Broadcast exhibitions online to receive funding, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt tells art world

 

Arts bodies will have to broadcast performances and exhibitions live on a new digital arts “channel” in return for receiving government money, under a radical funding shake-up proposed by Jeremy Hunt.

The Culture Secretary urged organisations to embrace digital technology to reach a wider audience. Mr Hunt called for the creation of a new web-based arts channel and warned that future funding could be dependent on bodies making their work available digitally.

Mr Hunt did not say how the new channel would be funded but he promised that it would not be a traditional broadcaster which might challenge the BBC for licence-fee support.

The arts channel would be accessible through a set-top box streaming Internet Protocol television (IPTV). The plan was inspired by The Space, a pop-up digital arts channel set up by the Arts Council and the BBC, which lets viewers trawl through John Peel’s record collection or watch hip-hop dancing from Sadler’s Wells.

Speaking to an invited audience at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Mr Hunt said: “For too many cultural organisations technology is still about having a good website instead of a tool to boost artistic innovation, help fundraising and reach new audiences.

“But should we turn The Space into something more ambitious? Could we turn it into a permanent brand new digital arts channel with live performances every night of our finest cultural offerings?”

He then suggested: “Should we make it a condition of public funding that the recipients provide free of charge some of their content – whether from museum exhibitions, live performances or parts or our heritage – for a new digital arts channel? That way we can make sure that they reach more of the people who fund them through paying taxes.”

The minister, who has previously backed a new network of local TV services, said the new channel would not require a “levy”, like the BBC. He said: “I don’t think arts organisations will resist this at all because it’s part of their core mission to make sure that their output is seen by as many people as possible.”

Mr Hunt, who announced £65 million of endowment grants to arts and heritage organisations, also said it was “criminal” not to teach children “an appreciation of culture” and announced the publication of a national cultural education plan later this year.

It follows a review by Classic FM managing director Darren Henley that asked ministers to consider making it compulsory to study the arts up to the age of 16.

The awards, administered by the Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund included £5 million for the Old Vic Theatre to create an endowment which will secure its long-term future.

The Arts Council rejected Mr Hunt's suggestion that funding should be dependent on participating in the digital channel. An Arts Council England spokesman said: "Rather than make it a condition of funding, right now we need to illustrate the benefits to arts organisations of willingly embracing the opportunities that digital technology presents." The Council said it was in discussions with the BBC about making The Space a permanent web operation.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Top stories
News in pictures
World news in pictures
UK news in pictures
UK news in pictures
More stories
       
Independent
Travel Shop
Lake Como and the Bernina Express
Seven nights half-board from £749pp Find out more
Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian coast
Seven nights half-board from only £859pp Find out more
Prague city break
Three nights from only £199pp Find out more
 
Independent Dating
and  

By clicking 'Search' you
are agreeing to our
Terms of Use.

iJobs Job Widget
iJobs General

Commercial Refrigeration Engineers

TBC: Capital Refrigeration Services Ltd: Capital Refrigeration Services requir...

****Primary Key Stage 2 Teacher ****

£90 - £120 per day: Randstad Education Preston: We are currently recruiting fo...

Key Stage 1 Supply Teacher Blackpool

£90 - £120 per day: Randstad Education Preston: . Blackpool

Are you a dynamic Primary teacher looking for work in Bromley?

£5520 - £31200 per annum: Randstad Education London: If you are then please ap...

Day In a Page

Babies behind bars: A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail

Babies behind bars

A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail
Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm for under 25s

Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm

Is Mosquito, the alarm only under-25s can hear, a blessing or a bane?
The art of living in small spaces: Architects are learning how to make less, more

The art of living in small spaces

Space in cities at a premium so architects are learning how to make less, more...
Special report: The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

After four 'nice' years as Governor of Bank of England, things turned decisively nasty
Zombie nation: Our enduring fascination with a world full of death and destruction

Zombie nation: Our fascination with death and destruction

A new season of shows on Radio 4 is inspired by dark tales of future dystopias. Meanwhile, zombies are marauding in the multiplexes...
Martin Stephen: 'Ofsted says comprehensives are failing the most able but teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

It doesn't take a selective system to nurture the best minds, says a former head of St Paul's boys' school.
The retail empires strike back: Can new technology lure us back to the high street?

Can technology lure us back to the high street?

The high street has been bruised and battered by online firms but in-store technology is helping to enliven the retail experience...
The 10 Best new smartphones

The 10 Best new smartphones

Photos, films, music, apps and browsing - the latest mobiles can do it all
Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

McLaren man admits 'failed gamble' with car has left him pinning hopes on 2014 campaign
James Lawton: Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe

James Lawton

Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe
'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

The true effect of the badger cull

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

Steve Tongue

Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over