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Claims of arts crisis 'almost laughable', says Maria Miller Claims of arts crisis 'almost laughable', says Maria Miller
(4 months later)
Suggestions that the arts are in crisis are almost laughable, according to Maria Miller, the culture secretary, who says she is frustrated by the arts world's apparent "perpetual gloom".Suggestions that the arts are in crisis are almost laughable, according to Maria Miller, the culture secretary, who says she is frustrated by the arts world's apparent "perpetual gloom".
Writing in the Guardian, Miller hits out against figures such as Sir Nicholas Hytner, director of the National Theatre, and Sir Nicholas Serota, the Tate director, who have warned that the arts are on a knife's edge because of a decline in funding.Writing in the Guardian, Miller hits out against figures such as Sir Nicholas Hytner, director of the National Theatre, and Sir Nicholas Serota, the Tate director, who have warned that the arts are on a knife's edge because of a decline in funding.
"Listening to some people you might be forgiven for thinking that the arts and culture in this country are about to breathe their last," she writes. "That tumbleweed is blowing down the aisles of our theatres and through our museums, and that the barbarians are at the gates."Listening to some people you might be forgiven for thinking that the arts and culture in this country are about to breathe their last," she writes. "That tumbleweed is blowing down the aisles of our theatres and through our museums, and that the barbarians are at the gates.
"It would be laughable if it weren't so dispiriting for all those who work in the arts, and the millions who enjoy them. The truth is that we are not returning to the dark ages.""It would be laughable if it weren't so dispiriting for all those who work in the arts, and the millions who enjoy them. The truth is that we are not returning to the dark ages."
Miller has come out fighting against criticism of her view of the arts as a "commodity" and a "compelling product" for export, a position set forth in her first major arts speech, at the British Museum in April. She argues that her baldly economic approach to the arts will be vindicated by next week's comprehensive spending review, when the arts are expected to take a 5% cut as part of an overall 8% cut for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).Miller has come out fighting against criticism of her view of the arts as a "commodity" and a "compelling product" for export, a position set forth in her first major arts speech, at the British Museum in April. She argues that her baldly economic approach to the arts will be vindicated by next week's comprehensive spending review, when the arts are expected to take a 5% cut as part of an overall 8% cut for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
"Ultimately, I have been able to protect [the arts] because the case was made and heard in economic terms," she writes. "Many have said that this argument shouldn't have to be made, and that in making it I undermine the artistic integrity of the arts. I simply don't believe that.""Ultimately, I have been able to protect [the arts] because the case was made and heard in economic terms," she writes. "Many have said that this argument shouldn't have to be made, and that in making it I undermine the artistic integrity of the arts. I simply don't believe that."
She also dismissed recent rumours that the DCMS was on the verge of being abolished. "My department is most emphatically here to stay," she writes.She also dismissed recent rumours that the DCMS was on the verge of being abolished. "My department is most emphatically here to stay," she writes.
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