Sir – We write to express our concerns about the proposed changes to local government which would replace the city council with a unitary council covering all of Oxfordshire – changes which could have a significant impact on the cultural life of the city.

Despite the pressures caused by funding cuts from central government, Oxford City Council has continued to invest in culture and the arts.

The City invests £285,000 a year in 14 core cultural partners – money which helps to leverage several million pounds worth of partnership investment from a diverse range of public and private sources including Arts Council England, charitable trusts and business, many of whom require local support to be in place.

Grants from the council help organisations such as Modern Art Oxford, Arts at the Old Fire Station, Film Oxford, The Story Museum, Pegasus Theatre, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, Oxford Playhouse and others listed below to present work throughout the city, working particularly with young people and vulnerable adults.

In addition to this year-round support, the City helps to deliver fantastic free events such as the Christmas Light Festival, Cowley Road Carnival and Alice’s Day, building the visitor economy, which is so vital to Oxford’s business success.

The city council’s investment in culture has an impact far beyond the theatres and galleries that make Oxford unique, and enhance the quality of life of everyone in the county.

If organisations such as Oxford Contemporary Music and Dancin’ Oxford were not supported year-round, much of the educational and cultural programme in the county’s libraries and schools would be reduced.

In addition, excellent community arts organisations such as Fusion Arts and Ark T Centre who work alongside Oxford’s richly diverse communities would struggle to make the impact that they currently achieve.

It isn’t a question of either City or County – artists and organisations supported by the city council work throughout the county. We believe that world-class culture and educational opportunities are more important than party politics.

We are concerned that a change to a county-wide unitary authority might put at risk the wonderful arts and cultural organisations we are lucky to enjoy.

Adrian Pawley, chairman of trustees, OVADA
Caroline Jones, executive director, The Story Museum
Dr April Pierce, Oxford Writers’ House
Dr Marios Papadopoulos, music director, Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra
Emmy O’Shaughnessy, director, Ark T Centre
Geron Swann, centre director, Film Oxford
Holly Lombardo, artistic director, Fusion Arts Oxford
Jacqui Ibbotson, Oxford Arts Consultants
Jeremy Spafford, director, Arts at the Old Fire Station
Jo Ross, director, Oxford Contemporary Music
Johannah Aynsley, executive director, Cowley Road Works
Kate Whiting and Corinne Micallef, joint chief executives, Pegasus Theatre
Louise Chantal, chief executive, Oxford Playhouse
Paul Hobson, director, Modern Art Oxford
Renata Allen, Oxford Playmakers