News and Policy Brief - September 10
With summer holidays and Parliament in recess there was some respite last month in the pace of policy developments but the cultural sector is gearing up for another hectic period before the Spending Review in October.
Research:
Taking Part:
The latest estimates from the 2009/10 Taking Part Survey produced by DCMS were released on 19 August. The survey measures engagement and non-engagement in culture, leisure and sport in England and provides data at the national and regional level.
Significantly for the craft sector, 2009/10 data shows that 12 per cent of the UK adult population (16 years or over) visited a craft exhibition in the last 12 months, an increase of 1 per cent from last year. In the same period 18 per cent of the population took part in a craft activity, again a 1 per cent increase from the previous year. Data also shows that 14.5 per cent of adults bought original/handmade crafts in 2009/10, which represents a 1 per cent increase from the previous year.
Data also shows that people who live in rural areas (81.7 per cent) are more likely to have engaged with the arts in the last year than people in urban areas (74.4 per cent). For example, 20.3 per cent attended a craft exhibition in rural areas compared with 10.3 per cent in urban areas. Rural/urban differences have been consistent every year since 2005/06.
Broad findings indicate that three-quarters (75.7 per cent) of adults have engaged with the arts at least once in the last year; proportions ranged from 69.7 per cent in the West Midlands to 84.9 per cent in the South East. This pattern has remained steady since 2005/06. The research also establishes a link between cultural engagement and deprivation. People who live in the most deprived areas of England are significantly less likely than people in the least deprived areas to visit museums and galleries, heritage sites and public libraries; they are also less likely to engage in the arts.
The sample size this year was almost half that of last year (6,000 compared to 14,000) which has caused some debate, mainly over figures which show a decline over the 5 year period. A larger sample size will be reinstated next year. All figures carry the National Statistic badge. The craft specific figures quoted above are national and less likely to be affected by small sample sizes.
Reports are available on the DCMS website and more detailed findings are available here through the NETQuest tool used by DCMS
Public Consultations and Responses
As part of our ongoing advocacy work we are continuing to participate in a number of public consultations and inquiries. Read our response to the Greater London Authority consultation Cultural Metropolis: The Mayor’s Draft Cultural Strategy here and our response to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills’ consultation on the Regional Growth Fund here.
We also sent evidence to the House of Commons Culture Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into funding for the Arts and Heritage. Due to parliamentary regulations we are unable to circulate our full response until the Committee has concluded its inquiry.
We have also prepared a response to the speech delivered by Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills Vince Cable on 8 September, in which he gives indications of the Government’s strategic priorities for investment in Science, Research and Innovation. Read our response covering areas of relevance to the craft sector here.
Sector News:
Museums
The Museums Association has published results of its survey of the nine regional museum hubs funded under Renaissance. The survey suggests a future decline in services if funding for the programme is cut. Specifically, results point to reduced opening hours and visitor numbers and suggest that collections care and access could suffer. All of the responding museums also said they would be forced to reduce school visits, events, activities and outreach, and half of the museums facing cuts would consider introducing or increasing charges. Key findings are available here
Following the publication, Roy Clare Chief Executive of the Museums Libraries and Archives Council commented:
‘I do not believe the best way to make the case for Renaissance (certainly in talks with ministers and local government leaders) is to threaten that a withdrawal of funding will lead to regional museums putting the clock back a decade, mothballing objects and retrenching into a world where museums keep things first, and serve the public last.’ Full statement here
Culture Forum
The second Arts & Business/National Campaign for the Arts Culture Forum met last month to consider issues around Earned Income. Minutes are available here
Economic Impacts Survey
Arts Quarter (AQ), a private sector agency, is repeating research into the impacts of the recession on the cultural and not-for-profit communities in the UK. Over 500 organisations took place in the initial research which was published in 2009. The survey also invites respondents to comment on Government policy and results will be published free of charge at the time of the Spending Review. Complete the survey here
Publications:
Economic Impact Studies
To assist organisations with their advocacy work for the cultural sector Arts Council England has highlighted a number of economic impact studies and resources which demonstrate the contribution of culture to local economies. See the ACE website
University-business links and innovation
In the interest of fostering growth and innovation the UK government has increasingly encouraged universities to strengthen links with business, though facilities such as specialist ‘knowledge transfer’ units. A new NESTA study by Dr Nola Hewitt-Dundas of Queen’s University Belfast looks at other factors which may be more significant facilitators of university/business links.
Access of young people to culture
The report A Study on Youth Access to Culture in Europe, undertaken by Interarts on behalf of the European Commission is now available. The extensive research looked at different areas in which actions aimed at enabling the access of young people to culture have already been undertaken, the approaches of different member states and obstacles to access and participation. Key findings showed for example, that youth access is a growing policy concern in the EU but that contemporary or ‘fringe’ art forms are currently underrepresented in policy decisions; money, geographical constrains and time were shown to be the main obstacles to participation, and ICT is identified as a key facilitator of participation and access.
Recommendations at the European/national government level include facilitating the exchange of good practice examples and mainstreaming ‘access to culture’ in all relevant policies; the private sector/NGOs are encouraged to take a more active role in enabling youth participation. See the full study here
Central Government:
Treasury:
Building the economy of the future
In a speech delivered on 17 August Chancellor George Osborne gave further details about the Government’s plans for the economy. The Chancellor said that the economy is showing signs of gradual recovery and pledged to ‘hold firm’ with the Government’s agenda for economic recovery in which objectives including economic rebalance, reducing government spending and private sector growth are central. He described the Spending Review as a ‘crucial stepping stone on the road to recovery’ and commented that it will be consistent with earlier decisions.
Key priorities for the Spending Review include: – promoting a pro-growth agenda; – decentralising power and empowering people; – reforming the public sector so it delivers value for money.
Read the full speech here
Parliamentary Round up:
Parliament was in recess from 27 July to 6 September. Parties are now gearing up for the three week party conference season in September and October during which they establish party agendas. Conference recess will take place in parliament from 16 September to 11 October 2010.
Last month we reported on the Early Day Motion on the topic of arts funding, submitted by Alison McGovern MP for Wirral South. The motion now has 34 signatures and can be followed here. We will continue to report on EDMs and follow up with signatories where appropriate.
