Birmingham citizens will experience, over the next few years, the biggest cuts to council spending in the local authority's history. We understand that funding is to be rolled back across the board, but from the council's most recent statement, no other industry will be gutted in the same way that ours will be.
Birmingham City Council will reduce its grants to Birmingham arts and cultural organisations to 50% this year, and cut them completely next year. They will slash the funding for Birmingham Heritage Week and Black History Month.
It's hard to comprehend the scale of impact that this will have on our artists and creative workers in every field, but it sends a clear message from the Council and Government Commissioners that arts, culture and the celebration of heritage is surplus to requirements, rather than a vital industry in all cities and the heart of our communities.
The Birmingham and West Midlands Equity Committee echoes messages from the Musicians Union and the TUC: why must our industry foot the bill for the failings of the council, not only at the detriment of our workers and the livelihoods, but the wellbeing of Birmingham residents and the identity of the city too?
Georgie Taylor, Chair, Equity Birmingham & West Midlands Branch
