Arts organisations are told to prepare for budget cuts
Culture secretary warns that publicly funded organisations are not immune from recession
Culture secretary Andy Burnham has warned publicly funded cultural organisations to prepare for possible budget cuts in 2010.
In an interview with The Stage, Burnham said arts organisations would not be immune from any cuts to public spending that have to be made in light of the current financial crisis.
Government spending on culture is set until 2010-11, which is the last year of the current Comprehensive Spending Review. But it is likely that this will be revised in light of the economic downturn and the pressure on public finances.
Burnham said: "Some people might not like it, but the arts have to live in the real world too. Nobody is immune from what is happening."
Although he has also said that he will put a "powerful" case to the Treasury to maintain current levels of funding, some cultural organisations are worried that the arts might be seen as a soft target if cuts have to be made.
Louise de Winter, director of the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA), said arts organisations were being given mixed messages and that Burnham's comments were unhelpful. "I am confident that we have a very good case to make that current investment should be maintained," she said. De Winter added that the NCA had asked for a meeting with the minister.
Nikola Burdon, the Museums Association's policy officer, said: "At a time when every household is feeling the pinch, culture plays a vital role in boosting morale and providing escapism. Museums provide a value-for-money [often free] option that combines learning, entertainment and somewhere to keep warm on a grey winter's day.
"Considering the small proportion of national spending allocated to culture, it would be counterproductive to cut the services that are providing a ray of sunshine."
In an interview with The Stage, Burnham said arts organisations would not be immune from any cuts to public spending that have to be made in light of the current financial crisis.
Government spending on culture is set until 2010-11, which is the last year of the current Comprehensive Spending Review. But it is likely that this will be revised in light of the economic downturn and the pressure on public finances.
Burnham said: "Some people might not like it, but the arts have to live in the real world too. Nobody is immune from what is happening."
Although he has also said that he will put a "powerful" case to the Treasury to maintain current levels of funding, some cultural organisations are worried that the arts might be seen as a soft target if cuts have to be made.
Louise de Winter, director of the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA), said arts organisations were being given mixed messages and that Burnham's comments were unhelpful. "I am confident that we have a very good case to make that current investment should be maintained," she said. De Winter added that the NCA had asked for a meeting with the minister.
Nikola Burdon, the Museums Association's policy officer, said: "At a time when every household is feeling the pinch, culture plays a vital role in boosting morale and providing escapism. Museums provide a value-for-money [often free] option that combines learning, entertainment and somewhere to keep warm on a grey winter's day.
"Considering the small proportion of national spending allocated to culture, it would be counterproductive to cut the services that are providing a ray of sunshine."