Arts Out

I've been reading that the proposed new English Baccalaureate is due to exclude arts subjects in favour of  maths, sciences, English, history and languages. I agree with the campaigners in the arts sector that without teaching our children to understand, enjoy and participate in arts subjects, then we risk undermining new talent and the continued growth of our successful creative industries, whether that be music,theatre, fashion, design, film, art or photography. I surely wish that I'd had more opportunities when I was at school but I've been fortunate enough as an adult to have had masses of opportunities to learn about, participate in and enjoy all sorts of cultural experiences. And especially in London where there is so much to do and see that frankly even reading about 'what's on' can sometimes be a challenge. But in these tough economic times, the Government is reducing its so-called 'arts handouts' via the Arts Council. Boris is leading the attack on Government not to "kill the goose that lays the golden egg" by choking off London's cultural industry, especially as it drives international tourism to the capital, let alone how it stimulates the life of its millions of residents. I believe that excellence breeds excellence and in the case of the arts, we need to teach our school children the life-time value of arts and so contribute to the national good in all sorts of ways.