Let’s Create, Arts Council England’s 79-page document setting out its plans for the next ten years, is unambiguous in its key goals for both the sector and the country as a whole.
All people – whether a prodigious young artistic talent or someone looking to try something new later in life – will be considered in ACE’s work to ensure every village, town and city has more opportunities to engage in cultural pursuits than ever before.
Arguably offering a much more inspirational and inclusive vision for the nation than any put forward at the recent general election, the organisation wants to “build a country in which every single one of us has the opportunity to benefit from creativity and culture,” according to its chief executive, Darren Henley.
To inform Let’s Create, Arts Council consulted over 6,000 people, held two formal consultations and ran numerous workshops. The general public, industry professionals, financial backers and figures from local and national government were all included in this process.
The ten-year strategy officially launches on 20th April, after ACE publishes a Delivery Plan to detail the practicalities of how its 2030 vision will be made a reality.
Change is no longer optional
Part of the new strategy sees Arts Council outline four ‘Investment Principles’ which organisations seeking support will need to adhere to.
Ambition and Quality – Cultural organisations are ambitious and committed to improving the quality of their work
Inclusivity and Relevance – England’s diversity is fully reflected in the organisations and individuals that we support and in the culture they produce; we want to support organisations that matter to their communities
Dynamism – Cultural organisations are able to thrive and better able to respond to the challenges of the next decade
Environmental Responsibility – Cultural organisations lead the way in their approach to the climate crisis and environmental degradation
Plans to improve areas such as arts education and sustainability certainly chime with what the sector is calling out for. Recent months have, for example, seen Tate plead with the government to ‘level the playing field’ in schools and countless institutions declare a climate emergency.
“This strategy will value the creative potential in each of us, provide communities in every corner of the country with more opportunities to enjoy culture, and celebrate greatness of every kind,” Sir Nicholas Serota, chair of Arts Council England, notes.
“It marks a significant change, but an evolutionary one: honouring and building upon the successes of the last decade while confronting the challenges and embracing the exciting possibilities of the next.”
Arts Council’s full 2020-30 strategy can be found here.
