What is excellence in the arts?

The Government has published a new report about the arts. Brian McMaster's report sets out a new vision for the arts in this country. The report is called 'Supporting Excellence in the Arts'. The report encourages every arts organisation, artist and practitioner to be as creatively ambitious as they can. I hope the will report spell the end to the phoney debate about 'arts' versus 'social inclusion'. The Government has recognised that this debate could only ever be about art and excellence.

The report comes at a good time for art + power. We are working with Arts Council England SW on a project to explore excellence in the arts. The project will consider how disabled people can help the Arts Council to assess the quality of the arts they fund. To do this we will be thinking about why we make art? Why it is important? and how can we judge if it is any good? We will be exploring these issues from the point of view of people currently excluded from the arts. I am delighted that the Government is encouraging arts organisations and funders to join us in this discussion.

In the report Brian McMaster claims that 'out of the society in which we live the greatest culture could grow, but this will only happen if the cultural sector is truly relevant to 21st century Britain and its audiences'. I'd like to invite you all to join with us and take up this challenge.

Please get in touch if you'd like to help with this project - or just reply to this post and tell us what you think makes art excellent.

I look forward to hearing from you.