Future Arts Centres welcomes the publication of Arts Council England’s new Strategic Framework.

The first and perhaps most notable aspect is the clarity of the document. It is direct about the role Arts Council England intends to play as a national funder, an arm’s length body and a development agency, while also being clear about what it expects from the organisations and artists it supports.

The framework feels like a renewed commitment to excellence and quality as the foundations of public investment in culture. Importantly, it recognises that excellence can look different in different places and contexts. For arts centres, whose work ranges from presenting world-class artists to supporting local creativity, this feels like an important acknowledgement.

We are particularly pleased to see children and young people identified as a priority for investment. Arts centres play a vital role in nurturing creativity from an early age, providing opportunities for young people to create, participate, perform and shape culture in their communities. At a time when access to arts and creativity remains uneven, this commitment is especially welcome.

Arts centres will also recognise much of the spirit of Let’s Create within the new framework. The ambition that everyone, everywhere should be able to experience excellent art and culture sits alongside a belief that people should have opportunities to develop and express their own creativity. This dual commitment to participation and artistic excellence has long been at the heart of the arts centre movement.

We welcome the intention to create a simpler and less prescriptive relationship between Arts Council England and the organisations it invests in. Across the country, arts centres are responding to complex local challenges, building partnerships, supporting communities and creating spaces where people come together. Enabling organisations to focus more of their time and energy on this work is a positive step.

The proposed new services for Individuals, Touring, and Innovation and Development are also encouraging. In particular, the recognition of Arts Council England’s role as a development agency reflects the importance of investing not only in cultural activity, but in the people, organisations and ideas that will shape the future of the sector.

The framework is also realistic about the context in which it will be delivered. Limited resources mean difficult choices lie ahead, and many organisations continue to face significant financial pressures. As the framework moves into implementation, the challenge will be ensuring that investment reaches the artists, organisations and places that make culture an essential part of everyday life.

Arts centres exist to connect people with creativity – as audiences, participants, makers and communities. We look forward to working with Arts Council England and partners across the sector to help realise the ambitions set out in this framework.