Culture has barely been mentioned in Britain’s election campaign; it is an area often hard for politicians to stray into: too delicate, too personal. But the arts are of importance to all voters, and seep into areas well beyond the confines of the Department for Culture. The creative economy – from video games to orchestras – is cited by both Labour and the Conservatives as the fastest-growing part of the economy. Britain’s reputation overseas is carried by figures from actor Carey Mulligan to artist Sarah Lucas to author Hilary Mantel. Its arts organisations have become experts in working with the most vulnerable. Its museums and heritage attract overseas visitors. More important, perhaps, than such instrumental concerns, the arts sustain the inner lives of the British nation’s citizens in myriad intangible and unmeasurable ways.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/apr/30/guardian-view-britains-choice-2015-culture-policy