Campaign for the Arts

Campaign for the Arts is a charitable organisation in the United Kingdom.[1] It works to champion, defend and expand access to the arts and culture, for and with the public.

Campaign for the Arts
Formation2022 (2022)
Merger of
  • National Campaign for the Arts (1985-2022)
  • Public Campaign for the Arts (2020-2022)
TypeCharity
PurposeAdvancement of the arts and culture
Area served
United Kingdom
Key people
Websitewww.campaignforthearts.org

As of 2022, Campaign for the Arts has over 250,000 registered supporters nationwide.[2]

History

Campaign for the Arts launched on 24 October 2022. It was formed by the merger of the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) and Public Campaign for the Arts (PCA).[3]

Background

In 1983, the UK Government published a white paper proposing the abolition of the Greater London Council (GLC) and six top-tier Metropolitan County Councils (MCCs). Arts figures warned that the changes "would radically alter the structures and levels of arts funding" and "could have irreparable consequences on the artistic life of this country".[4]

Representatives from more than 600 arts organisations assembled at The Old Vic in London on 11 December 1983,[5] to prepare a "collective and independent response" and to "back the creation of a National Lobby for the Arts". The meeting was chaired by Joan Bakewell, and speakers included Tony Banks, George Tremlett and Peter Hall.[4]

In June 1984, the National Lobby for the Arts (NLFA) formed a joint executive committee with the nascent advocacy group British Arts Voice (BRAVO).[5] The two organisations approved a merger in November 1984 to form the National Campaign for the Arts.[6]

National Campaign for the Arts

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) was launched in London on 12 March 1985.[7] Its first Director was Simon Crine,[8] and its President was Melvyn Bragg.[9]

It was initially funded by six Founder Members: the Association of British Orchestras, the British Actors' Equity Association, the Broadcasting and Entertainment Trades Alliance, the Musicians' Union, the Society of West End Theatre and the Theatrical Management Association.[10]

The NCA’s first campaign was to urge local councils to maintain cultural funding.[11]

Directors of the NCA
  1. Simon Crine (1985-1990)
  2. Simon Mundy (1990-1993)
  3. Jennifer Edwards (1993-1998)
  4. Victoria Todd (1998-2006)
  5. Louise de Winter (2006-2011)
  6. Selina Mehra (Acting Director, 2011-2012)
  7. Laura Willoughby (Interim Director, 2012)

Chairs of the NCA
  1. Stephen Remington (1985-1988)
  2. David Pratley (1988-1992)
  3. Richard Pulford (1992-1996)
  4. Stewart Steven (1996-2004)
  5. Joan Bakewell (2004-2010)
  6. Kate Adie (2010-2011)
  7. Richard Turner (Acting Chair, 2011-2012)
  8. Samuel West (2012-2022)

Public Campaign for the Arts

The Public Campaign for the Arts (PCA) was launched on 18 June 2020. Its founding Director was Jack Gamble.[12]

When the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the UK’s cultural sector, 150,000 members of the public joined the PCA to urge the Government to deliver the Culture Recovery Fund. Their role was featured in Alan Yentob’s BBC documentary, imagine…We’ll Be Back.[13]

In March 2021, Nottingham City Council reduced budget cuts to arts organisations from 37% to 15% following a campaign which involved over 3,500 local supporters of the Public Campaign for the Arts.[14]

In May 2021, over 160,000 people supported the PCA’s national campaign against cuts to arts and creative courses at Higher education level in England.[15]

In February 2022, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead abandoned a 100% cut to arts funding and approved a 17% increase, after a PCA campaign supported by former UK Prime Minister Theresa May.[16]

Organisation and governance

Campaign for the Arts is registered in England and Wales as a charity and a company limited by guarantee. It is governed by a Board of Trustees, of which the current Chair is Jack Haynes. The current Director and CEO is Jack Gamble.[17]

Activities

The organisation aims to create projects, initiatives and well-researched information to inform people, express the value of the arts to contemporary society, and ensure that everyone in the UK has opportunities to experience and participate in the arts.[18]

Hearts for the Arts awards

Campaign for the Arts delivers the annual Hearts for the Arts awards, recognising excellence in local authority support for the arts and culture.[19]

Arts Map

Campaign for the Arts is developing a digital map of the UK’s arts and cultural organisations, called the Arts Map.[20]

Arts Index

Campaign for the Arts publishes the Arts Index, a "health check for the arts" which assesses changes in key metrics.[21]

References
  1. "Campaign for the Arts, registered charity no. 1079313". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
  2. "Homepage". Campaign for the Arts. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  3. "Merger creates nationwide alliance for the arts". Arts Professional. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  4. "Dire warning from strange bedfellows". Westminster & Pimlico News. 9 December 1983. p. 9. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  5. "Arts lobbies to form pressure group". The Stage. 23 August 1984. p. 2. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  6. "Together – at last". The Stage. 29 November 1984. p. 1. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  7. "A drive to win more money for the theatre, concerts and the Arts". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 13 March 1985. p. 5. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  8. "Unions seek funding power". The Stage. 14 March 1985. p. 2. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  9. "Campaign to keep pressure on Arts Council". The Stage. 28 November 1985. p. 1. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  10. Labour Research (1990) Labour Research Volume 79 at Google Books
  11. "Arts Lobby in cash plea to councils". The Stage. 23 May 1985. p. 2. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  12. Chris Wiegand (18 June 2020). "'The heart of a community': campaign highlights human value of UK arts industry". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  13. "We'll Be Back?". imagine…. 9 February 2021. BBC. BBC One. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  14. "Nottingham arts win grim victory in council funding U-turn". Arts Professional. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  15. "Majority of public back funding for university arts courses, as Gavin Williamson plans cut in support". i news. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  16. "Theresa May's local council drops plan to abolish arts funding". The Guardian. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  17. "Our people". Campaign For The Arts. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  18. "Campaign For The Arts". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  19. "Hearts for the Arts". Campaign For The Arts. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  20. "Arts Map". Campaign For The Arts. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  21. "Arts Index". Campaign For The Arts. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
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