Darren Henley, CEO of Arts Council England (ACE), affirmed the intrinsic value of classical music and opera to the arts, despite facing criticism from industry leaders like John Gilhooly of Wigmore Hall. Gilhooly announced that Wigmore would forgo public funding by 2026, highlighting their financial independence through substantial donations. He praised ACE's initial support but noted concerns regarding its evaluation methods under the 'Let's Create' strategy, which treats community and elite performances equally. Furthermore, he lamented the decline of music education in schools compared to past decades, calling for urgent enhancement in arts education provision.
Classical music and opera are essential to the arts, and despite criticisms, Arts Council England remains a crucial investment source for these genres.
Darren Henley reassured classical music supporters that ACE's investment is vital, maintaining commitment to ensure the arts thrive for all communities.
John Gilhooly expressed concerns over ACE's strategy, arguing it evaluates community events and elite artists using the same standards, which undermines classical music support.
Gilhooly highlighted the crisis in music education, lamenting that schools now lack proper music programs, which were abundant in earlier decades.
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