UK Theatre boss: ACE's national portfolio plans show lack of strategic foresight

Walker continued: "We recognise the complexities of the current public-funding landscape, particularly in light of the forthcoming government spending review and the review of Arts Council England itself. It is therefore deeply regrettable that the national council has only now reached this decision, leaving organisations in an extended period of uncertainty.

"Moreover, this extension effectively precludes any new applicants from joining the national portfolio or any opportunity for organisations to have their funding allocation reassessed. Organisations have already made substantial preparations for the now-abandoned June deadline."

She went on: "Under this extension, NPOs will be expected to operate under funding agreements based on applications submitted in May 2022 until 2028 – an extraordinary situation that raises serious concerns about the sustainability of current funding structures."

Highlighting ACE’s commitment to a 1.61% uplift in funding, Walker said the increase was "welcome" but nevertheless "below inflation".

She concluded: "Arts Council England plays a critical role as an arm’s-length body and national strategic funder. We therefore welcome an independent review that will not only examine the need for renewed public investment but also assess how the organisation’s leadership can best deliver the long-term, strategic funding solutions our sector so urgently requires." 

In December, ACE had said it would launch its next investment programme this spring. However, the public funder said the "external context" had since changed, in part due to the government’s imminent spending review.

That review, set to conclude in June, will examine budget lines across government departments, with and bodies such as ACE potentially being affected. 

In addition, a review into ACE’s own work led by Margaret Hodge is currently underway, with findings not to be published until 2026.