Ahead of the forthcoming UK general elections this May, the Creative Industries Federation (CIF) has announced that it is to organise a series of events where key politicians will put forward their plans for the arts.
Shadow arts minister Chris Bryant will lead the first event, taking place in Birmingham on 25 February (venue TBA). In front of a live audience, Bryant will explain Labour’s culture plans and take part in a Q&A session.
Education secretary Nicky Morgan will detail the government’s position on cultural education at an event on 16 March in London (venue TBA).
A CIF ‘cultural electoral hustings’ will be held at the Clore Studio, Royal Opera House on 8 April, speakers include culture secretary Ed Vaizey and shadow deputy prime minister Harriet Harman.
CIF, which was launched last November, aims to give a single voice for the UK’s creative sector. Members include Hepworth Wakefield, National Portrait Gallery, Burberry, Royal Albert Hall, Nottingham Trent University, Universal Music Group, Film City Glasgow, Shakespeare’s Globe, British Screen Advisory Council, Watershed Arts Trust Bristol, Tangerine, Nesta, Arts University Bournemouth, Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society, Dance Umbrella, Beautiful Meme, Goldsmiths University, Association of Independent Music.
The organisation, which is currently accepting nominations for a new advisory council to direct the group’s future policy plans, will host a series of roadshow events across the UK this year, visiting Newcastle, Manchester, Bristol. Liverpool, Cardiff, Birmingham, Belfast and Glasgow.
