This document makes the holistic case for supporting arts and culture by providing examples of how it benefits culture, education, society, and the economy. It highlights arts organizations that preserve cultural heritage and provide access to the arts, as well as education programs that teach music, dance, and creative skills. Examples also show how the arts can help former prisoners develop skills and support well-being in healthcare settings. The document argues that arts and culture are not just for the elite but fuel the broader economy, and that cities' innovative potential lies in the creative union of technology, arts and civic life. It invites the reader to consider how these concepts interconnect and which policies should result.

1. A model:
the holistic case for the arts and culture
Sadler’s Wells co-production,
Akram Khan Company, DESH
Image: Richard Haughton

2. The holistic case for arts and culture: the model

3. The holistic case – culture: examples
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The acquiring of culture is the
developing of an avid hunger for
knowledge and beauty.
Jesse Lee Bennett
The Space will be re-launched in 2014 as a
place for artists to experiment, take risks and
think big
The Museum of London tells the story of
the city and its people. It cares for over 2
million objects and attracts over 400,000
visitors a year
Art can help us find expression for the ecstatic joy of
being alive and thereby help us feel that joy.
Michael Boyd, Artistic Director,
Royal Shakespeare Company

4. The holistic case – education: examples
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The great law of culture is: let
each become all that he was
created capable of being
Thomas Carlyle
Paraiso School of Samba, London gives
guidance to groups and individuals playing
authentic Brazilian samba music in the UK,
encompassing music and dance tuition, and all
aspects of carnival design
The Mighty Creatives, Leicester prepares
children and young people for a lifetime of
leadership, innovation and enterprise by giving
them the creative skills to drive positive change in
their lives and communities.
A really great museum is like a combination of a compass and a kaleidoscope. It gives you a
sense of where you stand in the world and opens your mind to a myriad of possibilities.
Sally MacDonald, Director of Museums and Public Engagement, UCL

5. The holistic case – society: examples
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The Customs House, South Tyneside, is an arts
centre offering great arts activity and entertainment
for all. It runs a theatre, cinema, gallery, studio,
restauraunt and a community space used for
everything from dance classes to weddings
Good Vibrations, Grants for the Arts recipient,
is a charity that helps former and current prisoners
and ensures hospital patients develop crucial life
and work skills, through participating in intensive
drumming courses.
If the arts had not been invested, we would now do so,
as a front line NHS service.
Alan Yates, Chief Executive, Mersey Care NHS Trust
Our quest should not just be to add
years to our lives, but life to our years.
John F. Kennedy

6. The holistic case – economy: examples
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The innovative cities of the coming
age will develop a creative union of
technology, arts and civics.
Sir Peter Hall
Solo Theatre, London. In 2012/13 the theatre’s
£600k Arts Council investment leveraged £4.2m
turnover. This resulted in £625k returning to
government through VAT, tax and NI payments.
Dedalus Publishing, Huntingdon. A publisher of
literary fiction since 1983. Its mission is to be
unique; an alternative to commercial publishing, to
find new talent and put British publishing at the
heart of Europe.
Culture is not just for the middle class. People who think that
need to think again – it’s the rocket fuel for our economy.
Michael Eakin, Chief Executive, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

7. The holistic case – what do you think?
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Are we using the right words?
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How do these concepts interlink?
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What policies should flow from this?
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Which are the most important? Does it matter?
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Keep the conversation going: @ace_national
[The arts and culture] makes life worth living
Jeremy Deller, Artist