In an open letter, leaders from the arts sector have told the government that if the proposed 50% cuts to arts subjects at universities go ahead, the country’s position as a cultural leader will be at risk. It would include courses – including music, dance, drama and performing arts; art and design; media studies; and archaeology. After consulting the Office for Students (OfS) and the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, these courses were deemed to not be “strategic priorities”.
“The letter - organised by the Contemporary Visual Arts Network and signed by 300 art world figures, including Sonia Boyce and the directors of all four Tate locations – said the plan to halve the amount spent on some arts subjects was a “strategic misstep”,” The Guardian reported.
The letter reads: “The current proposal may limit the availability and accessibility of places on arts courses and result in fewer courses being offered...This will have a detrimental impact on our ability to retain our world leading position, attract inward investment through our cultural capital and our share of the global art market.”
The letter contradicted the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport strategy.
