Tessa Jowell Asks Londoners 'What Do YOU Want From The Arts In The Capital?'
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Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell last night asked key figures from the arts in London to let her know what they expected from the Government to support their work.
In a packed meeting at London's South Bank Centre, Tessa Jowell joined fellow London Cabinet Minister Paul Boateng and SBC Chief Michael Lynch to discuss how the London arts world could reach out to even more people.
She said:
"The arts in London are a runaway success story. Since 1997, visitor numbers to the national museums in London have soared by more than 60 per cent thanks to our policy of scrapping admission charges. Investment in the performing arts in London is to rise to £151 million next year. And Britain's film industry – centred in and around the Capital – is on a roll.
"But there are still a lot of Londoners who take virtually no part in this booming arts scene – either as spectators or participants. All too often they feel that it is 'not for them'.
The Secretary of State said that finding out why this was – and what could be done to make people feel that the arts were 'for them' – was a top priority for future action.
She concluded:
"Obviously not all the solutions can – or should – come from Government. But I think one of the clearest and, perhaps, simplest ways we might find solutions is by listening more before we act.
"I'm listening."
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