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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, SPORT AND CULTURE
BY DEPUTY M. TADIER OF ST. BRELADE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 12th APRIL 2016
Question
Will the Minister state what priority he gives to culture in his portfolio, whether culture is currently a high enough priority and what ratio of economic multiplier, pound for pound, can be expected from investment in culture in Jersey?
Answer
Having only recently taken on responsibility for the Culture portfolio, I would like to reassure the Deputy that it represents one of the highest priorities within the expanded EDTSC Department, not only in terms of performance or engagement, but in developing important skills, nurturing creativity, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive community and providing the quality of life required to attract and retain talent
In the short time since the transfer of functions was completed, Assistant Minister Deputy Norton - holding delegated responsibility for Culture - has committed a significant amount of his time to meeting Arts and Heritage organisations, devising plans and proposals for their futures. Under EDTSC's draft submission to Treasury for MTFP 2017-19, Culture has largely been protected, taking a cut of less than 1% during a period when the Department's budget is due to fall 21% from its previous 2015 cash limit.
In terms of economic multipliers there is no formal measure used by the States to evaluate the economic benefits of Culture sector, given the lack of accurate data regarding on and off Island expenditure, plus the effort required to define both culture and cultural expenditure.
Over the period 2011- 2014 however, based on publicly available accounts, the ratio of levels of self- generated funding by the three primary arts organisations in Jersey (Opera House, Jersey Arts Centre, Jersey Arts Trust) as a proportion of States grant funding was £1.70:£1, (i.e. £1.70 of self-generated income for every pound of States investment) in 2014 (latest year for which figures are available). This represents a significant increase from the 2011 figure of £1.05:£1.
The level of self-generated income by the three organisations has increased from just over 50%, to over 63% in the same period, meaning that the States now contributes about one pound in every three of their income, compared to one in every two in 2011.
The Boards and management of these arts organisations should be commended on their efforts in securing significant private sector funding for their respective programmes.