Labour Peer Hodge to Lead Arts Council England Review

By Evans Momodu
3 minute read


Baroness Margaret Hodge, a Labour peer and former chair of the public accounts committee, is expected to lead a significant review of Arts Council England (ACE) under the direction of Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.

This comes amid growing tensions within the cultural sector over the allocation of public arts funding, particularly the perceived shift of resources from London to other regions.

Background and Purpose:

• The review will scrutinise ACE's use of its annual £445 million taxpayer-funded budget for the 2023-26 period, which has increased from £410 million in the previous cycle.
• The reallocation of funding from London, home to many prominent arts institutions, has sparked backlash from leading cultural figures.

Key Details:

• The review was initially planned in March, with Dame Mary Archer set to lead it, but was delayed due to the general election called by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
• Hodge’s appointment, expected to be confirmed before Christmas, signals a renewed focus on accountability and equitable distribution of arts funding.

Government and Sector Reactions:

• The Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) has not confirmed the appointment but stated that updates would be shared in due course.
• The inquiry is likely to draw intense scrutiny as it addresses the longstanding debate over regional versus metropolitan arts funding.

This review represents a pivotal moment for Arts Council England, as it navigates the competing demands of fostering regional arts development while supporting established cultural institutions in London.
Source: Sky news