“The UK’s Labour Party manifesto, published on Tuesday, 16 May, promises a new £1 billion Cultural Capital Fund ‘to upgrade our existing cultural and creative infrastructure to be ready for the digital age,’ ” writes Martin Bailey in Tuesday’s (5/16) Art Newspaper (U.K.). “Administered by the Arts Council, the fund would distribute around £200m annually over five years, making it ‘among the biggest arts infrastructure projects ever,’ … the party says…. The fund would have ‘a particular focus on projects that could increase museums’ and galleries’ income and viability’ … Funding cuts under the Conservative government … have hit the Arts Council and local authorities, creating ‘a very tough financial climate …’ the party says…. On arts education, Labour pledges to provide an annual £160m boost for primary schools in England…. The manifesto … says that as Britain leaves the European Union, ‘we will put our world-class creative sector at the heart of our negotiations and future industrial strategy.’ The manifestos of the Conservatives and the other parties are due to be published later this week, with the general election to be held on 8 June.”
Posted May 18, 2017
