Rosie Wolfenden MBE, Co-Founder and Managing Director of internationally renowned jewellery designers, Tatty Devine (and Bonchurch resident), has this week written to the Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, Joe Robertson, arguing that Isle of Wight’s concentration of creative talent makes it an ideal arts funding test case.
Below is her letter to the MP. Ed
Having recently relocated back to the Isle of Wight, I have been astounded by the sheer number of creatives all trying to sustain themselves here – competing to sell to the same audiences and vying for the same limited grants simply so they can continue making work for our collective benefit.
Artists subsidise culture – and deserve better
Artists subsidise culture on society’s behalf. They do not choose lives of financial uncertainty because they enjoy hardship; they do so because they are compelled to create. They need to share their ideas, build communities, provoke conversation and enrich the lives of others.
The cultural and social value artists contribute is immense, yet the expectation that they continually divert their energy into lengthy grant applications is neither an efficient nor respectful use of their time or talent. I believe it is time this changed.
Ireland’s basic income scheme: the numbers speak for themselves
The recent success of the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) scheme in Ireland has demonstrated clearly that supporting artists directly can only be a positive step. The Irish government’s own research found that for every euro spent supporting artists, society received €1.39 in return.
The scheme was estimated to have generated more than €100 million in social and economic benefits through welfare savings and increased tax revenues. This is compelling evidence that investing in artists is not only culturally valuable, but economically sensible.
I believe the Isle of Wight would be an ideal pilot location for Britain to follow in Ireland’s footsteps.
An Island of Culture, not just four towns
With the national competition for the UK Town of Culture now being launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), it is remarkable that four towns from the Isle of Wight have submitted bids. This clearly demonstrates the extraordinary concentration of artists living and working here, and the rich seam of creativity that runs throughout the Island.
Personally, I would love to see us recognised not merely as individual Towns of Culture, but as an Island of Culture – and, crucially, to nurture and support this special creative cohort that we are so fortunate to share our home with.
