“I believe I can do something. I can change the community, the country. I am an artist”. (Addisu Demisse, principal dancer, DESTINO, previously a street child in Addis Ababa)
“if we’re to see sustainable economic growth in the years ahead, the creative industries will have to play a leading role.” - George Osborne, 2009
This is not about crystal skulls or unmade beds, and this is not about choosing between a pretty picture or a fire engine and local hospital. The arts are at the heart of our culture, our communities, and our economy. On an investment of only 7p per £100 of public spending, the arts play a key role in tourism, education, cultural accountability and community cohesion. Put simply, the arts help earn the money to buy the local hospitals and fire engines.
We reject the idea that immediate and across the board cuts will solve the problem of the deficit. Vital areas like science, green industries, preventative health care, education and the creative industries should be invested in. This is essential for us to emerge from the global recession a healthy, independent, inventive and educated world leader.
There are two arguments for saving the arts 1) the economic, and 2) the social benefit; we believe that both are important. This is why we’ve made this site. For links to all the evidence and arguments, what other people have to say, and what action you can take, click on the links across the top of the page.
