Music funding slashed by Arts Council

Orchestras and opera companies are among the arts organisations set to lose out as Arts Council England makes drastic cuts to funding from 2012 to 2015.

695 arts organisations of the 1300 which applied for funding have been successful, down on the 849 funded previously. Of the groups that received funding, and continue to do so, more than 300 face cuts in real terms.

Many of the great orchestras are facing funding reductions of 11%, including Classic FM’s partner orchestras the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society, London Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia; as well as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Royal Opera, Welsh National Opera and Opera North will see their budgets slashed by 15%, while English National Opera will lose 11%. 

One of the few success stories is that of the Academy of Ancient Music, set to receive support for the first time, along with 109 other organisations.

Arts Council England took the decision to cut strategically rather than equally for all. Chairwoman Dame Liz Forgan explains: "This is about a resilient future for the arts in England. We have taken the brave path of strategic choices not salami slices which has meant some painful decisions, and it is with great regret that we have to cease funding some good organisations."