Ve Interactive is a hot bed of creativity. Made up of people who have amazing artistic, design and even musical talents. And a crew who have plenty of passion and enthusiasm for live arts too. We are therefore lucky that being based in London, we are surrounded by the most vibrant artistic culture possible and we take that privilege and (often its influence), seriously. We have therefore joined The National Campaign for the Arts to help support their work in strengthening British arts. However did you know that the government is planning to slash arts funding by 25-30%? The arts are a major employer in this country, and they generate far more revenue than they cost to fund. In addition they are a major attraction for tourism in the UK. While cutting arts funding may save money in the short term, in the long run it risks undermining what has been one of the country’s most vibrant areas of growth over the past fifteen years, and destroying one of the national achievements that we should be most proud of. And whilst a 10% cut in these hard economic times could probably be weathered, double or triple will force many smaller arts organisations into closure.
Why does it matter?
Don’t get us wrong. We’re with German film-maker Werner Herzog when he ranted: “Quit your complaining. It’s not the world’s fault that you wanted to be an artist. It’s not the world’s job to enjoy (the films) you make, and it’s certainly not the world’s obligation to pay for your dreams. Nobody wants to hear it. Steal a camera if you have to, but stop whining and get back to work.” But equally don’t underestimate the value of the arts in their ability to integrate life, literacy and learning, as well as values and beliefs, a public education tool that challenges the intellect as much as being an avenue for relaxation and joy. Good lord, even George W. Bush recognised that “the study and appreciation of the arts and humanities serve as both the unifiying force in society and as a vehicle for self expression.”
So we can’t sit back and watch our national heritage struggle. And whilst we doubt that artistic motivation, entrepreneurship and enthusiasm in the arts will ever disappear and new commercial strategies for finding alternative funding may ingeniously spring up as a result, the arena in which the arts operate is already challenging enough.
So if you too value the arts in this country, then attend them, produce them and support this rallying cry! The new campaign I Value the Arts went live on 13th September 2010. Anyone who values their arts in the community is being asked to register their details on a new website: www.ivaluethearts.org.uk
About The National Campaign for the Arts
The NCA is the UK's only independent lobbying organisation representing all the arts. It provides a voice for the arts world in all its diversity. It seeks to safeguard, promote and develop the arts and win public and political recognition for the importance of the arts as a key element in our national culture. The organisation has three objectives:
Provide a united voice for the arts, especially for arts organisations across the UK and for all artists, staff and volunteers who work in the arts.
Campaign for better access to the arts, so that everyone in the UK has opportunities to experience the arts and to take part.
Campaign for adequate and sustainable levels of resources and support for the arts.
The NCA is a very small organisation with three full-time staff, but has a large and broad support across the arts sector.
To ensure its independence, the NCA does not receive any public subsidy. It is dependent on membership subscriptions and the generous support of individual and corporate patrons to carry out its vital lobbying and advocacy work.
Find out much more about what they do on NCA's website. http://www.artscampaign.org.uk/
