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Press Release 08-June-2011 on Arts in an age of austerity PDF Print E-mail

Press release

08-June-2011

Valuing the arts in an age of austerity 

 

WITH the government promoting happiness and wellbeing while at the same time cutting funding to the arts, what is the role of culture in an age of austerity?

 

Many organisations have seen their grants by the Arts Council slashed and the arts in general are being told to deliver value for money.

 

The Manchester Salon has brought together two key speakers to address the issues surrounding this vital debate.

 

Dr Patricia Allmer is a research fellow in art history at Manchester  Metropolitan University and recently curated the sell-out Angels of Anarchy: Women Artists and Surrealism show at Manchester Art Gallery. Angus Kennedy is head of external relations at the Institute of Ideas and writes for Culture Wars among others.

 

They will be asking whether the arts deserve public funding and which arts in particular are more or less deserving: opera, theatre or local am dram groups.

 

With the battle for the arts now taken to the frontline of library closures, the question will be asked whether the arts are a luxury we can afford in these lean times. One UK playwright has even celebrated the new austerity in the arts, arguing that only the best will succeed and that great art is forged under difficult circumstances.

 

Date:  Tuesday 21 June, 7.30pm 

Venue: Shakespeare pub, Fountain Street, Manchester, M2 2AA.

There is a £5 charge to cover costs. Book in advance by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 June 2011 20:51
 
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