ARTS AND HERITAGE TO BE FREE FOR ALL ON-LINE

CULTURE Secretary Chris Smith set out his vision of a new, interactive future for culture and the arts in the UK.
Under plans that have been announced, users will be able to explore and interact with the UK’s national museum and gallery collections, films, music and stage performances.
Smith said: “The Government wants to see the best of our cultural heritage available to the widest number. In the future, people of all ages and backgrounds will be able to have full and free access to their heritage and their culture in digital form with proper explanations and links to related material.”
Culture Online (COL) will use the latest technology, the internet and other digital platforms, to present and explain culture and heritage as a key resource for schools and an ever-expanding reference work for everyone.
The project, which is a central part of the e-government strategy, is currently at the development stage with £5 million of funding to determine how to proceed. After development, further significant amounts could be available from the Capital Modernisation Fund to deliver the project.