Design organisations hit by Arts Council cuts

The cuts come as the Arts Council sets out its funding settlement for the next four years, following a £100m budget cut in last year’s Comprehensive Spending Review.

The Crafts Council has had its funding cut by 15 per cent over the next four years. Crafts Council chairwoman Joanna Foster says, ‘It is a decrease in our funds and it will have some effect on what we do, but we will ensure that we minimise the impact on the craft sector. We are already working hard to establish alternative sources of income and will continue to do so over the coming months.’

The LDF will see its funding cut by 11 per cent over the next four years.

Moving image festival Onedotzero and Design Initiative, which runs the Liverpool Design Festival, have lost their Arts Council funding completely.

Tara Badami, director of Design Initiative, says, ‘This is a huge blow to the organisation, but we look forward to engaging with Arts Council England and other funders and partners about the future for the craft and design sector regionally and nationally.’

Design Initiative says it intends to deliver the 2011 Liverpool Design Festival, bringing in more exhibitors and visitors.

North East festival Design Event and organisation Manchester Craft and Design will see their Arts Council funding stay at the same level.