APDIG: Understanding the Importance of Arts and Design Recovery Post COVID-19 Roundtable

16:00 - 17:30

The All Party Parliamentary Design and Innovation Group is hosting a roundtable on the importance of Arts and design for covid-19 recovery, chaired by Barry Sheerman MP. 

This event is arranged at a critical time not only as we begin to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, but also due to the potential changes to higher education funding being proposed by OFS, which see almost a 50% reduction in this spending. From this event, we aim to gain a consensus around the growth opportunities the Arts sector presents and to determine key recommendations for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to take forward.

 

We look forward to hearing from our speakers: 

Barry Sheerman MP (Lab) - MP for Huddersfield and Chair of the APDIG 

Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Con) - Former minister for DCMS 

Sarah Munro - Director of the BALTIC and Chair of Contemporary Visual Arts Network

Steven Spier - Vice Chancellor of Kingston University 
 

The Discussion will also centre around these questions: 

  1. What is the most critical issue faced by the arts and design sector in its recovery from COVID-19 crisis? How can we get government to recognise these challenges and support the work of the sector during its recovery?  
  2. If the government is unable to provide increased or further funding, what other support can the government provide for this issue?
  3. What are the ways the sector can best mobilise to put pressure on the government to provide greater support, especially in times of crisis when they attempt to deprioritise the sector?
     

The work of the arts and design sector has been halted by the COVID-19 pandemic in many ways. Surveys over the past year have found many artists and artist organisations expecting to lose at least half of their income, with only a select few being able to withstand and continue in spite of the limitations put forward by the pandemic. These creative industries are at the heart of the UK’s competitive advantage and represent a major strategic opportunity that is being undervalued (Brexit CE ref). 

If you are interested in attending this event, please email floriane.fidegnon [at] policyconnect.org.uk