Arts Council England Review - Statement from The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Published 16 December 2025
Applies to England
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Arts Council England Review - Statement from The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
The government strongly welcomes the Rt Hon the Baroness Hodge of Barking DBE’s Independent Review of Arts Council England. I would like to personally thank Baroness Hodge for her unwavering rigour and dedication, and thank the Advisory Panel for their expertise.
Access to arts and culture is not a luxury - it is a necessity. It shapes our communities and enriches our lives. This government believes that excellence must be open to everyone, wherever they live and whatever their background. A national Arts Council, connected to the places and people it serves, is essential to making that vision a reality.
This Review highlights the strengths of Arts Council England’s work, but it also challenges us to do better. It sets out recommendations to strengthen support for artists, reach communities more effectively, and ensure that creativity is accessible to all. The government will now consider these recommendations.
A response to the Review will be published in the New Year.