Spend more on art
I’m sure Cluny Macpherson, Regional Director of Arts Council England, is correct to say that Sheffield is unfortunate to be in Yorkshire as far as they are concerned.
It’s a pity he didn’t say this up front, then Sheffield need not have spent good money applying for funding they had no chance of getting.
York was an obvious candidate with its national museums so if it was a straight choice between Leeds and Sheffield, who would have put money on Sheffield to get funds?
As for the Arts Council’s aim of spreading the available money geographically; the whole area from Leeds to Birmingham, has essentially been snubbed while two organisations in North and West Yorkshire, just 25 miles apart have been given funding.
There is not one representative from South Yorkshire on the Yorkshire Council of the Arts Council. When you see the figures (£20.62 per head for Leeds, £4.62 for Sheffield), then you have to wonder at the bare-faced cheek of these people.
The Arts Council says its key priority is ‘achieving great art for everyone.
Sadly that appears to be everyone except the half million in Sheffield.
John Scholey, Clifford Rd, S11
during the Great Depression of the 1930s, President Roosevelt’s New Deal programme included funding, for the Works Project Administration, which included artists being paid to design and paint murals and easel-based artworks to decorate libraries, schools, colleges, bus terminals and similar. This was intended to raise morale by cultural pursuits.
The projects came to an end with World War II, when American industry was revived, and jobs became plentiful. In times of recession, cultural activities become even more important, which is why Pete McKee’s recent Pub Scrawl was so well received – congratulations to him.
I can only wish a speedy end to the Arts & Museums department’s difficulties and their splendid services are restores soon.
Steve Davis, S17
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Comments
There are 7 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Bytor
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11:26 AMIs'nt the Art Council just another Quango that this government are abolishing ?
Old Bean
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:45 PMLike other "unaccountable" organisations (e.g. FIFA), the Arts Council can make up any reason they like for spending other people's money. They can also faithfully follow the rules that they themselves have made up. The real scandal is that this system is so seldom challenged.
seenitall
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 11:16 AM'Dull but well run' was how a late 19th century writer commented upon Sheffield. The only thing that has changed is the last part.
Sir Taxedalot
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 09:03 AM#3. Oh yeah, it was Four Lions. Thanks. I'm just a thick northern monkey you see. I think the writer was looking to set the story in a place where people are stupid enough to be taken in by fundamentalism. He found it.
Sheffieldman
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 01:31 AMSir Taxedalot - it was 'FOUR Lions' you clearly haven't seen the film. Far from laughing at Sheffield people it's a satire about Islamic fundamentalist terrorism. I would have thought you'd have approved of that.
Sir Taxedalot
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 05:11 PMOur political leaders have spent generations developing the culture of the city to be ignorant, anti business and hostile to change. No surprise the rest of the country sees us a cultural backwater. You only have to look at films like Full Monty and Three Lions which paint us as thick northern monkeys. Which, let's face it, isn't far wrong.
seenitall
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 11:00 AMSadly, our City generally seems to be at the bottom of the lists when grants from Central funds are being allocated. Could one reason be that we are perceived, in some quarters, to be a worthless City of Philistines ?
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