A report Thursday (4/24) on the BBC News site states, “Culture Secretary Maria Miller has said the arts world must make the case for public funding by focusing on its economic, not artistic, value. She told arts executives in a speech that they must ‘hammer home the value of culture to our economy’. Ms. Miller said: ‘When times are tough and money is tight, our focus must be on culture’s economic impact.’ But National Theatre boss Sir Nicholas Hytner said there was ‘a contradiction at the heart of her thinking’. Arts organisations are facing big challenges as a result of austerity measures from central and local governments. … Ms. Miller’s speech came two months before the government’s spending review, which will give details of which departments will need to cut their spending and by how much. Last month, the Treasury wrote to departments warning most ministers they will have to cut up to 10% of their budgets for the year 2015-16.”

Posted April 25, 2013