Politicians, economists and creatives praise arts in ACE's 'Create' 3 Dec 2014
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Arts Council England has published Create, ‘a journal of perspectives on the value of art and culture’. It brings together writers, doctors, economists and elder statesmen to make the case that the arts are essential. |
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Economist Howard Davies writes “foreign visitors pour into the Tates, the National Gallery and the British Museum before and after their pints and pasties. The World Economic Forum produces a league table of tourism competitiveness, an important component of which is a factor known as ‘cultural resources’, which its analysis shows are an important influence on tourist revenues. The UK is in third position.” John Ashton, President of the Faculty of Public Health, argues that culture is a vital component in providing societal wellbeing. Former Prime Minister John Major says that arts bodies should tell the Treasury that the arts are “not an optional extra” citing their ‘soft power’ capacity for making friends with other countries, and in shaping rounded personalities. |
In his foreword, ACE Chair Peter Bazalgette says “we can’t afford not to fund the arts” and describes how its political, economic and social power has been harnessed by everyone from Renaissance Princes to the Victorians creating the Great Exhibition. Simultaneously the Arts Council has overhauled their advocacy toolkit; they hope that used alongside Create it will be valuable to everyone advocating for culture. Arts Council (Create), Arts Council (advocacy toolkit)