Campaign for the Arts is a

charitable organisation A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definition of a ch ...

in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

. It works to champion, defend and expand access to

the arts The arts are a very wide range of human practices of creative expression, storytelling and cultural participation. They encompass multiple diverse and plural modes of thinking, doing and being, in an extremely broad range of media. Both ...

and

culture Culture () is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups.Tyl ...

, for and with the public. As of 2022, Campaign for the Arts has over 250,000 registered supporters nationwide.

History

Campaign for the Arts launched on 24 October 2022. It was formed by the merger of the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) and Public Campaign for the Arts (PCA).

Background

In 1983, the Conservative government of

Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party (UK), Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. S ...

published a

white paper A white paper is a report or guide that informs readers concisely about a complex issue and presents the issuing body's philosophy on the matter. It is meant to help readers understand an issue, solve a problem, or make a decision. A white paper ...

proposing the abolition of the

Greater London Council The Greater London Council (GLC) was the top-tier local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986. It replaced the earlier London County Council (LCC) which had covered a much smaller area. The GLC was dissolved in 198 ...

(GLC) and six top-tier Metropolitan County Councils (MCCs). Arts figures warned that the changes "would radically alter the structures and levels of arts funding" and "could have irreparable consequences on the artistic life of this country". Representatives from more than 600 arts organisations assembled at The Old Vic in London on 11 December 1983, to prepare a "collective and independent response" and to "back the creation of a National Lobby for the Arts". The meeting was chaired by Joan Bakewell, and speakers included Tony Banks,

George Tremlett George William Tremlett (September 5, 1939 – October 30, 2021) was an English author, bookshop owner, and politician. Writing According to his own mini-biography, after leaving King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon Tremlett worked f ...

and Peter Hall. In June 1984, the National Lobby for the Arts (NLFA) formed a joint executive committee with the nascent

advocacy group Advocacy groups, also known as interest groups, special interest groups, lobbying groups or pressure groups use various forms of advocacy in order to influence public opinion and ultimately policy. They play an important role in the developm ...

British Arts Voice (BRAVO). The two organisations approved a merger in November 1984 to form the National Campaign for the Arts.

National Campaign for the Arts

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) was launched in London on 12 March 1985. Its first Director was Simon Crine, and its President was

Melvyn Bragg Melvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg, (born 6 October 1939), is an English broadcaster, author and parliamentarian. He is best known for his work with ITV as editor and presenter of ''The South Bank Show'' (1978–2010), and for the BBC Radio 4 documenta ...

. It was initially funded by six Founder Members: the

Association of British Orchestras The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) exists to support, promote and advance the interests and activities of professional orchestras in the United Kingdom. The organisation was founded in 1947 as the Orchestral Employers' Association, prima ...

, the British Actors' Equity Association, the Broadcasting and Entertainment Trades Alliance, the Musicians' Union, the

Society of West End Theatre The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is an umbrella organisation for West End theatre in London. Founded in 1908, as Society of West End Theatre Managers, then Society of West End Theatre in 1975, changing to its current name in 1994, the (SOLT) ...

and the

Theatrical Management Association UK Theatre (formerly the Theatrical Management Association) was founded in 1894 as the Theatrical Managers Association, with Sir Henry Irving as its first president. There are however records of the activity of a Theatrical Managers Association g ...

. The NCA’s first campaign was to urge local councils to maintain cultural funding.

Directors of the NCA

# Simon Crine (1985-1990) # Simon Mundy (1990-1993) # Jennifer Edwards (1993-1998) # Victoria Todd (1998-2006) # Louise de Winter (2006-2011) # Selina Mehra (''Acting Director'', 2011-2012) # Laura Willoughby (''Interim Director'', 2012)

Chairs of the NCA

# Stephen Remington (1985-1988) # David Pratley (1988-1992) # Richard Pulford (1992-1996) # Stewart Steven (1996-2004) # Joan Bakewell (2004-2010) # Kate Adie (2010-2011) # Richard Turner (''Acting Chair'', 2011-2012) # Samuel West (2012-2022)

Public Campaign for the Arts

The Public Campaign for the Arts (PCA) was launched on 18 June 2020. Its founding Director was Jack Gamble. When the effects of the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

threatened the UK’s cultural sector, 150,000 members of the public joined the PCA to urge the Government to deliver the Culture Recovery Fund. Their role was featured in Alan Yentob’s BBC documentary, ''

imagine Imagine may refer to: * Imagination Music Albums * ''Imagine'' (Armin van Buuren album), 2008 * ''Imagine'' (Eva Cassidy album), 2002 * ''Imagine'' (Janice Vidal album), 2012 * ''Imagine'' (John Lennon album), 1971 ** ''Imagine: John Lennon' ...

…We’ll Be Back''. In March 2021, Nottingham City Council reduced budget cuts to arts organisations from 37% to 15% following a campaign which involved over 3,500 local supporters of the Public Campaign for the Arts. In May 2021, over 160,000 people supported the PCA’s national campaign against cuts to arts and creative courses at

Higher education Higher education is tertiary education leading to award of an academic degree. Higher education, also called post-secondary education, third-level or tertiary education, is an optional final stage of formal learning that occurs after completi ...

level in England. In February 2022, the

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is a Royal Borough of Berkshire, in South East England. It is named after both the towns of Maidenhead and Windsor, the borough also covers the nearby towns of Ascot and Eton. It is home to Windsor Ca ...

abandoned a 100% cut to arts funding and approved a 17% increase, after a PCA campaign supported by

Russell Brand Russell Edward Brand (born 4 June 1975) is an English comedian and actor known for his flamboyant, loquacious style and manner. Brand has received three British Comedy Awards: Best Newcomer (2006), Best Live Stand-Up (2008), and the award for ...

Mark Watson Mark Andrew Watson (born 13 February 1980) is a British comedian and novelist. Early life Watson was born in Bristol to a Welsh mother and English father. He has younger twin sisters and a brother, Paul. He attended Bristol Grammar School, wh ...

Rachel Parris Rachel Sarah Parris (born 27 May 1984) is an English comedian, musician, actress and presenter. She hosts the satirical news show '' Late Night Mash'' (formerly ''The Mash Report''). Early life Parris attended Loughborough High School. She holds ...

Stephen K. Amos Stephen Kehinde Amos (born 3 December 1967) is a British stand-up comedian and television personality. A regular on the international comedy circuit, he is known for including his audience members during his shows. He began his career as a co ...

and former UK Prime Minister

Theresa May Theresa Mary May, Lady May (; née Brasier; born 1 October 1956) is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2016 to 2019. She previously served in David Cameron's cab ...

Organisation and governance

Campaign for the Arts is registered in England and Wales as a charity and a company limited by guarantee. It is governed by a Board of Trustees, of which the current Chair is Jack Haynes. The current Director and CEO is Jack Gamble.

Activities

Through its work, Campaign for the Arts aims to inform the public, express support and engage more and new people.

Hearts for the Arts awards

Campaign for the Arts delivers the annual ''Hearts for the Arts'' awards, recognising excellence in local authority support for the arts and culture.

Arts Map

Campaign for the Arts is developing a digital map of the UK’s arts and cultural organisations, called the ''Arts Map''.

Arts Index

Campaign for the Arts publishes the ''Arts Index'', a "health check for the arts" which assesses changes in key metrics.

References

External links

* * {{EW charity, 1079313 Arts in the United Kingdom Arts organisations based in the United Kingdom Cultural organisations based in the United Kingdom Charities based in the United Kingdom Cultural charities based in the United Kingdom Advocacy groups in the United Kingdom Organizations established in 2022 Internet-based activism Online petitions