Press Release - 2 March 2005

NCA presents evidence to the Culture Media and Sport Committee: arts development - theatre

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) yesterday took a panel of esteemed individuals to give evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee enquiry Arts development: theatre. The NCA's Chair, Joan Bakewell, Sir Peter Hall, Giles Croft, Artistic Director of the Nottingham Playhouse and SuAndi, Cultural Director of the Black Arts Alliance accompanied the NCA's Director, Victoria Todd, before the Committee, chaired by the Rt Hon Gerald Kaufman MP.

The NCA's evidence celebrated the vibrancy and talent in the country's theatre sector. It discussed the need to invest more in education and theatre, in particular in encouraging and supporting black and ethnic minorities in front of and behind the stage. The submission also praised the work being done in regional theatres, expressing the desire that recent investment be supported and the resulting flourishing of creativity allowed to continue to grow. To ensure that all this happens, the NCA argued, it is important that theatres and companies are given the financial security not only to allow them to take risks, put also to plan for the future.

Victoria Todd said: "It is essential that the theatre sector makes the most of opportunities like this inquiry to speak out about the fabulous work that is being done, and the potential, with education and access work, to bring theatre into the lives of so many more people."

Joan Bakewell said: "What is vital for the theatre sector is security of funding. Theatre in this country has benefited greatly from recent investment, this needs to be maintained to allow the sector to grow to its full potential."

Notes to editors

1. For further information please contact the NCA, Pegasus House, 37-43 Sackville Street, London W1S 3EH. Telephone: 020 7333 0375. Fax: 020 7333 0660. Website: www.artscampaign.org.uk

2. The NCA is the UK's only independent lobbying organisation representing all the arts. It provides a voice for the arts world in all its diversity. It seeks to safeguard, promote and develop the arts and win public and political recognition for the importance of the arts as a key element in our national culture.

3. The NCA's written submission can be found on the NCA's website - www.artscampaign.org.uk.

© NCA 2005

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