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Arts chiefs tap nation's enthusiasm to champion Britain's cultural life Arts chiefs tap nation's enthusiasm to champion Britain's cultural life
(5 months later)
While the culture secretary, Maria Miller, advocates arguing the case for the arts based on their economic impact on UK plc, the leaders of Britain's arts organisations have a much more ambitious plan: to harness the enthusiasm of the nation to advocate for Britain's cultural life, from blockbuster films to school music lessons and everything in between. The ultimate aim is for the arts to become a "manifesto issue" in Britain's political life.While the culture secretary, Maria Miller, advocates arguing the case for the arts based on their economic impact on UK plc, the leaders of Britain's arts organisations have a much more ambitious plan: to harness the enthusiasm of the nation to advocate for Britain's cultural life, from blockbuster films to school music lessons and everything in between. The ultimate aim is for the arts to become a "manifesto issue" in Britain's political life.
Since 2011, leaders of arts organisations, from theatres to museums to dance companies, have been quietly forming a new movement called What Next?, holding meetings every Wednesday morning in London.Since 2011, leaders of arts organisations, from theatres to museums to dance companies, have been quietly forming a new movement called What Next?, holding meetings every Wednesday morning in London.
Now What Next? is to hold its first large-scale event: on Monday a mass meeting with 600 delegates is to be held at the Palace theatre in London. The occasion will see the launch of three initiatives: first, to engage every British MP in the work of their local arts organisations; second, to draw in local councillors, business people and leaders of schools and colleges, treating them "like high-level donors", according to the artistic director of the Young Vic, David Lan; and third, to come together to harness the voices of their audiences, visitors or members.Now What Next? is to hold its first large-scale event: on Monday a mass meeting with 600 delegates is to be held at the Palace theatre in London. The occasion will see the launch of three initiatives: first, to engage every British MP in the work of their local arts organisations; second, to draw in local councillors, business people and leaders of schools and colleges, treating them "like high-level donors", according to the artistic director of the Young Vic, David Lan; and third, to come together to harness the voices of their audiences, visitors or members.
According to Alistair Spalding, artistic director of Sadler's Wells theatre, the long-term aim of What Next? is to "actually get the public to understand the value of culture, so that it becomes a manifesto issue … One of the primary aims, which the arts hasn't yet achieved, is to get the public on our side."According to Alistair Spalding, artistic director of Sadler's Wells theatre, the long-term aim of What Next? is to "actually get the public to understand the value of culture, so that it becomes a manifesto issue … One of the primary aims, which the arts hasn't yet achieved, is to get the public on our side."
Lan added: "Ultimately, we want to change the political culture: at the moment MPs don't see the arts as important simply because there are no votes in it. In the medium term, we want people to be able to make the connections between what they see at their local arts centre, the movies, the training of actors, art schools, urban planning, computer-game design."Lan added: "Ultimately, we want to change the political culture: at the moment MPs don't see the arts as important simply because there are no votes in it. In the medium term, we want people to be able to make the connections between what they see at their local arts centre, the movies, the training of actors, art schools, urban planning, computer-game design."
One of the priorities of the movement is to promote public investment in the arts, but it is also much broader than that, said Nicola Thorold, executive producer of the Roundhouse in London. "It's about what kind of a society, what kind of world we want to live in."One of the priorities of the movement is to promote public investment in the arts, but it is also much broader than that, said Nicola Thorold, executive producer of the Roundhouse in London. "It's about what kind of a society, what kind of world we want to live in."
The aim is that What Next? groups should spring up around the country, as has already happened in Manchester. The collective, as they describe themselves, is leaderless, and not allied to any political party, though their meetings have hosted politicians such as Miller and shadow culture secretary Harriet Harman as guests. Their conversation with education secretary Michael Gove, for example, is credited with being crucial in changing his thinking on the importance of cultural subjects in the school curriculum.The aim is that What Next? groups should spring up around the country, as has already happened in Manchester. The collective, as they describe themselves, is leaderless, and not allied to any political party, though their meetings have hosted politicians such as Miller and shadow culture secretary Harriet Harman as guests. Their conversation with education secretary Michael Gove, for example, is credited with being crucial in changing his thinking on the importance of cultural subjects in the school curriculum.
What Next? is different from previous attempts at lobbying for the arts in that it brings together leaders from all parts of the cultural world, including the commercial sector, education, heritage and creative industries. It is also, according to Spalding, "non-combative. We are not going to make a storm or be divisive, and that includes our relationships with politicians."What Next? is different from previous attempts at lobbying for the arts in that it brings together leaders from all parts of the cultural world, including the commercial sector, education, heritage and creative industries. It is also, according to Spalding, "non-combative. We are not going to make a storm or be divisive, and that includes our relationships with politicians."
It also aims to draw on the voices of the millions of people who enjoy British artistic life as audiences, amateur participants, volunteers or visitors.It also aims to draw on the voices of the millions of people who enjoy British artistic life as audiences, amateur participants, volunteers or visitors.
According to the movement's founding statement, "We believe that if we act together, we can maximise the effectiveness of our resources, our arguments, our ideas. True to the spirit with which we make and offer our art – imagination, persuasion, delight, generosity, conviction – we will find new ways to engage everyone in Britain in the power of the arts and culture and the benefits they bring to our collective and individual lives."According to the movement's founding statement, "We believe that if we act together, we can maximise the effectiveness of our resources, our arguments, our ideas. True to the spirit with which we make and offer our art – imagination, persuasion, delight, generosity, conviction – we will find new ways to engage everyone in Britain in the power of the arts and culture and the benefits they bring to our collective and individual lives."
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