Where to next for diversity? An assessment of Arts Council England's race equality and cultural diversity policies and emerging trends

Abstract

This paper examines the role that Arts Council England (ACE) has played since the 1980s in promoting race equality and cultural diversity within the arts. It looks at critiques of the work of ACE in this area, the progress that has been made, where the debate around diversity is currently headed and the future policy options that are open to ACE. It also offers a brief assessment of two major recent schemes – the Decibel programme, a development programme aimed at raising the profile of artists with African, Caribbean or Asian heritage; and the Race Equality Scheme, introduced under the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act (2000) as an exemplar scheme for the funded arts sector. The paper argues that while ACE has helped to promote significant change and progress to date, inequalities still persist. Hence, ACE needs to maintain a proactive engagement with questions of race equality and cultural diversity and should to develop a more sophisticated understanding and approach in order to fulfil its role as a national arts development body that reflects the contemporary cultural life of Britain, and which ensures the continuing good standing of British artistic and creative output on the world stage. This paper proposes that for ACE to deliver its mandate in a manner that is equitable and in step with current cultural dynamics in Britain, a proactive approach to the contemporary cultural diversity of Britain is necessary.