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Arts manifesto sets out the importance of our cultural economy

Britain’s cultural capital could be the saving of the economy and lead the recovery, according to a new alliance of leading arts and heritage organisations who have jointly launched a manifesto to make their point.

We have the largest cultural economy in the world relative to GDP, according to the document, Cultural Capital: A Manifesto for the Future, and every £1 invested in culture produces £2. Two thirds of the adult population in the UK enjoy the arts, visit historic sites and go to museums and galleries, and of the top ten UK visitor attractions, eight are national museums.

At the British Museum launch, the museum’s director, Neil MacGregor, said: “We want to give politicians the confidence to put on their CVs not what football team they support, but why life without Schubert is impossible.
“Culture works. This is a bit of national life that is extraordinarily efficient and effective. It is a huge employer and the economic activity it generates is ever more important. Culture gives us our place in the world; it reminds us what we are and what we could be.”

The document sets out to demonstrate that a fifteen-year period of investment has created a public appetite for culture that continues to grow, and that the arts, heritage, museums, libraries and archives make a strong contribution to the economic and social well being of Britain.

It argues that a reduction of public investment would make poor economic sense. As the eyes of the world are on Britain for the Olympics in 2012, sustained funding is essential if our cultural institutions and attractions are to create a lasting legacy of more people taking part and an enhanced international profile. The cultural sector can also make a real contribution to social and economic recovery through offering work, learning, training and social engagement.

The arts and heritage agencies have already contributed £2.2 billion from their National Lottery income to the London 2012 Olympics (the Heritage Lottery Fund is losing £161.2 million; the four arts councils and two film councils are losing another £161.2 million). And this year alone the cultural sector has made extensive contributions to public sector savings through the £20m cut to the overall DCMS grant-in-aid allocation announced in the 2009 budget. Over the last twelve years, English Heritage has lost £130m in grant-in-aid.

“All the more important during an economic downturn, the arts and culture have a new role and sense of purpose in society” said Nicholas Kenyon, managing director of the Barbican. “Whether you’re looking for inspiration, education or entertainment in these challenging times, the arts provide it.”

And Britain’s lead in putting the arts at the head of economic recovery is acknowledged abroad. “We don’t know how long this crises is going to last” said Jean Figuel, the EU commissioner for culture last year. “When it is over, those who have invested in creativity and innovation will find themselves well ahead of the pack.”