"If the Big Society means we aspire to create more civilised places where humanity prevails, and the individual spirit thrives, then artistic and cultural activity is not just indispensable, it must sit at the core, and national and local government must work together in one cause, " said former poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion today.
Against the backdrop of the call from national arts leaders for the government to recognise the damage overly severe cuts in arts funding could do, Motion, chair of the Museum, Libraries and Archive Council (MLA), said that pressure on local council budgets was probably an even greater threat to the country's cultural and artistic life.
"Government is asking - which public services are essential and how we can aspire to a bigger society? Cultural engagement is essential to humanity and civilisation and we all have a responsibility to ensure it thrives.
"Most of our country's population up and down the country rely on libraries, museums, exhibitions, record offices and performances, funded or part-funded by local government. Towns and cities stripped of books, arts, theatres and celebrations of our past and future would be a grave threat to a bigger, better society.
In this climate, it has never been more important to safeguard one nation whose heritage, culture and international excellence is more than the sum of its parts
"But we must recognise the pressure local councils are under to protect much more expensive services, ranging from road maintenance to care of children and the elderly. We are obliged to ensure that the benefits of the relatively small sums of funds that go on arts and culture are accurately targeted, spread wide, and act as a catalyst for creativity. In this climate, it has never been more important to safeguard one nation whose heritage, culture and international excellence is more than the sum of its parts.
"And all those of us who rely on public support, have a responsibility to rise to the challenge, tackle costs and do more with less; we need 'sharper investment in changing times', as the MLA has been arguing for months .
MLA chief exec Roy Clare added: "The future of museums, libraries and archives lies in the hands of leaders with the vision and imagination to think differently; to persuade local government and others with responsibility for arts and culture that investment in our sector is an opportunity not a cost.
"Those who are winning are those who are building ever-stronger partnerships between local and national government and with other players such as universities, independent museums, colleges and arts centres; the local high streets of England are where these partnerships need to work well on behalf of people and communities.
"The MLA exists as a source of impartial, independent advice; we believe in solutions that use money better, share expertise, join up services across boundaries, utilise new forms of governance and various sources of funding and free up institutions to work in innovative ways with a variety of partners and a mix of paid staff and volunteers. We believe that customer demand should lead; institutions and organisations need to adapt accordingly."
From Bubb's Blog
From Whitehall Watch
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