Unions Join Forces On Lost Arts Web-Site

Unions are set to join forces to launch the Lost Arts website at 1pm on Wednesday June 15 in the Lecture Hall of Westminster Central Hall.
Lost Arts will record all of the projects, initiatives and organisations that will be lost due to the cuts in public funding for the Arts. The website will also keep a running total of the money lost to the Arts, the money lost to the Arts, the money lost to the Treasury and the number of jobs at risk.
The launch event will feature speakers including Shadow Secretary of State for Culture Ivan Lewis MP, actress Maggie Steed and John Smith, President of the Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU), as well as music from the Urban Soul Orchestra. It will be followed by a lobby of parliament.
The event is being run jointly by the Musicans' Union, Equity, the Writers' Guild, the NUJ, Bectu, Unite, Prospect and PCS.
John Smith, President of the FEU, said: "I'm delighted that we have been able to secure support for this important initiative from such a wide cross section of unions. Every £1 invested in the Arts produces £2 for the economy, and yet the Arts and Culture sector is currently suffering from disastrous Local Authority cuts, as well as the cuts that the Arts Council has had to make after its 30% cut from Government.
"The reality is that these cuts signal the start of the end for many organisations, and we want to make sure that these losses are documented. By keeping an account of the damage done on the Lost Arts website, we hop to win the argument for public funding of the Arts once and for all."
Christine Payne, Equity General Secretary, said: "Equity is proud to stand alongside other workers in the creative and cultural sector in the fight for our jobs and workplaces. Through the Lost Arts campaign we hope to educate the public and the Government about the vital contribution arts and culture make to our economy - and what is at risk if funding continues to be withdrawn."
(KMcA)