When the Arts Council announced their last review of regularly funded organisations, they talked about a shift in the perceived relationship between us and them. It was no longer to be considered a parent/child relationship, but much more of an equal partnership. To a certain extent, I think we have yet to see that change and I believe that is partly because we have been waiting for it to happen, rather than realising that the change is in our hands, not theirs.
So, it is time for us to grow up. If, in this relationship, we are the children, then we are the ones that have to now demonstrate our independence and maturity. The most obvious aspect of growing up is the need to become more financially independent. We all know there is less money, and I know we are all working hard to raise money from other sources, so I don’t want to dwell on this aspect. However, the important thing is that we shout loud and clear about the return on investment we deliver. The economic argument is not the only one to be made, but it is still a vital part of the case for investment. So let’s make sure we are all equipped with the figures to be able to demonstrate how we are contributing to the government’s number one priority: economic growth.
Another aspect of growing up is not having anyone around to check you have done your homework anymore. In this new relationship, with a smaller Arts Council, there will be far fewer school reports and parents evenings (otherwise known as annual reviews). We have to take more responsibility for measuring our own performance against clear objectives that demonstrate the impact our work makes. So let’s not wait for people to ask us what we are doing and how effective it is – we all need to be far more vocal about the differences we are making in our communities.
But let’s get to the crux of the matter. So your parents aren’t going to be around to do stuff for you as much anymore – how, then, are we going to fill those gaps? Arts Council England says it exists to champion, develop and invest in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. We can and do all act as champions for arts and culture, and we all invest in providing experiences, so I believe it is around development that the shift needs to happen.
We are no longer just responsible for our own organisations, but have to step up and take on a wider responsibility for developing the arts and cultural sector. As National Porfolio organisations and museums we form the backbone of the arts infrastructure. That means we have to connect with each other and we have to play a part in reaching out and supporting the rest of the sector.
Work it out for ourselves
We need to strengthen our own networks, and find our own ways of working together. We need to rely less on the Arts Council to bring us together, and work out for ourselves the best way to share our skills and experience. We can no longer afford to fund organisations to do this for us. We need to identify what the gaps in provision are, and the best way we can work together with the Arts Council to fill them. This is not the time to be passive receivers of Arts Council policy – it’s the time to step up and engage in a two-way dialogue about what needs investing in and how it should be done. That has to be done collectively, not individually.
I believe the North East is in a unique position to do this. There is an openness, a warmth and a generosity that exists in this region that enables us to work together better than most. There are numerous examples of fantastic collaborations across the region and I think we have an opportunity to show the rest of the country just how effective working together in a non-competitive way can be.
So now is the time for us all to think about our specific fields of work. What frustrates you about it? What isn’t happening that you think should be happening? If it was your job to fill those gaps, how would you do it? Because it is your job – it is our job.
Whether it’s about developing artists and audiences, developing strategies, policies and leadership, or developing a case for investment, if that’s what we think needs to happen, we have to get on and do it. One of the best things about growing up is of course the freedom that comes with it. We don’t have to wait for permission. The Arts Council are still there to help us, but we don’t have to sit around and wait for them to suggest what they think we should do. We can just do it.
I always say that you know you have really grown up when you have to start looking after your parents, instead of them looking after you. And right now, however we might feel about the changes, I think the Arts Council needs a bit of looking after. If we thought the last comprehensive spending review and resulting cuts were bad, the next one is set to be a lot, lot worse. So more than anything we need an effective Arts Council that can make the strongest possible case for investment on behalf of the cultural sector and the many communities that we serve. I think they need our help to do that.
I believe it’s time to grow up.
This is an edited version of a provocation presented on 21 November, 2012, at the Arts Council England’s briefing for North East National Portfolio organisations and museums. Read the full version here.
