Press Release

Mayor calls for fair funding for Black arts
25-1-2001   028

The Greater London Authority today called for greater capital funding to help develop and support the expansion of the Black arts and cultural sector in the capital.

The GLA called for the support for four leading projects, the Rich Mix Centre in Tower Hamlets, the Stephen Lawrence Technocentre in Deptford, the Bernie Grant Centre for performing arts in Tottenham and the Talawa Theatre Company in Westminster.

Lee Jasper, the Mayor's advisor on equalities, commented;

"London is home to nearly half of the country's minority ethnic population, 80% of which is of Black or of South Asian origin, yet this sector has been consistently ignored, whilst suffering from the disadvantages of high unemployment and poverty.

"This is as true in the cultural sector, where Arts Council data shows that Black-led projects received less than 0.2% of the £1billion of Lottery investment in arts buildings between 1995 and 2000.

"The creative industry is a fast growing sector of the economy and a vital area of career opportunity for young people. Investment in these venues will create greater access for young Black people across London, ensuring that creativity is unlocked in disadvantaged, marginalised and minority ethnic communities. The venues will create jobs, training and skills development as well as providing sustained growth and regeneration for London's Black and Asian communities."

The Arts Council and Millennium Commission have already earmarked £20million each for capital developments from Black and minority ethnic groups. The London Development Agency and others have also identified the need to build and strengthen the infrastructure for Black and minority ethnic businesses. The GLA is working to ensure that these commitments are transformed into achievable projects.

Notes to Editors

1. Creative industries showed a 34% increase in workforce numbers over the 1980s and 1990s, with more than 50% aged under 35. Government predicts these industries will be the fastest growing source of new jobs between 1998 and 2006.
2. As part of the process of delivering these centres, the GLA will seek early commitments from lottery funders to ring fence money for these projects, which fits with their priorities for funding in the Capital.
   
3. GLA support for the four venues will include involvement in the following areas
   · Liaison with relevant public funding bodies
   · Project development and planning
   · Project advocacy
   · Commercial fundraising and business sponsorship
   · Initiation of new partnerships and strategic alliances in relation to Black Arts capital development
   · Long term financial planning and capacity strengthening. Ensuring that the problems that have beset many lottery funded projects are not repeated by minimising areas of risk through proper business and project planning practices
   · Assisting the development of programmes in these new centres that focus on the delivery of education and training opportunities to young people in the arts and cultural industries
   
4. These four arts and cultural centres will act as a hub for a network of cultural and community
   development activities, aimed at increasing education, training, jobs and other opportunities for
   young Black people in the cultural and other sectors.
   
5. The centres will be mixed in terms of arts and cultural practice and will themselves be Black-led. They will also have at their core a clear focus and commitment to education and training.

   For general or non media enquiries, please contact the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, Romney House, Marsham Street, London SW1P 3PY. Tel: 020 7983 4100
   
   For media enquiries, please contact: Press Office, Greater London Authority, Romney House, Marsham Street, London SW1P 3PY. Tel: 020 7983 4070

Terms and conditions

Accessibility

Privacy 

Freedom of information