Arts Council England responds to Wigmore Hall's withdrawal from public finding

Arts Council England (ACE) has today published an open letter from its chair, Sir Nicholas Serota. The letter, which is co-signed by members of National and Area Councils, addresses the decision of London venue Wigmore Hall to withdraw from ACE funding after a successful fundraising campaign.

The letter, published on the ACE website, congratulates Wigmore Hall artistic and executive director John Gilhooly on raising £10 million in one year, but states that the venue’s achievement ‘must not be used as an argument against public funding for culture’ when put in the context of the Hall’s location ‘in a wealthy part of central London’.

Serota writes: ‘We understand that Wigmore Hall based its decision no longer to take public funding in part on a dissatisfaction with our strategy, Let’s Create. It is our view that the principle that underpins this strategy – that everyone in this country, no matter what their background or where they come from, deserves access to the very best of creativity and culture in the places where they live and work – is both just and justifiable. Every audience member, every performer or artist, every child who dreams of growing up and earning a living from their creativity: all are deserving of the public provision of exceptional culture.’

Serota then defends the ACE’s Let’s Create strategy, writing: ‘We’re proud of our strategy, which was developed in consultation with the public, artists and the cultural sector, and which sets out a balanced commitment to inclusion and access, and to the support and realisation of ambition and artistic excellence. Since its launch in 2021, we have seen the way in which it has enhanced opportunities for people and communities across England. We will continue to champion it, and the creative individuals and organisations that sustain culture in this country.’

You can find the full open letter and list of signatories at the ACE website.