Arts funding: Should London get less?

“There does need to be a rebalance. It’s also really important that arts organisations have this debate together and don’t let it become a squabble.

“Ultimately we should all be making that case to the public and the government about the value of arts and culture.

“We are co-curating 36 festivals. There are seven partners working together around the country – us and in Hull, Darlington, Torbay, Great Yarmouth, Thanet and Gloucester. There are six festivals in each town over the next three years.

“Those towns have been identified as having quite low levels of cultural engagement. My dream is that those six producers and promoters, who we’re helping out, will be able to develop their own strong cultural scenes. They’ll be able to make applications then to the Arts Council and will develop reputations.”