Our chief executive Alan Davey today called for any future government to maintain levels of investment in the arts because to do so is 'rational, economically sound and essential to our quality of life.'

In his keynote speech at the 'Culture Is Right' conference held in the Unicorn Theatre on London's South Bank, Davey challenged those who argue that subsidising the arts does not offer value for money. He illustrated how every £1 of public money invested in the arts levers in a further £2 from elsewhere, creates jobs and contributes significantly to the fastest growing sector of our national economy.

His keynote speech outlined the ways in which Arts Council England is working in closer partnership with the bodies it funds to help them towards a sustainable future - making hard decisions, finding new business models and improving the range and flexibility of funding agreements.

Directly addressing any future government, Davey concluded:

'We will work with you to make our contribution better understood.  Please understand the mechanism you have, and the effects of formulaic cuts.  Public investment in the arts works hard:  the system you have is unique and should be celebrated.

'So I hope any government will not solely return to a Millsean view of the most efficient creation of wealth being the sole aim of any society. While I have shown how arts money works hard, and does create wealth, it has an ultimate end that Ruskin knew was important to any society - the creation of beauty, and something that goes beyond the material and straight to who we are. Don't let's be afraid of talking about that - because it does matter.

'The role of artists is to give expression and meaning to the world around us, and the role of funders is to support them in what they do best - to challenge, to thrill, to excite and to inspire us; to produce the marvellous and the beautiful.

'To do so is also rational, economically sound, and is essential to our quality of life.'

Other speakers at the two-day 'Culture Is Right' event included Ed Vaizey, Shadow Arts Minister; Munira Murza, Director of Arts Strategy GLA; Tony Hall, CEO Royal Opera House and Tom Bewick, CEO Creative & Cultural Skills.

http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news/our-chief-executive-says-arts-should-be-key-part-a/