Horsham Labour Party's secretary, Ray Chapman, wrote about funding for the arts in this letter to the West Sussex County Times, which was printed in today's paper.Having enjoyed visiting the West Sussex Artists Open Studios, in which Horsham district participates, it has been drawn to my attention through a local art outlet that the position which organises this event has been made redundant as a cost cutting exercise by Horsham district council.
It is important that art is fully supported as it involves the local community at many levels. By supporting artists, exhibitions and workshops that involve local schools, it allows accessibility to the marginalised, together with people who have learning difficulties.
This event gives local artists and craftsmen an opportunity to display their original art.
Galleries occasionally send representatives from London looking for new art to be displayed in their galleries.
Events such as the open studios encourage people to visit our town. Is Horsham going to be the poor cousin in West Sussex at the 2010 open studios event?
The town is beginning to look run-down in certain areas as it is and any way of encouraging visitors should be a priority.
It appears that the arts are an easy target for cost cutting exercises by this Conservative council. What with the Shelley Fountain under threat after a series of wrong decisions for maintaining this Horsham landmark, dedicated to Horsham's Percy Bysshe Shelley, the famous poet, dramatist, essayist, novelis, 1792-1822.
One ponders if there are any more cuts being considered in the arts area.
Ray Chapman
Secretary
Horsham Constituency Labour Party