New book published calling for a radical recasting of state support for the arts

A clean sweep of state arts bodies, including Arts Council England, is proposed by respected arts insider, Tim Joss. He believes that they need to be replaced with just two bodies, one for artists and one for public engagement. ‘The impact would be profound. It would release artists’ potential and engage not alienate the public.’
he radical proposal is outlined in his book, ‘New Flow – A better future for artists,citizens and the state’. He believes that a new compact between artists, publics and the state is required. ‘New Flow’ proposes:

• A practical way forward, not just more talk, which stops the arts being held back by outmoded state support.
• A call for society to make the most of what artists can contribute and to treat artists better.
• A path to a new era of ‘public engagement’ inspired by what science has been doing.
• An end to the state’s narrow definition of the arts and embracing the ‘full, delicious cacophony’ of what is going on.
• A thorough case for the arts to have a permanent seat at the government top table.

‘New Flow’ has been warmly welcomed by figures inside and outside the arts:
‘Totally thought provoking’ Sir Brian McMaster
‘as a diagnosis of the ills dragging the arts sector down, it is, in my view, unparalleled.’ Liz Hill, Consultant Editor, Arts Professional and Director, Arts Intelligence Limited
‘It is wonderfully lucid and fresh in its analysis and description of how the world of the arts in the UK is changing, and beguilingly invitational in its suggestions about the future. An energising read.’ Kate Tyndall, Arts producer and author of ‘The Producers – Alchemists of the Impossible’
‘highly stimulating, beautifully written and very accessible’ Stewart Wallis, Executive Director, New Economics Foundation

New Flow follows the model whereby a first version is published on the web. Contributions and challenges to this version are then incorporated in the final version. You can find New Flow on the new MMM website where your input is welcome.
About Tim Joss
Tim has spent his entire career in the arts and has an insiders knowledge, right across the arts spectrum, of both artists and arts organisations. Previously he was Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Bath Festivals, Bournemouth Orchestras’ Senior Manager, an Arts Council Music & Dance Officer and Assistant Administrator of Live Music Now. He is a board member of the London Sinfonietta and Richard Feilden Foundation. Other activities have included chair of the British Arts Festivals Association and chair of a commission of the International Society for Music Education.

Since January 2005 Tim Joss has been Director of a privately endowed foundation, highly regarded for its innovative grant making.  While at the foundation, he has co-founded and was first chair of the British Council for School Environments, now the leading independent champion of excellent design and architecture of schools. He also created fellowships for society’s ‘bridgebuilders’. The first wave, for choreographers, is co-funded by Arts Council England
and administered by Dance UK.  Tim is a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.