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Arts workers demonstrate outside DCMS

Around 300 demonstrators protested outside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport calling for a rethink on recent funding decisions that have left a number of arts and culture organisations in a precarious position.

Chris Sharratt
2 min read

Arts workers have demonstrated outside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) in London, calling for funding cuts to a range of organisations to be reversed.

The protest, organised by performers' union Equity, attracted around 300 people.

Demonstrators carrying placards and trade union banners called for a rethink of recently announced Arts Council England investment plans, and an overall increase in funding for the arts.

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Among the protestors were workers from English National Opera (ENO) including the company's Chair Harry Brünjes who has said ENO is under threat of closure due to ACE’s decision to stop funding it and suggest the 91-year-old company relocates outside London.

As well as members from trade unions including Equity, BECTU, the Musicians’ Union, the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain and PCS, also present was the actor and Equity member Juliet Stevenson, and Labour MP and former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell.

'Abandoning diverse audiences'

Paul Fleming, Equity General Secretary, said: “We’re rallying to tell DCMS the hard truth: they’re wrecking local economies, destroying good jobs, silencing innovative art, and abandoning diverse audiences.

“We’ll fight them, and those who use these cuts to reduce terms and conditions, with every tool we have. Enough is enough.”

Other speakers at the demonstration included Naomi Pohl, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union, who is also a member of the ENO orchestra.

The demonstration follows two events organised by Equity last week at ACE offices in London and Manchester that were attended by hundreds of Equity members and affected arts workers, with support from figures including Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, actress Maxine Peake and writer Ian Kershaw.

As part of the funding decisions announced by ACE, arts organisations including English National Opera, Donmar Warehouse, Oldham Coliseum, Hampstead Theatre, The Watermill, The Gate and Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme have been removed from the portfolio entirely. 

Last week ACE Chief Executive Darren Henley indicated that he has no intention of amending the settlement.