LONDON.- The National Campaign for the Arts 2013 Arts Index, recording significant changes in the arts in England, was published last week in association with The Guardian. Link to the full report: ncaartsindex.co.uk

The key findings of the Index are:

Participation
Despite the tough economic climate, there has been a 2% increase in the number of adults attending an arts event. The proportion of the adult population participating in the arts and reporting that experience as high quality has grown by 7% and 5% respectively.

Funding
The way the arts are funded in this country is changing, particularly in the mixture of private and public support the arts receive:

· Contributions from Trusts and Foundations are up 18% in real terms

· Lottery funding is up 17%

· Treasury funding is down 21%

· Local Government funding is down 16%

· Business contributions to the arts are down 11%

Local government funding for the arts per person has fallen in real terms by 19% in the last three years, a proportion much greater than the overall savings local authorities have been asked to make.

Since the current Government has refocused Lottery spending on the original good causes, investment in the arts has gone up. The increase in lottery funding is to some extent making up for the shortfall in Local and Central Government grants.

The Arts Council’s attitude to Lottery funding is also changing. Their challenge in the past has been to maintain the principle of additionality. But recent reductions in Treasury funding have brought significant changes and as a result, some Arts Council National Portfolio Organisations may become wholly supported by Lottery funds.

Business contributions, despite government initiatives, continue to fall: over 30% in real terms over the last five years. Trusts and Foundations have made up some of the shortfall, but there is some doubt that this is sustainable given pressure on the value of investments.

Samuel West, Chair of the NCA, said: “The NCA believes the best way to maintain a thriving, profitable, world-renowned arts industry is stable support. Planning for the future becomes impossible if funds are constantly under threat. We are approaching an election. We would like the Arts Index to inspire debate. We want to begin a conversation about the whole way the arts are funded.”