Independent Review of the Arts Council - do you want to comment?

The Government has commissioned an Independent Review of the Arts Council England (ACE). 

There's an Open Call for Evidence - which means the likes of you and me and/or the organisations we are affiliated to could provide evidence to the Review

We want to hear from anyone who has an interest in or a view about the operation of the Arts Council England and what it delivers. From the users of the art forms ACE funds, through creative practitioners, freelancers, national, local or community based organisations and institutions, all views will be welcomed and taken into consideration.

• These are the Survey Questions.
• YOU can complete your submission online - and are encouraged to do so
• This call for evidence closes at midday on 24 April 2025.

Image by John Hain from Pixabay

Why have a review of Arts Council England?

The objective is summarised in the quotations below. The introductory questions in bold are mine.

Is cultural excellence attuned to a local voices?

The Arts Council England review is an opportunity to examine how to bring cultural excellence to every corner of the country while amplifying local voices in decision-making. 

How to foster creativity?

It will consider how Arts Council England nurtures creativity at all levels - from community arts to international masterpieces - and explore ways to enhance this through stronger dynamic partnerships between national and regional stakeholders. 

Can you have a world class culture which is accessible and has a community focus?

At its heart, this review asks how we can ensure this country has a vibrant, accessible arts ecosystem that truly serves all communities and delivers world-class culture at every level.

This last one is the nitty gritty of what makes this review difficult. How do you achieve excellence at a national level is you also need to make sure you are delivering for local people.

What is ACE?

Arts Council England is an executive non-departmental public body and registered charity, sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. ACE also works with other government departments and it has important relationships with local authorities.

In effect, it's one of the main ways funding for arts and cultural activities gets to a local level. It has also promoted excellence in national culture in the past - and some have criticised it for being far too focused on London and national cultural entities based in London

For example, it provides a focus for and administers various grant programmes

Scope of the Review

The review is not about whether ACE should exist. 

These are the Terms of Reference which cover:

• strategic objectives, 
• working relationships and partnerships, and 
• the relationship between ACE and government

"This landmark independent review, led by Baroness Margaret Hodge, will shine a light on how we can break down barriers, amplify diverse voices, and ensure that arts and culture are truly accessible to everyone, regardless of background or postcode. By examining everything from funding mechanisms to community engagement, we’re taking a crucial step towards building a more inclusive, vibrant and dynamic cultural landscape that reflects the rich creativity of every community in England.”

 

Who are the Reviewers?

Baroness Hodge of Barking has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to conduct an independent review of the Arts Council England (ACE). She will be supported by an Advisory Panel featuring experts from across the creative sectors.

That's Margaret Hodge who is a longstanding British politician and now a peer as per the Dissolution Honours in 2024 after she stood down from being an MP.

This is the document Arts Council England review - Lead Reviewer and Advisory Panel members states who is taking part.

The Advisory Panel comprises people who touch numerous relevant bases and communities:

• Helen Bowdur - Arts Fundraising Consultant and Vice Chair of the Octagon Theatre, Bolton and Buxton Opera House.
• Dave Moutrey OBE - Director of Culture and Creative Industries at Manchester City Council, and Chair of Theatres Trust
• Stella Kanu - CEO of Shakespeare’s Globe. Stella is also Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan’s representative to Arts Council England.
• Paul Callaghan CBE, DL, FRSA - co-founder and the Chair of The Leighton Group, and the Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture Trust.
• Samir Savant - Chief Executive, St George’s Bristol. 25 years’ experience in senior roles at national and regional cultural organisations, with a special focus on philanthropy, audience development and mentoring.
• Laura Pye - Director of National Museums Liverpool (NML) and soon to be Chair of the National Museum Directors Council.
• Pawlet Brookes MBE - She is founder, CEO and Artistic Director of Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage in Leicester

Looks to me as if it's quite heavily weighted towards the north - which is a bit of a surprise.  But maybe not, if one recalls the past criticisms re the weighting of where the funding goes in geographical terms.

It will be interesting to see what comes out of it. Particularly in the context of a very difficult economic climate, where intentions about how funding the Arts Council England might have in future might be going out the window as I type!

News Coverage

Below are some news articles about the Review of the Arts Council

• Margaret Hodge to lead review of regional inequality in the arts | The Guardian - Anti-corruption champion to examine Arts Council England projects and lack of facilities in some areas of country.

• Arts Council England to face scrutiny as government announces new review | The Art Newspaper - Former minister of state for culture, creative Industries and tourism Margaret Hodge will lead the process

• Arts Council England review to avoid ‘debate between excellence and access’ | Museum Council

• ACE review will explore how to protect culture from ‘short-term political expediency’ | Museums Association - The UK Government has launched an open call for evidence as part of its independent review of Arts Council England (ACE).