News / Arts
Council arts cuts would cause ‘significant damage’
The closure of Bristol City Council’s Cultural Investment Programme is estimated to save £635,000 by 2027.
But performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity say that this and other cuts to the authority’s cultural offer will “inflict significant damage”.
Current recipients of CIP funding include Knowle West Fest; East Bristol Eco-Crafters based in Lawrence Hill; and Scribble & Sketch sessions taking place in Easton, Hartcliffe, Redcliffe and Southmead.
is needed now More than ever
Proposals due to be decided by a cross-party group of councillors could also lead to the closure of Blaise Museum, the Georgian House and the Red Lodge, as well as reducing the opening hours of Bristol Archives.
Other proposed cuts include to lollipop patrols outside schools, a reduction in rubbish collections and charging for parking on the Downs, all in order to save £52m from council coffers over the next five years.
Yoko Ono held an exhibition at the Georgian House in 2019 – photo: Ellie Pipe
Equity president Lynda Rooke, who lives in Bristol, said: “These cuts would be a disaster for Bristol and inflict significant damage on the local economy.
“Bristol is known as a city of culture, with thousands of jobs based in creative industries and people moving here or visiting for the unique cultural offering available.
“Local authority funding is worth more than any other source, including from the Arts Council, and once lost it never appears from other sources, however much the council may wish it to.
“We’re asking Bristol City Council to drop plans for cutting culture funding.
“Culture cuts would have a detrimental impact both economically and socially, cutting off Bristol’s nose to spite her face.”
Recent beneficiaries of the city council’s Cultural Investment Programme include St Paul’s Carnival, Mayfest, Bristol Pride, Travelling Light Theatre Company and dozens of small community arts projects – photo: Paul Blakemore
Council leader Tony Dyer has previously warned that Bristol City Council will face bankruptcy if cuts are not made, stressing that “it will not be an easy budget to set” but it will be “empowering both elected members and staff to take responsibility for spending decisions”.
Dyer said: “This will not be a perfect or painless process. With the challenges we face it was never going to be.
“We will be doing our best to be careful with our finances, to make decisions that support and protect the most vulnerable people, to listen to all views and work together on our services, and to invest in a city which needs a lot of human and environmental resilience to face its challenges and make the most of its opportunities.”
Main photo: Knowle West Fest
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