Innovation and accountability – the arts debate findings unveiled

The public and the arts community believe Arts Council England should give more priority to innovation in the arts.

So says ‘Public value and the arts in England’ – a report detailing findings of the arts debate, the Arts Council’s first-ever public value inquiry, which is published today.

Over the last year, hundreds of people from all over England have contributed to the debate in interviews, group discussions and events. While some contributors were already active participants in the arts, many others rarely or never attended an arts event.

The report finds that many people really are passionate about art – feeling that it helps them to express themselves and better understand the world, challenging their assumptions and broadening their horizons. The arts are also seen as a source of beauty and enjoyment and as an important emotional outlet.

It also shows widespread support for public funding of the arts. At the same time, there are people from all walks of life who feel to some extent excluded from what the arts have to offer. There is a strong call for public funding to ensure that the arts touch the lives of the maximum number of people.

They also want the Arts Council to involve the public more in its decision-making and thereby be more accountable to the public that funds it.

Speaking of the findings, Peter Hewitt, Chief Executive of Arts Council England said:

‘The arts debate has enabled the public and the arts community to have an important conversation about what art really means to us as individuals and as a society.

‘For me there are two important findings. There is widespread support for public funding of the arts, and the public is calling for the Arts Council to be a standard bearer for innovation.

‘This is not the end of the conversation. The findings will help shape our strategy for the future.’

Over the coming months, the Arts Council will develop a detailed response and action plan.

Read about the arts debate and download the full report at: www.artsdebate.co.uk