Members Online Gathering – ‘Dear Powers That Be’ Session on 4th July 2024

What would you say to the people who make decisions about Participatory Arts in the UK? How would you express your hopes, frustrations, and visions for this vital and vibrant sector? If you had a chance to speak directly to the policymakers, funders, and influencers, what would you ask them to do differently?

These are some of the questions that the ArtWorks Alliance, the UK community of practice and network for Participatory Arts, is asking our members and supporters in an innovative and timely exercise called ‘Dear Powers That Be’. The aim is to collect and amplify the collective voices of those who work in and care about Participatory Arts, especially at this critical juncture of social, economic, and political change. In this blog post, we share the details of how you can get involved and make your voice heard.

This members-only event will provide a platform for you to discuss your expectations and aspirations for policy approaches to Participatory Arts. Led by Abi Horsefield from Collective Encounters, the session aims to reflect the perspectives of both freelancers and organisations active in the field of Participatory Arts.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, 4th July 2024
• Time: 10am – 12pm
• Location: Zoom/Online (instructions sent to separately to members and associates).

The outcome of this session will be a letter, representing our collective voice, which will be sent to the new Ministers for Arts and Culture once they are appointed in the new government.

To participate in this important discussion, please ensure your membership with the ArtWorks Alliance is up-to-date. If you are not yet a member, we encourage you to sign up and join our community via our website.

Your insights and experiences are invaluable as we advocate for policies that support and enhance the Participatory Arts sector. We look forward to your active participation in this crucial session.

Participatory Arts Election Promises

The main political parties in the UK, including those in Wales and Scotland, recognise the importance of participatory arts and culture and have included various policies in their manifestos to support and enhance community engagement in these areas.[i] Here is a summary of their positions and proposed policies:[ii]^,[iii]

Conservative Party

Tax Incentives: The Conservatives pledge to ensure creative sector tax incentives remain competitive and support museums and libraries through philanthropy.

Community Support: The Conservatives propose launching a new Seaside Heritage Fund to preserve and restore coastal cultural assets and extend funding schemes like the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Community Ownership Fund to support local cultural activities.

Nighttime Economy: The Conservatives also aim to review the nighttime economy to revive cultural venues such as pubs and clubs.

• The Conservatives are defending their record while in Government, citing £1 billion in tax reliefs for creative industries and £446 million for cultural organisations over 3 years.[iv]
• Pledges to ensure creative sector tax incentives remain competitive and support museums, libraries, and leveraging philanthropy.
• Promises to launch a review of the nighttime economy and create 100,000 more apprenticeships per year.
• Commits to protecting the BBC, Channel 4, and other public service broadcasters.
• Pledges to continue supporting museums, libraries, and leveraging philanthropy for cultural institutions across the UK.
• Promises to launch a new Seaside Heritage Fund to preserve and restore coastal cultural assets.
• Plans to extend funding schemes like the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Community Ownership Fund to support local cultural activities.
• Proposes reviewing the nighttime economy to revive cultural venues like pubs and clubs.

Labour Party

Arts Funding: Labour plans to increase arts funding by working with the sector and investors to develop new private finance models for arts organisations.

Freelance Careers: Labour aims to ensure that a freelance career in the arts remains viable through their “New Deal for Working People”, which provides flexibility for creators.

Cultural Exchange: Labour seeks to facilitate easier touring and cultural exchange for British artists by arranging agreements with the EU.

Community Development: The Labour Party says that it recognises the intrinsic value of arts and culture beyond economic contributions.

National Loans: They plan to encourage national museums and galleries to loan out more collections to improve access across the country.

Arts Education: Labour plans to boost arts education by reinserting creative subjects into the core curriculum.

• Labour also promises to “end the ministerial merry-go-round” and treat the culture brief with more respect after frequent changes of Culture Secretary under the Conservatives.[v]
• Plans to boost arts funding by collaborating with the sector and investors to create new private finance models for arts organisations.
• Aims to ensure a freelance career in the arts remains viable through their “New Deal for Working People” providing flexibility for creators.
• Seeks arrangements with the EU to facilitate easier touring and cultural exchange for British artists.
• Aims to boost arts education by reinserting creative subjects into the core curriculum.
• Sees the arts as vital for creating thriving communities and improving wellbeing.

Liberal Democrats

Funding Crisis: The Liberal Democrats criticise Conservative cuts to local authority budgets that have impacted community arts funding and commit to addressing this crisis.

Health and Wellbeing: The Liberal Democrats aim to promote the role of arts in health and wellbeing and highlight the economic contribution of creative industries.

Community Focus: The Liberal Democrats emphasise the importance of arts for a thriving society and aim to maintain free museum access while protecting the independence of public broadcasters.

• Criticises Conservative cuts to arts funding and barriers for touring artists in Europe post-Brexit.
• Pledges to tackle the funding crisis facing local authorities for arts and culture.
• Aims to promote the role of arts in health/wellbeing and maintain free museum access.
• Strongly committed to protecting the independence of the BBC and other public broadcasters.
• Criticises Conservative cuts to local authority budgets that have impacted community arts funding.
• Commits to tackling this local funding crisis faced by councils for arts and culture.
• Highlights the economic contribution of creative industries and importance of arts for a “thriving society”.

Green Party

Funding Restoration: The Green Party pledges to restore arts funding to pre-2010 levels, accusing the Conservatives of “cultural vandalism” through underfunding.

Universal Basic Income: The Green Parts will advocate for a Universal Basic Income to give people the freedom to pursue their artistic potential.

Local Arts: The Green Party highlights the importance of local arts funding from councils and promises significant investment to support community sports, arts, and culture facilities.

• Accuses the Conservatives of “cultural vandalism” through underfunding and pledges to restore arts funding to pre-2010 levels.
• Advocates for a Universal Basic Income to give people freedom to reach their artistic potential.
• Highlights the importance of local arts funding from councils.
• Wants to ensure visa-free travel for musicians touring in the EU.
• Views arts, culture and sports as “central to people’s mental and physical wellbeing, and to thriving communities”.
• Promises £5 billion investment to support community sports, arts and culture facilities.
• Aims to keep local museums, theatres, libraries and art galleries open and thriving.
• Advocates for a Universal Basic Income to give people freedom to pursue artistic potential.

Scottish National Party (SNP)

Community Engagement: The SNP places a strong emphasis on community engagement in arts and culture, aiming to enhance access and participation at the grassroots level.

Cultural Investment: They propose increased investment in local arts projects and community cultural initiatives, recognising the role of arts in fostering community cohesion and identity.

Plaid Cymru

Welsh Arts: Plaid Cymru focuses on supporting Welsh language arts and culture, promoting local artists and cultural projects that reflect Wales’ unique heritage.

Funding and Support: They advocate for greater funding for community arts initiatives and support for local cultural organisations to enhance participation and engagement across Wales.

Summary

The main political parties in the UK, as well as regional parties in Scotland and Wales, see participatory arts and culture as vital to community development, wellbeing, and identity. Their policies reflect a commitment to increasing funding, supporting local initiatives, and promoting engagement in arts and culture at the community level.[vi] So, most parties see vibrant community arts and cultural offerings as key to developing strong local economies, improving wellbeing, and creating a sense of identity and cohesion.[vii] Policies aim to boost funding, access and education around the arts at a local level.

References

[i] https://www.wearecreative.uk/key-general-election-manifestos-are-out-what-does-it-mean-for-the-cultural-and-creative-industries/

[ii] https://forgepress.org/2024/05/28/general-election-2024-what-does-arts-theatre-need-from-the-parties-manifestos/

[iii] https://www.campaignforthearts.org/general-election-2024-what-are-the-parties-pledging-for-the-arts/

[iv] https://www.campaignforthearts.org/general-election-2024-what-are-the-parties-pledging-for-the-arts/

[v] https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/06/05/uk-general-election-%7C-where-do-the-parties-stand-on-culture

[vi] https://www.wearecreative.uk/cultural-creative-indsutries-general-election-hustings/

[vii] https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2024/06/how-do-the-party-manifestos-measure-up-on-museums-and-culture/