Deputy Montfort Tadier, who as an Assistant Economic Development Minister has responsibility for culture, told the States that he had asked officers to make sure that the report commissioned by his predecessor and carried out by BOP Consulting, who specialise in culture and the creative economy, is published within the next few days.
He said the report confirmed that the sector had been underfunded ‘for years’. He added: ‘That needs to be urgently addressed.’
The Deputy had been asked by Deputy Kirsten Morel what steps were being taken to address the issue of funding for the Arts Centre, which has warned it faces having to make drastic cuts unless money is invested into the organisation.
Deputy Tadier said the bid for funding for the Arts Centre would be determined by the Treasury Minister in the next week or so.
He was then challenged by St Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft about why money had been pledged to support the Superleague Triathlon for the next four years when local organisations such as the Arts Centre did not know if they would even have funding for next year.
The Deputy said he was supportive of any such investment that contributed to creating a more vibrant and resilient local community.
He added that he hoped that by having an arts and culture champion the sector would be better looked after for the next four years and beyond.
