Ministers lift curtain on cash pledge for arts.

AuthorTownley, Gemma
PositionUK government promises 100 million pounds to the arts sector - Brief Article

Arts organisations have welcomed the government's promise of 100 million [pounds sterling] to the sector and argue that it is now time to redress a long history of under-funding.

The arts sector is to receive 100 million [pounds sterling] under a three-year strategy announced by Chris Smith, secretary of state for culture. The increase will mean a funding baseline of 338 million [pounds sterling] this year.

In a move which has been welcomed by the arts establishment, the government also promised extra help for regional theatres and outlined plans to set up 12 new "creative partnerships" in which top arts and cultural institutions will help young people to develop their creative and artistic skills. The initiative is part of a wider scheme aimed at improving participation in the arts and sport in the UK.

"The arts enrich the lives of British people in countless ways: they are uplifting, challenging and exhilarating," Smith said. "This additional investment will provide greater stability for arts organisations, so that the new money translates directly into more work on stage and in galleries, to bring the best in the arts to more people than ever before. Our aim is to increase by at least half a million the number of people experiencing and enjoying the arts."

Regional theatres have had a particularly tough time recently. Theatres in Leatherhead and Greenwich have been shut down in the past few months because they ran out of money.

Gerry Robinson, chairman of the...

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