These cuts amount to 66% over two years, leaving only a mere £12,000 for all the local arts organisations to use for their social/community arts projects in the Taunton Deane area – one of which being Take Art’s hugely successful rural touring scheme which has been running for 25 years and is widely considered to be one of the most diverse, artistically strong and influential in the UK.
This year alone Take Art has worked with 10 communities in Taunton Deane to put on high quality shows in local venues. These include Appley, Ashbrittle, Bishops Lydeard, Churchinford, Hatch Beauchamp, Neroche & Bickenhall, Stoke St Gregory, Stoke St Mary, Wellington and Wiveliscombe. The money we receive from the District Council’s small arts grant is vital to making this happen.
Last year due to 100% arts cuts in County Council and Mendip District funding, Take Art had to reduce its rural touring scheme by 50% across the whole county, with no shows in Mendip at all. With further cuts from the District Councils these numbers will only shrink and rural touring in the county will be under threat of survival.
With local authority support we will be holding a youth dance platform at the Tacchi Morris Art Centre in Monkton Heathfield, involving over 300 young people. We are working in the Acorns and Hollies children’s centres in the Taunton area with under 5’s and their families and carers; and we are delivering a dance project involving frail elderly participants in Wellington and Taunton, which was also made possible with a £29,000 grant from the Baring Foundation.
Ralph Lister, the Chief Executive of Take Art said, “Cutting the arts budget by another 40% next year would be short-sighted and would further destabilise Take Art and other arts organisations. We passionately believe in a cultural entitlement for all, whether people live in Taunton or outlying villages. We believe that entitlement should also extend to the frail elderly, the under 5’s in disadvantaged parts of Taunton and children and young people. We hope that the full council decides to reinstate the proposed cut in the budget.”
The proposal to cut the small arts grant in Taunton Deane will be made next Tuesday 21st February at a public meeting at Taunton Deane Borough Council offices at 6.30pm
ENDS
Note for Editors:
Press contact: Louise Monks 01460 249450, louise@takeart.org
To request a CD of images please contact Louise Monks. www.takeart.org