Somerset County Council plan to cut all arts funding from 2011/12
Received via Mark Helyar of Take Art:
"We have heard today that Somerset County Council’s Cabinet will be meeting on Monday 1 November to discuss a budget proposal to stop ALL funding for the Arts in Somerset as from 2011/12. Decisions will be ratified at a full council meeting on the 10th November.
"We want as many people as possible, not just those of us working in the arts, to be aware of this. As the information has only just be announced, no formal campaign strategy has been devised yet. And there’s not much time. In the first instance, we suggest the following:
- We encourage people to attend the meeting on Monday 1st November at 10am at The Taunton Conference Centre on the Somerset College Campus, Taunton - artists, practitioners, supporters, audiences, participants – as many as possible. Those that can’t get in can mill around outside prior to 10am – maybe convene at 9.15am or earlier with banners, flags, stilt-walking etc. as councillors arrive. Having a big presence is crucial. Parking isn’t good so be prepared – please see attached information. We will try to let you know as soon as we can if something is organised - where to meet, what time etc
- "Questions can be asked by the public at the beginning of the meeting. There is a protocol for asking questions – requests have to be made in advance of the day – please see attached information. This is key.
- Contact SCC Conservative cabinet members – the revised list of 6 is below - before the meeting. Write to them, email them, phone them. Their contact details are attached.
- Contact other conservative politicians in the same way, there are 30 or so: their details are on the SCC website. Don’t just rely on email.
"Come up with your own key messages from your own perspectives to illustrate the benefits of arts funding Put the news on your websites, facebook, twitter etc etc – rally as much support as you can.
"We are living in unprecedented times and urgent action is required. We’ll let you know any more information when we can."
- Download SCC.Cabinet_Members.doc
- Download public_guidance_notes_and_meeting_location_plan_1_Nov_2010.pdf
Share this Story
Comments
Leave a Comment
Join the Directory
Raise your profile and platform your theatre practice by listing in the Directory.
If you live or work in the city list yourself now for free.
Sign Up
Don’t these councillors understand – the Arts are not a luxury – we need them for the work they do in our communities and for the contribution they make towards our creative economy.
Where’s the fairness in a 100% cut in one of the smallest spending areas but one that leverages in extra funding from many other sources
What about the work arts organisations are doing with the old and the young and the so-called hard to reach groups in society, raising people’s self esteem and confidence and helping them, in other ways.
Many of these arts organisations are the community-based groups which are part of the government’s much heralded Big Society.
If these cuts go ahead it will be a sad day for Somerset.
This is very bad news. It shows how people in the arts must start getting themselves elected onto councils so that the philistines aren’t in the majority. We have to stand up and be counted.
I’m not sure stilt-walkers are the sort of thing that is likely to convince skeptical councillors that the arts are worth funding. Maybe stilt-walkers handing out business plans, showing how arts funding generates more money into the local economy than it costs might do the trick though.
“During the second World War – when Winston Churchill apparently received a minute from chancellor of the exchequer Kingsley Wood stating the need for severe cutbacks in the arts, he replied, “Then what are we fighting for?”
“During the second World War – when Winston Churchill apparently received a minute from chancellor of the exchequer Kingsley Wood stating the need for severe cutbacks in the arts, he replied, “Then what are we fighting for?”
It’s the hidden affects of the funding withdrawal that will have the saddest impact – creative outlet for disenfranchised groups – keeping kids off the streets by engaging in workshops, giving people an opportunity to express themselves in a safe and controlled way without impacting on society or individuals in a more destructive way. And giving everyone an opportunity to glimpse life in its braodest terms. There is so much more to the arts than the elitist elements (which are self-funding!)that people think are representative of ‘arts’. If funding stops it is just that ‘elite’ element that will survive.
All makes me so mad!
Sorry rant over and any grass roots protests get my full support!
I am completely shocked! Is this really the world that we are living in!? Is there any news from the meeting – what is the current status?
You want my sight? :) It’s highly interesting!
Hats off to wehover wrote this up and posted it.
Hats off to wehover wrote this up and posted it.
That’s way more cleevr than I was expecting. Thanks!
I guess finding useful, relaible information on the internet isn’t hopeless after all.
You did not work on it, or can’t do it.I work in the US for 5 years and back and work in a world class Ads agency in Thailand. I have seen and works on a lot of stuff. I agree Thai oleppe and AE care too much about stylize. I make me sick everyday I hear their comment. They have not idea about design fundamental. Totally opposite when I work in the US, they strongly care about design principle no matter what projects are. All Typography are well structure, never let any un-editing work out to clint hand, because it show how civilize they are as a real professional not a student work.
You did not work on it, or can’t do it.I work in the US for 5 years and back and work in a world class Ads agency in Thailand. I have seen and works on a lot of stuff. I agree Thai oleppe and AE care too much about stylize. I make me sick everyday I hear their comment. They have not idea about design fundamental. Totally opposite when I work in the US, they strongly care about design principle no matter what projects are. All Typography are well structure, never let any un-editing work out to clint hand, because it show how civilize they are as a real professional not a student work.
Play informative for me, Mr. intenret writer.
Play informative for me, Mr. intenret writer.
Play informative for me, Mr. intenret writer.