Arts Council places greater emphasis on diversity 9 Jan 2015
Arts Council places greater emphasis on diversity
In a speech which he described as the most important he had given as Chair of the Arts Council, Sir Peter Bazalgette said that from April 2015, it would become central for Arts Council funded organisations and major partner museums to serve the diverse communities which surround them.
Currently BME representation is 13% in the sector against a background of 15% of the population. There are fewer than one in ten BME managers. Sir Peter said progression is an issue: “For things to change, long term, they need to become more uncomfortable at the top. We have to open up access to power and to resources. Looking up, too many see the white cliff-face of the arts establishment and feel they just cannot climb it. We can’t give people creative talent. But we can and must give those with talent creative opportunities.”
From 2015 the Arts Council will:
- Publish and comment on the diversity data from national portfolio organisations and major partner museums
- Monitor and support NPOs to make sure their programming reflects the diversity of the country
- Use the data from the next few years to inform funding decisions in the 2018 round.