Opera Room Caption: The Opera Room by Helen Ottaoway, Alistair Goolden, Deborah Thomas of Artmusic at the Phoenix Centre, Exeter Photo: Tim Cuff, Apex News Agency

Great art for everyone: a long-term plan for the arts and the Arts Council East Midlands June 2008 Catherine Bunting

A changing world the global balance of power is shifting our population will look very different in 2020 technology is developing at an ever-increasing pace consumers are more informed, demanding, engaged the cultural infrastructure is evolving

The arts policy context ongoing drive for public service reform new DCMS focus on excellence creative economy rising up the agenda a contentious Arts Council investment process public value: a longer-term view

About the arts debate major research programme to explore how people value the arts involved members of the public, artists, arts organisations and other stakeholders interviews, discussion groups, open consultation and deliberation

Arts debate findings The public value of the arts building capacity: self-expression, communication, understanding, challenge, broadening horizons enriching experience: colour, beauty, passion, emotion, fun, relaxation, escape powerful applications: bringing people together, linking communities, local identity, learning value stems from the individual experience

Arts debate findings Quality and innovation quality is an important but difficult concept can refer to experience, product or project experimental work can be alienating… …but people come to see innovation as critical -heightens the creative experience -about concept and process

Arts debate findings Barriers to engagement widespread concern about elitism and exclusion key obstacles are psychological: -intellectual nervousness -lack of confidence and peer pressure -fear of not fitting in -is it worth the risk? empowerment not access

Arts debate findings What people want from the Arts Council enable everyone to experience arts that enrich their lives powerful advocates with real visibility and voice focus on outcomes not institutions fairness, transparency and accountability ongoing dialogue and more involvement in decision-making

Arts Council plan Great art for everyone: the two sides of the coin taking part: a major public campaign to build awareness, enthusiasm and engagement with the arts world-class arts: fostering diversity and internationalism and building the capacity of arts organisations to excel

Arts Council plan Four development priorities building digital capacity working with children and young people and developing the cultural offer contributing to London 2012 strengthening the visual arts

Looking to the future An agenda for change at the Arts Council develop our ‘value framework’ – public purposes, outcomes and values involve a wider range of voices in decision- making through a comprehensive new strategy transform our approach to assessment, review and relationships invest in our people

Thank you