£2.3m Arts Funding Shortfall

Funding for Jersey's culture, arts and heritage is 'strikingly low'.

An independent review says there has been a shortfall of £2.3 million since 2010.

The BOP Consulting report says government spends just £46 per person on culture, compared to £79 in the Isle of Man and £96  - almost double - on the Isle of Wight. 

20 recommendations have been made including committing to more 'realistic investment', establishing a new 'Culture cabinet' to work more closely between arts organisations and the government and making culture, arts, and heritage a part of any future development plans for the island.

If the government acts on them, it'll mean a departure from the current "arm's length" approach taken towards the sector. The report says it's time for the States to deal with cultural organisations:

"This is a critical moment in which to strike a new relationship based on trust and respect - without which there is a danger of failing to make the most of Jersey's unique and distinguished culture, arts and heritage which would be to the detriment of the Island and its people."

Funding for the likes of the Opera House, Arts Centre and Jersey Heritage hasn't kept pace with the cost of living and is worth £500,000 a year less now than eight years ago.

In 2016, the States paid just 0.68% of its annual expenditure towards culture, arts, and heritage. That's compared to 2.5% in Iceland and a 1% average in EU countries.

Government spending on culture. Source: BOP Consulting analysis of Eurostat data.

The report goes on to say there's a "real risk of failures" with few other sources of funding available to venues and attractions. It warns the government that any reduction in investment would likely lead to the closure of either the Opera House or Arts Centre and a resultant "public outcry".

However, the review also praises the island for "punching above its weight", despite a lack of resources.

The Assistant Minister responsible for Culture, Deputy Montfort Tadier, says that praise is down to the hard-working teams at arts and heritage organisations:

"It's a testament to their professionalism and their talents. We have people who are very passionate about the arts and about culture in Jersey. They work very hard, often putting in extra hours, but there comes a point when there's a straw that breaks the camel's back and I think because there have been so many freezes to their funding over many years, they're at a point now where they're struggling. We want to make sure they have enough that they can just focus on their programmes without having to worry about unnecessary bureaucracy or hardship."

Assistant Economic Development Minister, Deputy Montfort Tadier, oversees culture in the island.

The Deputy says discussions have already begun between the States and the sector in forming the Culture Cabinet recommended by the review.

He hopes other politicians realise what the sector does for the island:

"I think there's a growing awareness of the fact that arts, culture, and heritage bring in money, but also they're much more important than that. It's all about the well-being and soul of the island, so I think that understanding is growing among politicians."

The review will form the basis for a future Strategic Plan to ensure arts and culture can thrive.

You can read the full report on the States of Jersey website.