SMALL businesses in Birmingham’s arts sector should learn more about their financial fate today as council chiefs meet to discuss £3.5m worth of cuts.
Birmingham City Council is looking to slash £3.5m from arts funding budgets over the next fours with 16 of the 22 arts organisations which receive grants to have all money withdrawn by 2013/2014.
The six that remain will see their budgets reduced by up to 28%. The city council’s cabinet is due to meet today to discuss the report.
A council spokeswoman told TheBusinessDesk.com that its officers had been asked to come up with options to help the arts and leisure department meet its share of the cuts programme, with a leaked report representing just one of a number of scenarios.
Among those expected to be hit by the cuts are music promoter Birmingham Jazz, theatre company Stan’s Cafe and small publishing house Tindal Street Press.
They face losing grants of between £10,000 and £19,000. The council’s contribution to arts organisations of this size typically represents around 20% of a group’s total revenue, but funding from other sources such as the Arts Council is also being squeezed.
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Rep and Town Hall Symphony Hall would all keep at least some council support, seeing grants reduced by up to 28%.
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