Letter: Why Arts Council has a women's unit
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Following David Lister's otherwise excellent article regarding the Price Waterhouse review of the Arts Council ('Who's watching the consultants?', 15 June), I would like to attempt to enlighten your readers about Mr Lister's and Price Waterhouse's bewilderment at a 'special unit for women in the arts'.
The Arts Council simply employs one person (title: Policy and Projects Officer) on a research project looking at the position of women in the arts industry.
I am one of the thousands of women working in the arts who had to begin my career (post-BA and MA) as a secretary - the traditional 'way in' for women, but not for men. Many of us would like to take time off to have children, but can only do so if we are assured of a good maternity leave wage and of childcare facilities thereafter.
In museums, female staff earn, on average, 25 per cent less than male staff. Some 70 per cent of public library staff are women, yet in England and Wales only 17.6 per cent of chief librarians are women. Only four of the Arts Council's members are women, and of the 10 regional arts boards only one is directed by a woman, yet 70 per cent of the Arts Council staff are women.
If the arts are to continue to realise their full potential, diversity and excellence, then this obvious inequality must be addressed. It is mostly the energy and creativity of women that keep the arts running, but few of us reach positions of real influence that make the difference. For black and Asian women, or women with disabilities, the position is even more grim. One wonders if a woman was represented on the Price Waterhouse team of reviewers.
Yours faithfully,
SALLY HOMER
London, SW1
16 June
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments