[Art_beyond_sight_theory_and_research] Britain's Arts Council Funding Cut to Benefit Olympics

[Everett Gavel]

Hello,

This is just an "FYI."  I wonder how much longer before
we get such drastic measures taken here in the U.S.?
Yes, I know we already have on too many levels.  And
I'm sure it's our programs, the ones that are a smaller
market, that would get cut first.  That's why this sort
of slippery slope interests me.  Anyway, here you go:


(From the July '07 issue of the Writing-World.com
e-zine.)

ARTS COUNCIL FUNDING CUT TO
BENEFIT OLYMPICS
------------------------------------------------------- 
British writers' and artists' organizations are
up in arms over proposals to cut Arts Council
funding by as much as 35% to help fund the
2012 Olympics.  The cost of hosting the
2012 Olympics in Britain has already well
exceeded the original estimate, and the
Chancellor of the Exchequer has decided to
use funds from the National Lottery to make
up the difference.  This means that the Arts
Council England's Grants for the Arts budget
will be only £54m in 2007/2008, down from
£83m the previous year.  The Council has
had to impose new rules and criteria for its
grants, including the rule that all projects
must start and end within the year of funding.
"We feel the burden will fall on the arts quite
painfully," says Joan Bakewell, chairman of
the National Campaign for the Arts.  "There is
almost no arts enterprise in the country that
has not taken huge benefit from the Lottery."
More than 13,000 people have already
signed a petition to protest the cuts; for
more information, visit
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/lotteryolympics



Regards,
Everett
www.everettgavel.com