Thinking about culture as if people mattered
Neglecting the origins and principles of cultural policy is damaging because it will lead to to confusion at best and illusion at worst, both of which will make democratic accountability more difficult. In that respect, these developments are in keeping with the powerful—and dangerous—practices of many politicians in democratic societies today. Cultural policy is not immune from this infection.
On Thursday 19 March 2020, I received a request from Arts Council England to take part in an online meeting
‘This week, faith leaders, unions and others called for 2020 to be the “decade of reconciliation and reconnection”. Creating cultural
Earlier this summer, Arts Council England published a ‘Draft Strategy for Consultation’. Covering the ten years from 2020 to 2030,
English arts policy has been preoccupied recently with how to increase people’s engagement in the arts. Since most people already
It’s a genuine shock when the soprano hits her first note. The contrast between the purity of the sound and
This week has been spent at arts conferences and training days in different parts of the country. Each was rich
This is an anxious time for the 700-odd organisations who get regular funding from Arts Council England, and for those who
There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about the arts (and culture) being in crisis. There will be
State funding of culture is a very tricky thing to do in a democracy. Patrons, sponsors, customers just buy what
François Matarasso 