Margaret Hodge will oversee a review of regional inequalities in the arts after the Culture Secretary described parts of the UK as “cultural deserts”.
Sky News first reported a week ago Mr Hodge, who was appointed as the government's anti-corruption champion last week, will lead the review into Arts Council England, it is understood. It was originally announced by the Conservative government and was to be chaired by Mary Archer, but was shelved shortly after Labor won. General election.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the review was the first step in a journey to “restore people's connection to arts and culture in every region of the country”.
Nandi said: “Regardless of our background or where we live, we should all be able to experience the joy that comes from dance, theatre, music, museums and even borrowing a book from the library.
“For too long, only a privileged few in select regions of this country have had access to high-quality arts or believed that a career in the field was possible.
The original review was tasked with determining whether organizations could find 5% cost savings, as well as assessing the “ambition and quality” of the funded projects.
Mr Hodge's review focused on the lack of arts facilities and resources in some parts of the country that Mr Nandy mentioned. “Cultural desert”.
At a select committee hearing for the Department of Digital Culture, Nandi asked: “Is distribution through the Arts Council actually working? Does it need to change the way it operates, does it need to have more powers? We will consider it.'' Last week's media and sports.
She added that she had informed the Arts Council about the next round. national portfolio organization Funding should “do more to partner with local organizations to help fund what's already in the community and enable it to grow and expand.”
Mr Nandy has discussed the importance of a diverse cultural sector several times since his sudden appointment after shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire was defeated in the general election.
Last week she told the Guardian that the British television industry needed to diversify to survive and that only 8% of workers in the industry were from working-class backgrounds, adding that 15,000 He promised to “take parts of the National Art Collection out of the basement.” And to the community. ”
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She also said the Conservative Party's “violent indifference” to the arts was making it difficult for communities across the country to access culture.
Mr Hodge said: I am passionate about the rich contribution that the arts can make to all of us as individuals, to our communities and to our economies.
“I look forward to engaging with Arts Councils and a wide range of stakeholders across the country as we consider the challenges and opportunities facing Arts Councils.”
Hodge will be supported by an unconfirmed advisory panel, but the government has extended Nicholas Serota's term as council chairman by 18 months to “maintain stability” during the review process.
