Arts Council England (ACE) has faced criticism after its update to the Relationship Framework policy, which urged funded organisations to consider the “reputational risks” of individuals making “overtly political statements.” ACE’s warning, made to National Portfolio Organisations and Investment Principles Support Organisations, caused fears that the council was seeking to limit freedom of expression. Almost 1,000 arts and cultural organisations receive regular funding from ACE as part of the National Portfolio scheme.
The new guidelines state that ACE will “monitor” creative and artistic output that could be “deemed controversial” — threatening sanctions including a withdrawal of funding or increased monitoring. Such frowned upon statements include “activity that might be considered overtly political or activist and goes beyond your company’s core purpose and partnerships with organisations that might be perceived as being in conflict with the purposes of public funding of culture.”
ACE has since issued a statement in response to the backlash claiming that the Relationship Framework is in place to ensure that ACE-funded organisations consider reputational risks before undertaking an activity that may be perceived as controversial. The council clarified that its guidance does not seek to limit freedom of expression for artists and organisations to make the art they want to make or to speak out in any way they wish. Nonetheless, the council strongly recommends that organisations assess the risks associated with controversial activity to mitigate any potential negative impact.
The Relationship Framework has been updated just a month after Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer announced a full-scale review of Arts Council England to assess the future of the public body following an earlier assessment. The review could “highlight the poor treatment of dozens of artists”, according to reports. ACE has clarified its position on political statements made by individuals linked to funded organisations in a statement released on 14 February
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