Sajid Javid: what lies ahead for the new culture secretary?
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Version 0 of 1. The resignation of Maria Miller and the appointment of Sajid Javid leaves several possibilities open for DCMS. Miller had done very well on parts of policy that DCMS was responsible for, including equal marriage, but had faced criticism on some of the core policy areas, including the arts. Indeed, there was somewhat of a drift in arts policy, which under Miller's tenure did not seem to have a clear purpose or function, aside from deficit reduction. While Javid will only be in the role for a year before the election this should not be an argument for stasis. DCMS presents a fascinating opportunity for Javid to make a mark as both a competent minister and to the broader themes of deficit and growth that have dominated the coalition's time in office. His background in banking and at the Treasury suggests there may be some innovative thinking in cultural policy, particularly in reference to the economic aspects of culture, which has been almost wholly absent in recent years. Obviously there will be major issues to confront as the next round of Arts Council England (ACE) funding is decided. Inevitably there will be political fallout as funding reductions will lead to reductions in the number and variety of arts organisations receiving investment from ACE. This may represent the first challenge for the new minster – a challenge that will be concurrent with the recent Culture Media and Sport (CMS) select committee work on the regional aspects of arts funding. The CMS report and an overly metropolitan focus of ACE funds on the "crown jewels" of London's art scene may well demand that Javid comments on both DCMS' vision for regional arts policy and the continued viability of ACE's arm's length principle that absolves DCMS responsibility for the clear funding inequalities in England. This is to say nothing of the issues associated with media policy in the post-Leveson era. The opportunities once these potential pitfalls are crossed centre around the emergence of a new agenda for the creative industries (pdf) that has so far been driven by DCMS bureaucracy and organisations such as NESTA. Working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to establish the creative industries as a priority sector for economic growth and development (or industrial policy as such activities used to be known) would help to build in the "creative intensity" model of understanding the economic role of the creative industries recently adopted by DCMS. While creative industries policy is unlikely to win votes on the doorstep directly, it must contribute to the vision of the British economy offered at the next election. The march of the makers was, at very best, uneven under the coalition; the rebalancing sought by Osborne failed to materialise. The creative industries are something Britain is clearly good at and one would hope someone with Treasury experience and networks could push this agenda further as manifestos are written. However these opportunities will require Javid to address the fundamental problem facing DCMS: it has no clear and coherent cultural policy. While delivering the London 2012 Olympic Games, encouraging philanthropy and developing the local cultural infrastructure associated with broadband and television were specific policy aims, there has been little to indicate a grand vision coming from ministers. The overriding function of cultural policy under the coalition was folded into deficit reduction, whether via cuts or by contributing to growth. The lack of coherent cultural policy is something with which Britain has traditionally struggled, irrespective of the party in government. Javid could make a lasting mark on DCMS and on culture in the UK by addressing this point. To do so will require a vision of what culture is for and what the function of cultural policy will be. This would do much to clarify the future of funding as well as the potential for culture to contribute to economic growth. Dave O'Brien is lecturer in cultural and creative industries at City University, London – follow him on Twitter @DrDaveOBrien Join our community of arts, culture and creative professionals by signing up free to the Guardian Culture Pros Network. |