In response to recent letters regarding the Arts Everywhere Fund, Arts Council England chair Nicholas Serota has clarified the fund's allocation, emphasizing that the programme was heavily oversubscribed, reflecting the acute need for capital investment across the cultural sector. He noted that further rounds of the fund are planned, with details to be published in the coming months.
Fund Allocation and Geographic Spread
Serota stated that while the Arts Council is always mindful of geographic spread, the fund's clear purpose was to prioritize organizations facing critical capital need. On that basis, the north of England received more than £40 million, approximately 31% of the £128 million awarded in total. This supported 45 museums, libraries, and cultural organizations, the highest number of awards made to any area.
Addressing Historic Imbalance
Arts Council England recognizes the historic imbalance in cultural funding and has been working to invest more outside London. Since 2022, investment beyond the capital has increased to approximately 70% of total investment. Barrow-in-Furness, cited in recent correspondence, is one of the priority places where the council is investing in local cultural infrastructure, including through organizations such as Full of Noises, a recent recipient of Arts Everywhere funding.
Serota concluded by stating that the council will continue to work to bring cultural excellence, opportunity, and investment to more places and more people.
Response to Christine Baranski's Critique
A separate letter from John Edmondson, a former employee of National Museums Liverpool and exhibitor at Kirkby Lonsdale book fair, responded to Christine Baranski's critique of Liverpool as a victim of arts funding cuts. Edmondson argued that Baranski's criticism felt harsh, noting that Tate Liverpool's closure is due to a costly redevelopment, and it retains a gallery hosted by the Royal Institute of British Architects on Mann Island, a good example of a London-based organization expanding its influence.
Edmondson also highlighted that preparations are advanced for a bigger and better slavery museum, with National Museums Liverpool directly grant-aided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, rather than competing for regional funding. He suggested that Liverpool lacks a vocal advocate like Michael Heseltine, whose interventions in the 1980s kickstarted the city region's revival as a cultural asset. Drawing on local knowledge, Edmondson disputed the description of Kirkby Lonsdale as "once vibrant," noting it recently revived its annual book fair, asserting its status as a magnet for bookworms.
