UK Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has described arts organisations outside London that cannot attract philanthropic funds as “pathetic”.

Vaizey was speaking to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport select committee, during an evidence session on the work of the Arts Council England.

He said that “every arts organisation in this country” should be able to attract donations.

Vaizey was asked how realistic it was for all arts organisations to raise private funds by John Leech, MP for Manchester Withington.

He said: “I think it is very realistic. I can see absolutely no reason why every arts organisation in this country cannot raise philanthropic funds.”

“I think there are all sorts of cultural, institutional barriers to that. I think that too many arts organisations think, 'well, we live in an area where rich people don't live, so they're not going to back the arts'. I think that is pathetic, frankly.”

Vaizey added: “For a start, philanthropy doesn't mean a cheque of £5m. It could mean a cheque of £5, it could be a cheque for £500.”

“I think too many arts organisations think the conversation with the donor ends with the cheque, in my view the conversation with the donor begins with the cheque.”

Vaizey continued to say that some arts organisations see the donor as a “cash point machine, not as an ally”, where as the donor may want to be “part of the family”.

He said: “I really do think that any arts organisation that says it just can’t be done is completely missing the point.”

Last year, the report Rebalancing Our Cultural Capital found that London received £20 per head in funding from Arts Council England compared to £3.60 in the rest of England.