Arts industry to play key role post-Brexit

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley has assured that Britain’s world-class museums, galleries and theatres will play a key role in promoting the country abroad post Brexit.

Meeting senior leaders from 12 representative organisations for the arts and culture sectors, government ministers, including Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Karen Bradley and Minister for Exiting the European Union Robin Walker, sought to find out the priorities of a wide range of sectors before negotiations to leave the EU begin.

The cultural sector, including museums, galleries, and arts, contributed £27 billion to the UK economy in 2015, making up 1.6 per cent of total UK GVA in that year.

Bradley said: “Arts, museums and heritage are not only a fundamental part of our national identity, they make a significant contribution to the UK both culturally and economically.

“We will continue to be an outward-looking country post-Brexit, and promoting our world-leading arts and culture will be hugely important as we champion the UK abroad in the coming months and years.

“This meeting, and the series of roundtables I am chairing attended by key representatives from our sectors, will help ensure they have a strong voice as we prepare for negotiations to exit the European Union.”

Walker added: “Leaving the European Union doesn’t mean we’re pulling up the drawbridge on the continent. What Brexit means is delivering the referendum result, and establishing a new, mutually beneficial relationship with the EU.

“The UK is the same outward-looking, globally-minded, flexible and dynamic country it are always been. I truly believe our world-class arts, museums and galleries will continue to flourish and attract visitors, talent and investment from around the globe after Brexit, and I was pleased to hear today that they are already thinking about the opportunities that this historic moment will bring.”

The 12 organisations were: Arts Council England; Heritage Lottery Fund; British Council; National Museums Directors’ Council; Museums Association; National Theatre; Royal Opera House; Science Museum Group; Association of British Orchestras; UK Theatre/Society of London Theatre; ONE Dance UK; and Association of Independent Museums.