Arts Councils

The DCMS's responsibilities are carried out with Arts Councils in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Arts Council England (ACE) works through nine regional offices and is the national development agency for the arts in England. It is responsible for distributing public money from the Government (which it receives from DCMS) and the National Lottery, to artists and arts organisations. Between 2005 and 2008 ACE will invest £1.7 billion in the arts. Arts councils also provide information and advice and commission research.

The Scottish Arts Council, Arts Council of Wales and Arts Council of Northern Ireland have similar remits and aims.