19. To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria were used in determining the withdrawal of Arts Council England funding from certain arts organisations. (182041)

The Arts Council operates at arm's length from Government, according to the criteria set out in their Royal Charter:

“to develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts (and) to increase accessibility of the arts to the public in England.”

In February 2007 the Arts Council said it would give particular priority to:

achieving a portfolio of effective and thriving organisations;

increasing engagement in the arts across the population;

delivering greater arts activity and presence in emerging priority places; and

delivering the recommendations of Turning Point, the Arts Council's strategic review of the visual arts sector.