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Written question asked by Lord Freyberg (Crossbench) on Thursday, 17 November 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 December 2022. It was answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative) on Thursday, 1 December 2022 on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

English National Opera: Finance

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether Arts Council England discussed with English National Opera a plan of transition from their base in London, prior to their decision to withdraw all national programme funding from the organisation.

Answer

Decisions about which organisations to fund, and by how much, through its Investment Programme are taken by Arts Council England at arm’s length from His Majesty’s Government.

Arts Council England has a robust process to determine how funding decisions are made. The decisions were made in line with its published guidance and in response to its ten-year strategy, ‘Let’s Create’. Assessments were carried out by Arts Council England, and decisions were made by its Area and National Councils, which include both local representatives and people who work in the sector.

The London Coliseum is owned freehold by English National Opera and is not under public ownership or control. The property can be used according to the terms as set out in agreements between English National Opera and each of its funders. This includes Arts Council England.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3495
Session
2022-23
Related items
Opera
Friday, 16 December 2022
Written questions
House of Lords
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Finance English National Opera Arts Council England
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk