Dance Mapping - Arts Council England

examine instead a range of funding possibilities, with some bodies on longer term
arrangements than now, and some on more flexible, shorter term arrangements.’
• The emphasis on new audiences and creating great art for everyone brings a
particular set of opportunities to the dance field. The fact that many more people
participate in dance than attend performances is critical in this context and as a field
dance will need to rise to this challenge and ensure that we present and
communicate dance in new ways ensuring that its value is evident to all.
Organisational review
In February 2009 Arts Council England also announced proposals for an organisational
review that would create an organisation ‘designed to provide a better focused service to arts
organisations’.
The plans create:
• a smaller executive board that is strategically focused to provide a clear national
overview, informed by a sound understanding of what is happening across the
country, providing a strong sense of direction, and able to make quicker decisions
• a single and joined-up organisation, which is confident and ambitious and shares
knowledge both internally and externally and a culture that moves away from the
perceived tension between national and regional agendas
• greater clarity than at present for artists, arts organisations and partners on the roles
of the different parts of Arts Council England, showing clear points of contact
• staff that are clearer about what is expected of them, empowered to deliver and are
rewarded appropriately
• a more focused advocacy and communications team that will give a stronger and
more coherent voice externally
• simpler, more cost-effective processes.
Taken together the plans deliver an administrative saving of £6.5 million annually from 2010–
11 to go back into the arts.
The key elements of the proposal are as follows:
• a smaller head office – focused on strategy and support to frontline staff
• nine regional offices – smaller and more focused on frontline delivery, working with the
organisations we fund, artists and other key partners
• regional offices grouped under four area executive directors – with a strong senior
management team to streamline internal processes and encourage knowledge sharing
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