Press release - 12 July 2004

National Campaign for the Arts' welcomes Spending Review allocations for the DCMS

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) welcomes the Spending Review allocations for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport accompanied by calls for greater utilisation of arts in other areas of public life.

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) today expressed both pleasure and relief at the Chancellor's allocation of an increase of funding to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) worth 2.3% in real terms over the next three years, although this was tempered by the need to wait and see how this is allocated by the DCMS. The NCA welcomed the extra £200 million pounds as necessary to secure the large investments made by the Government in recent years, investment which should ensure the success of many exciting new projects, and recent renovation of established ones. The Chancellor's proposed extension of free entry into museums was also well received.

The NCA, and its National Directors' Forum have worked closely with the DCMS in the run up to this spending review to build a strong case for continued investment in the arts. The NCA is quick to point out that alongside the personal pleasure and enrichment that the arts offer, there is the proven beneficial role the arts has to play in all areas of people's life, especially education, health, neighbourhood renewal and the engagement of young people.

Victoria Todd, Director of the NCA said: 'While we are pleased with the Chancellors announcement, The arts has a huge amount to contribute to the Government's social agendas, contributions that give high returns on investment. It is essential that Government departments work together to ensure full advantage is made of this.'

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