New ACE History Book Draws Criticism for Omitting Funding Crises
The recently released book, Made in England: Art and Culture in Changing Times, edited by Sarah Crown, Martin Prendergast, and Nicholas Serota, commemorates the eight decades since the establishment of Arts Council England (ACE) in 1946. As Nicholas Serota steps down as chairman, the publication faces criticism for overlooking ACE's contemporary challenges. Reviewer Robert Hewison points out the omission of significant issues such as the downfall of the Regional Arts Boards and budget reductions. Contributors emphasize that the UK is among the lowest in arts funding, with dwindling audiences and poor library management. Amanda Parker highlights the insufficient support for minority-led organizations, while Unlimited director Jo Verrent criticizes the neglect of disabled artists. The book was published on 7 July by Comma Publishing/Arts Council England.
Key facts
- Made in England: Art and Culture in Changing Times is published 7 July by Comma Publishing/Arts Council England at £12.99, 222pp
- Arts Council England was established in 1946 as the Arts Council of Great Britain
- Nicholas Serota leaves the ACE chairmanship after nine years and wrote the book's introduction
- ACE distributes roughly £1bn annually
- The UK ranks second only to Greece at the bottom of the European arts funding league
- ACE lost a third of its funding after 2010 and abandoned its 'Let's Create' strategy following Margaret Hodge's 2025 report
- Under 3% of National Portfolio funding between 2010 and 2020 went to Black, Asian or minority-led groups
- 25% of the British population has some form of disability, per Unlimited director Jo Verrent
- Darren Henley has been ACE chief executive since 2015
Entities
Artists
- Nicholas Serota
- Nadine Dorries
- Margaret Hodge
- Carlos Acosta
- Bobby Seagull
- Jacqui O'Hanlon
- Amanda Parker
- Naseem Khan
- Jo Verrent
- Nigel Higgins
- Darren Henley
- Sarah Crown
- Martin Prendergast
- Robert Hewison
Institutions
- Arts Council England
- Arts Council of Great Britain
- Regional Arts Boards
- National Lottery
- Birmingham Royal Ballet
- National Numeracy
- Royal Shakespeare Company
- Unlimited
- Barclays
- Comma Publishing
- The Art Newspaper
Locations
- United Kingdom
- Greece
- England