Arts Council England has released its response to the announcement that funds will be diverted from England’s cultural sector in aid of the 2012 Olympics. Secretary of State for Culture, Tessa Jowell, announced last week that an extra £90 million from the Lottery will be needed for the 2012 Games, on top of the £143 million of heritage funds already earmarked for the event. "We still believe that the 2012 Olympics presents a real opportunity for arts and culture in this country," said Council Chief Executive, Peter Hewitt. "But we are deeply disappointed that more money is to be diverted away from the arts to pay for the Games." "We will now have to look in detail at how this reduction in Lottery funding might be managed and what particular effects it will have." "The impact is likely to be felt across the whole of England and disproportionately by smaller arts organisations, local projects and individual artists – the main recipients of our Lottery funds and precisely the sorts of people who may be asked to contribute to the cultural Olympics." "We must hope that the Government will compensate the arts for this setback through the Spending Review and we will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Treasury to discuss the situation." For more information, CLICK HERE