What is the effect of the UK election on the classical music scene?
Fri, May 7 2010, 11:19AM
As I live in the Netherlands, I can not oversee the consequences of the UK elections on the British classical music scene. What will happen? Less funding? What will happen to educational programs? Does it have effect on coverage of classical music (Proms?).
Rolf
Sat, May 8 2010, 6:41PM
#2
The effect of the UK election on the classical music scene
Well, given that as we speak no-one really knows who'll be running the country next week, it may be a little early to consider the further-reaching implications of the election we have just had.
Mon, May 17 2010, 2:35PM
#3
the effect of the UK election on the classical music scene?
It looks as if the BBC's funding will be cut. This may impact on their orchestras, or on the concerts that they broadcast.
It's difficult to see the arts getting more funding.
P
Wed, May 19 2010, 12:35AM
#4
RE: What do UK elections mean to the BBC?
Fortunately for all of us, the BBC Trust is protected from political whim.
It's business as usual for the BBC Proms and BBC3. The link below provides the latest accountability information for BBC's 28 services.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/press_releases/may/service_licences.shtml
Not being British, I would wonder if there is the same divide in the UK between - as we call them in the U.S. - tax and spend liberals (in the US sense of the word) and tax-cutting conservatives. If there is, I would surmise that a conservative party in the U.S. mold would probably cut funding for the arts in general with a spillover effect on lower-profile orchestras. I don't know if there is the same degree of corporate philanthropy in the UK as in the U.S. or if greater part of arts funding comes from various sources of tax revenue. If such funding comes mainly from tax revenue, it could have a big impact on the classical music scene, squeezing orchestra budgets and resulting in less adventurous programming. I would have to see the UK go the way of the US. Does any one know if UK orchestras have a broad subscriber base and a degree of corporate philanthropy that could offset a drying up of subsidies for classical music?
A music lover currently living in the middle of nowhere.