Last month, Secretary of State for Culture, Lisa Nandy, delivered the inaugural Jennie Lee Lecture, announcing a £270 million Arts Everywhere fund aimed at supporting venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector to address a “crumbling” cultural infrastructure, whilst ensuring that arts and culture are accessible to all – echoing Lee’s vision of “arts for everyone, everywhere.” In her speech, Ms Nandy reinforced what many in the visual arts sector already know: culture is not a luxury but an essential part of a thriving, fair, and confident society.

She also recognised the crucial role that artists and other creative practitioners play within the arts eco-system, reiterating that it was essential that they are properly remunerated for their work. Like CVAN, she believes that this interconnected eco-system needs to be strengthened and enhanced if the creative industries are to grow, and our artists and communities are to flourish.

It’s therefore more important now than ever for our sector to step up and ensure that the arts remain central to the government’s future plans. We need to work together with policymakers, the Treasury, and the local government to deliver a sustainable investment plan. Without this shift to long-term thinking, we risk securing a future in which the visual arts are fully recognised, valued, and funded at the level they deserve to be.

Paula Orrell, CVAN’s National Director:

“CVAN welcomes the announcements made by the Secretary of State, especially for our colleagues in the Museum sector. Greater cross-investment in artists and the broader infrastructure is essential, while sustained government support is crucial to fully understanding and strengthening artists’ journeys – from early career development to securing major exhibitions at national museums. A thriving visual arts ecosystem benefits the entire cultural landscape and must be a strategic priority.”

A detailed analysis of the Arts Everywhere fund is provided by the Campaign for the Arts here.