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Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Answer

Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government Art Collection has spent on new works of art in each of the last 10 years; where each item purchased since 1997 is located; and whether each is accessible to the public. [217393] Estelle Morris: The following figures represent how much the Government Art Collection (GAC) has spent on works of art in the last 10 financial years and the current financial year. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. £ 1994-95 127,000 1995-96 83,000 1996-97 123,000 1997-98 137,000 1998-99 127,000 1999-2000 179,000 2000-01 135,000 2001-02 158,000 2002-03 253,600 2003-04 225,200 2004-051 110,500 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 includes purchases up to 15 February 2005 Some works of art have been purchased or commissioned by other Government Departments. A list of the current locations of works of art purchased since 1997 (as of 17 February 2005), and listed by Government Department and GAC, is provided in a separate document. I am arranging for copies of this document to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The Government Art Collection is part of DCMS; its acquisition policy is guided by the Advisory Committee on the GAC which is a non-departmental public body. Members are both independent and ex-officio, including the Directors of the National Galleries. The GAC plays a unique role in the UK in displaying works of art from its holdings in major Government buildings at home and abroad, in order to promote British art, culture and history. Due to the nature of Government buildings and current security issues, it is not possible for the general public to gain open access to most of the works on a daily basis. However, the buildings in which works of art are displayed--in reception rooms, entrance halls, Ministers' and Ambassadors' offices--all receive many thousands of visitors per year, all over the world. Members of the public may consult the GAC to see individual works of art. Additionally, many Government buildings in the UK (including the GAC's own premises) are accessible during the annual Open House Weekend. The GAC also gives regular tours throughout the year round its premises, lends works of art to public exhibitions, and operates a website www.gac.culture.gov.uk listing and illustrating all its original works of art. A growing number of historical and modern prints are being added to this.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

217393; 431 c1093-4W;431 c1089-90W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Access Artworks Expenditure Government departments Government Art Collection

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk