Concerns have been raised over Arts Council England’s (ACE) proposals, detailed in an email sent to stakeholders by chief executive Alan Davey, to cut 150 jobs and replace nine regional offices with five hubs in the north, Midlands, southwest, south and London.
Simon Green, assistant head of culture at Hull City Council, said: “One office up north does reinforce the ‘grim up north’ stereotype. ACE’s responsibility for museums is relatively new. It has to be sensitive to that and the way it applies this restructure will be examined in detail.”
However, he added that if the arts council’s proposals for additional satellite offices to support the hubs were fleshed out and the overall plan was well thought through, the decisions would not be judged harshly.
Hilary Wade, director of Tullie House Museum, said: “The number of job losses being considered would have a major impact and it will be a real challenge for ACE to maintain an appropriate level of expertise, knowledge and support across the country, particularly where – as in the north – the area covered by a hub is large and diverse.”
But Beamish museum director Richards Evans said he hoped there would be time to influence the restructure.
Simon Green, assistant head of culture at Hull City Council, said: “One office up north does reinforce the ‘grim up north’ stereotype. ACE’s responsibility for museums is relatively new. It has to be sensitive to that and the way it applies this restructure will be examined in detail.”
However, he added that if the arts council’s proposals for additional satellite offices to support the hubs were fleshed out and the overall plan was well thought through, the decisions would not be judged harshly.
Hilary Wade, director of Tullie House Museum, said: “The number of job losses being considered would have a major impact and it will be a real challenge for ACE to maintain an appropriate level of expertise, knowledge and support across the country, particularly where – as in the north – the area covered by a hub is large and diverse.”
But Beamish museum director Richards Evans said he hoped there would be time to influence the restructure.
