Why don’t conservatives get credit for funding culture? | Arts funding

Hélène Mariage, a well-respected cultural leader, writes that “no political party is committed to the kind of investment required to keep an arts and cultural environment alive” (Durham’s Lumière Festival has been a beacon of hope and togetherness – We Can’t Let the Lights Go Out on the Rest of the Arts, November 11). But it also places responsibility on all of us. She wants the culture sector to do better. But is it possible?

As Commissioner for Culture in the last government, I am still amazed that major funding decisions directed at culture were forgotten, undervalued and ignored, perhaps because the sources were at the time from a Conservative government.

During the Covid period, culture was the only economic sector to receive a rapid, comprehensive and tailored rescue package. The £2 billion Cultural Recovery Fund looked after more than 5,000 organizations across the country. Many large regional funds, such as those for the settlement of cities and borderlands, have directed billions to culture-led projects. Aviva Studios in Manchester, Bristol Beacon, Victoria and Albert East, Shakespeare North in Prescot, Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham and the emerging Eden Project in Morecambe are just a few examples – all of which are highly ambitious government-funded cultural and heritage projects, working closely with local authorities.

Film tax breaks are vital to encouraging inward international investment. But when Rishi Sunak ensured that tax breaks were extended to include theatre, museums and orchestras, where was the welcome?

When the Arts Council announced its (increased) round of funding in 2022, there was intense negative attention directed at the few organizations that were unsuccessful in their bids, and no focus at all on the 275 organizations funded for the first time across the country.

Follow the money. These were very large amounts of funding directed to the culture sector. Privately, some cultural leaders were overjoyed, but the gratitude had to be hidden. The majority of recipients remained silent because the conservatives’ narrative did not fit their worldview. Of course, there is a lot that can be done. But if the culture sector does not recognize and welcome the attention of politicians from all parties, as well as the graft of officials when it comes to it, they cannot expect politicians to stay the course – they must follow their voters.
Neil Mendoza
Conservative, House of Lords; Commissioner of Culture, Department of Culture, Media and Sports, 2020-2023