Members of the arts-loving public are being encouraged to sign up to a campaign which will alert them to threats to arts funding and organisations in their local area and nationally.

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) has launched the ‘I value the arts’ campaign as the sector faces swingeing public funding cuts. NCA was prompted to launch the campaign after being contacted by members concerned that the public had no way of voicing objections to the predicted threats to their favourite arts institutions.

Individuals who sign up to the campaign will receive email alerts when national organisations or arts groups in their area are facing funding cuts and will be invited to lobby and campaign against the moves.

Organisations themselves are also encouraged to sign up to the campaign, add the logo to their own material such as emails and direct mail and promote visitors to sign up at their box offices.

While the campaign launched yesterday, by mid-morning today more than 1,720 individuals had signed up for the ‘I value the arts’ alerts.

In an email launching the campaign, John Munro, campaigns manager at NCA, said: “At a time of recession, more and more people are turning to the arts and culture. Reduced opportunities to take part in the arts have a major impact of the quality of people’s lives and the vibrancy of their communities. As the government is encouraging us all to get engaged and create a Big Society, we believe it is important for those people who care about the arts to get involved in the decision-making about what their communities will look like.

“This campaign gives everyone who cares a chance to have their voice heard and collectively show that the arts provide a valued public service.”

Photo coutesy of V&A.