PRESS RELEASE
Arts and Culture protected in
new spending review
The Courtyard has responded to George Osborne’s Spending Review, in which he describes
arts and culture as “one of the best investments we can make as a nation”.
The Spending Review has protected funding for the Department of Culture Media and Sport
(DCMS) and announced a cash terms increase to Arts Council England, the national body
which funds The Courtyard.
Announcing the Spending Review, Osborne said that £1bn in DCMS funds generate £250bn
for the economy, making arts and culture among “the best investments we can make”.
“Deep cuts in the small budget of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport are a false
economy,” he said.
Ian Archer, Chief Executive at The Courtyard, said, “It has come as a massive relief to arts
organisations all over the country that funding for Arts Council England will be protected. This
funding is vital for The Courtyard to continue to offer high quality shows, films, events, courses
and classes as well as our extensive work in the community which reaches thousands of
younger, older and disadvantaged people every year.
“We hope that the people of Herefordshire will recognise the value of The Courtyard and
other arts organisations, which boost the economy and add to the quality of life of everyone
in the area.”
The Courtyard is one of 663 national portfolio arts organisations funded by Arts Council
England. This settlement represents a better than average result for arts and culture
compared to other Government departments. Arts and culture is one of the Government’s
unprotected areas of spend.
Sir Peter Bazalgette, Chair of Arts Council England said, “This is an astonishing settlement for
arts and culture. The very strong case made by the Arts Council and the sector, supported by
DCMS ministers, for the huge benefit arts and culture deliver to our quality of life, our society
and our creative economy has been recognised by the Chancellor. This settlement means
we can keep up our efforts to ensure everyone, everywhere in England benefits from Arts
Council money.”
Herefordshire Council will be withdrawing funding from The Courtyard in 2016, which has
prompted The Courtyard to launch its Mind the Gap! fundraising appeal aiming to help plug
the ‘gap’ left by the loss of arts funding through public donations.
- Ends –
Notes to editors
For interviews, photos or follow up stories, contact Joanna Lucas, Marketing Officer, on 01432
346534 or joanna.lucas@courtyard.org.uk.
The Courtyard is a registered charity, number 1067869.
Image: The Courtyard’s Chief Executive Ian Archer says it is a “massive relief” to hear that
Arts Council funding will be protected in George Osborne’s Spending Review.