In association with the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA), we are creating a forum of leading cultural figures from the UK’s cultural sector to help formulate plans to reenergise cultural funding from the private sector.
If you would like to be part of the Government’s debate on the economy and are a director, development director or trustee of an arts or cultural institution in England and a member of either Arts & Business or the NCA, then stand for candidacy. 20 posts are available, with 5 representatives each from small, medium, large and major organisations.
Put your name forward before Thursday 1 July. See below for details.
We will be asking members to vote from Wednesday 7 July. If elections do not create a representative panel, we will add 2-3 appointed representatives to address the balance.
What will the Culture Forum do and what is the role of a Forum Representative?
Culture Forum representatives will have a direct line to Government on the following issues:
• Growing the contribution from the private sector to invest in the cultural sector
• Feedback on the impact and effects of cuts to the arts sector
• Sharing insight into the strongest counter cuts arguments
• Acting as a key agent for an arts dialogue on the Government’s Big Society agenda
• Idea generation for innovative funding models, efficiencies and ways for the cultural sector to work with the private sector.
• Fine tuning Arts & Business’ Private Sector Policy for the Arts to increase cultural philanthropy
The Forum will meet in person three times before the Autumn (July, August and September) to feed into the Chancellor’s call for feedback and comments on policy as part of the Government’s ‘Big Conversation’.
A paper with the outcomes of each meeting will be delivered to the Chancellor, Secretary of State for Culture, Minister for Culture and senior officials as appropriate.
Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture and a senior official will be invited to attend a Q&A session as part of two of the Forum’s meetings.
The meetings will be held on:
Tuesday 27 July 2pm – 4pm Arts & Business, London, SE1 2NY
Tuesday 24 August 2pm – 4pm location tbc
Tuesday 21 September 2pm – 4pm location tbc
Candidates: Terms of Reference
• The successful nominees will want to represent the sector on key issues at a pivotal moment in post-war arts funding.
• They will combine local knowledge with a broad overview of the state of the arts.
• They will want to provide lively comment both in face to face to discussion and frequent on-line conversations.
• They will be energetically committed to the forum for one year.
• They will make themselves available to attend meetings on Tuesday 27 July, Tuesday 24 August and Tuesday 21 September.
• They will command the respect of the sector, share a spirit of enquiry and be prepared to think innovatively.
• They will retain a positive sense of opportunity throughout the potentially difficult months ahead.
We are expecting up to 40 candidates to stand for election.
How to apply
Candidates have 10 days to put their names forward before Thursday 1 July.
Download candidate form and guidelines here
Key Dates
• Close of nominations for Culture Forum representatives: Thursday 1 July
• Voting: 7 July - Friday 16 July
• Announcement of Representatives: 20 July
• Culture Forum meeting dates: Tuesday 27 July, Tuesday 24 August, Tuesday 21 September (all 2pm – 4pm)
The National Campaign for the Arts (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 NCA will also be consulting its membership nationwide and encouraging them to take part in the Chancellor’s big conversation. It will provide information on how arts organisations and artists can engage with the conversation on a local, regional and national basis and produce tools and materials for use.
In 2009 the NCA published its Manifesto for the Arts, its vision for the sector and the contribution it can make to the UK’s economic and social wellbeing.
Click here to read the manifesto.