The current review of funding to all of Arts Council England's regularly funded organisations has set pulses racing. Much criticism has been levelled at the Arts Council, though there has been support from other, independent voices.
Far from "decimating" the arts, our funding proposals will see a significant increase in investment in the literature sector over the next three years.
As the national development agency for the arts, our aim for literature is to develop a portfolio of strong, thriving literature organisations with a national reach.
Additionally we recognise that literature works within a broader context, including the commercial publishing industry and statutory education, and our funding strategy is designed to complement rather than duplicate that. We are prioritising a number of areas, including poetry, the promotion of contemporary literature in translation, live literature, children and young people, and supporting reading through libraries and audience development.
We are also looking for regularly funded organisations that work to support the best in literature through being genuinely national/international in their reach and distribution, as well as effective, well-managed, forward-looking and offering good value for money.
Two organisations for which we propose increased funding are Tindal Street Press and Bloodaxe. A relative newcomer to our portfolio of regularly funded organisations, Tindal Street Press specialises in new voices from the English regions. In its short life, its authors have won many prizes and accolades. Bloodaxe Books is among the most important independent poetry publishers in the country, with an award-winning list that spans both homegrown talent and work in translation. Bloodaxe is renowned for its imaginative and adventurous approach to marketing, and its unstinting commitment to developing new audiences.
It is important to note as well that the literature sector also receives significant funding through the lottery-funded Grants for the Arts programme, with significant funding allocated to support translation programmes and creative marketing initiatives.
In fact, 50% of Arts Council England funding for literature in 06/07 was through Grants for the Arts. The remaining half was through the current hot topic - regular funding. In order to achieve our ambitions, we've had to take some tough decisions. Some organisations will be unhappy but the majority will have a stronger, better future. And we believe that as a result, in three years time literature - and indeed all arts in England - will be of even higher quality, and accessible to even more people, than they are now.
Responses to the proposals have now been received from organisations whose grants have been recommended for reduction or non-renewal, and our regional councils will take all such responses into account when making their final decision towards the end of this month.
A full list of decisions will be published in early February.
