding being shifted outside the capital for the 2023-26 National Portfolio.

Following a direction from former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, ACE was required to reduce funding for London-based National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) by 15% in Arts Council England's for its 2023-26 Investment Programme.

The subsequent funding decisions, announced in November last year led to significant cuts for arts organisations in the capital. Donmar Warehouse, a 251-seat theatre in Covent Garden, London, had all of its funding cut as did Hampstead Theatre.

The Royal Opera House saw its funding drop by 10%.

“The arts are under threat in the UK and Vogue World will be a timely reminder of how important they are, how vital a part of our lives, and how much they need our support,” Wintour said.

“The London art scene is so important economically to the city. So many people come to London as tourists to appreciate the art scenes.”