Sanders –Arts Council funding cuts threaten South West Arts Provision

Torbay MP, Adrian Sanders, a member of the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee, has   tabled a Parliamentary Motion calling on the Arts Council to commission a study into the impact of funding cuts on the arts in the South West.

Adrian tabled the motion, before the House rose for the Christmas recess, in response to the news that the Arts Council has decided to withdraw its £547,000 a year grant to the Exeter Northcott Theatre from April 2009.

The Northcott Theatre is the only producing theatre between Bristol and Plymouth and reopened only this week after £2.1m redevelopment programme. It is also estimated that up to 58 staff could lose their jobs if the cuts go ahead.  A final decision will be made on the 21st January 2008. 

Adrian commented

"Arts provision is  the South West already lacking, for the Arts Council to withdraw funding from one the regions few producing theatres is alarming, for it to be a theatre that has just been majorly renovated is just plain crazy. 

" I am calling on the Arts Council to commission a full study into the effects their cuts will have on arts  provision in the South West. If the Council are serious about promoting the Arts in this country they cannot possibility cut funding for a theatre that serves an area that, in the arts,  is woefully provided for"