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Oyster card for the arts in Mayor's culture masterplan
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard24.11.08
AN "Oyster card" for the arts, giving free or cheap entry to events and venues, could be handed out to Londoners under plans announced by the Mayor today.
The electronic pass would provide access to museums, theatres and sports centres for the elderly and children in care, and could eventually be extended to all schoolchildren.
It could be incorporated into a user's ordinary Oyster card, which would be swiped at the entrance to the venue.
The idea is set out as part of a wider strategy by Boris Johnson to boost London's cultural life.
His director of culture, Munira Mirza, said: "It's early days but we have this technology with Oyster cards and it would be great to use it. Potentially these passes could be given to schoolchildren and used for sport as well.
'We want young people to get every opportunity to experience culture, to understand it, and to know it is for them. We want to encourage everyone to participate. It shouldn't be that people think the National Gallery is just for middle-class white people.
"There is a perception that cultural exhibits and events are too expensive but we want to readdress that. A lot of places are working very hard on reducing admission prices."
However, Mr Johnson will cut back on the number of events in Trafalgar Square, arguing it should be available as a tourist attraction or for "only the highest quality cultural and community events". His strategy is detailed in the report Cultural Metropolis. Other plans include:
●A £1.4 million 2012 cultural skills fund that will give grants of up to £50,000 so arts groups can capitalise on opportunities presented by the Olympics.
●A programme of events called The Story Of London, to be held in June, which will celebrate the past, present and future of the capital. There would be history re-enactments and one-offs such as Victorian tea-parties held in period houses.
●A musical instruments amnesty, backed by cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber, is under way, asking Londoners to pledge old instruments to young learners.
●London Film Day, which will offer screenings and events next year.
Mr Johnson said: "I want to maintain the capital's status as one of the great world cities for creativity. My job is not to back heritage over modernism, nor to allow the destruction of much-loved old buildings. It is to encourage all manner of artistic expression in the knowledge that culture is not just an add-on to the necessity of modern politics.
"I want to see better access and provision for people in outer boroughs, where it can be very patchy. And we must capitalise on the opportunities offered by the 2012 Games to create a cultural legacy."
He has promised to continue some schemes backed by his predecessor Ken Livingstone, including Art On The Underground and Poetry On The Underground. The Fourth Plinth project will continue with commissions by Antony Gormley and Yinka Shonibare. But there is no mention of erecting a statue of Battle of Britain hero Sir Keith Park.
The mayor said he would also continue to support major religious festivals and events such as Notting Hill Carnival, London Mela and Carnaval Del Pueblo in Peckham.
Key points of Boris's blueprint
Arts "Oyster card"
Electronic pass giving free or discounted entry to venues such as museums, theatres, and leisure centres.
2012 cultural skills fund
A total of £1.4 million in small grants to arts groups to ensure cultural legacy of the Olympics.
The story of London
Series of events celebrating the history, present and future of the capital.
Musical Instruments amnesty
Londoners urged to hand in their unused instruments so they can be distributed to young learners.
London film day
Events and screenings.
Cutback on use of Trafalgar Square for events
But keep the Fourth Plinth commissions.
More access to the arts in the outer boroughs
Reader views (12)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
A cutback on the use of Trafalgar Square for events. About time something was done about that. As someone who is lucky enough to walk through the square every day, I am becoming increasingly frustrated and annoyed about the number of "festivals" and events that have turned the square into a building site.
Trafalgar Square is rightly a central point of London and an important Public Space. In reality, Trafalgar Square has become cluttered with spurious events that take 2 days to set up a nd 2 days to pull down and only an afternoon of "event" in between.
- Tim Scott, London
quote: "If the National Gallery isn't just for rich white people, then why is it only full of pictures of rich white people?"
And that in the first post too... I don't think I can take it. I am off to 'check out' the National Portrait Gallery and will report back in due course.
- Robert Zimmerman, London
I imagine that Boris and Ms Mirza have noticed that the major galleries and museums are all free, so a pass isn't going to open them up to some grouping that has hitherto been excluded; so what's the game? Is this part of a larger plan to reintroduce charges, but exempt Londoners, in order to clobber tourists? If that works, we might not like the results if the tourists go elsewhere (Personally, I'd love it!)
These places are all crammed anyway, which is surely a healthy sign. Anyone who isn't already there by choice just possibly might have decided that that's not where they want to spend their time; is that a problem that needs fixing? Bouncers outside the Tate throwing people in? I thought that the basic point about Conservatism was letting people make their own decisions. You might well need to revive the Press Gang to fill the seats at the Olympics,but our museums and galleries seem to be doing OK.
- Mdj, Leyton, e10 london
@Jilly: I spend my life among middle-class white people who assume that everyone else thinks and acts like them. Don't erect silly straw men on my argument: I wasn't suggesting closing the NG, merely that its collection reflects the history and cultural preoccupations of Europe's ruling class.
@JC & Paul: Going to the NG is a valuable part of any art education; but it's Johnson and Mirza who've suggested that by itself it's enough for everyone.
Because of course this rather disingenuous announcement isn't just about what Boris or Mirza think makes a good day out. 'The National Gallery: it's quite good, actually' isn't news. This is about subsidy, permission and encouragement for London's arts as a whole, and an implicit threat to cut the supply of all three to activities that aren't considered sufficiently culturally 'good' by London's arts supremo. And that's a threat to everyone in London.
- Flaneurx, London
Art is paid for by rich people. In this century or any other. Artists made most of their cash from commissions from powerful families. In the last 500 years most of the cash and power has been held by White people. Most of the paintings in the National Gallery are from the last 500 years. It is good that old paintings are kept safe by such places as the National Gallery. You have to pick your battles, Flaneurx.
- Alex C, London
The National Gallery is only for the White Middle Classes? Did I miss the signs? Where does Munira Mirza think she's living 1960's South Africa? All in all her comment is something of an insult not to mention a cliche.
- Jonathan, London
National Gallery perceived as being a place for middle-class white people. Ooohhh. Why not close it down then. Can't have places where middle class white people feel comfortable amongst people who look like them and sound like them. Apart from which, it's complete nonsense. Visit the gallery and you will see what a mixture there is and nobody is forcing them to be there.
- Jilly, London
I don't like the idea Cutback on use of Trafalgar Square for events.
the use of using oyster cards for the arts i like the idea.
but he didn't said if this going to be long term.
- Andy, London
Munira Mirza's ill considered comment 'the National Gallery isn't just for middle class white people' is turning an excellent plan from the mayors office into something racial. Indeed her statement, already at the very least bordering on offensiveness could and should have been put a number of other ways. One hopes she is the right individual for the job.
- Chris Naylor-Smith, Brighton United Kingdom
Dear flaneurx, your point would be valid if the National Gallery wasn't free. But as it is free to all the public - then surely it is up to all of us to go there.
The great thing about culture is its diversity and variety - and you know what - somethings appeal to some, and somethings don't.
Now if you had made the comment about the Royal Opera House - you might have a point!
- Jc, se1
'Flaneurx'
I think you will find that most of National Gallery's paintings are rather old, from a time when Britain was not quite a culturally diverse at it is now. I don’t think it's fair to say the paintings are not diverse because they don’t represent race and class of the country. It is a fact that the poor of the country would have been unable to afford a portrait of their family members in times gone by; that just how it was. I think your find another gallery; Tate Modern has a lot of works by artist of difference races and classes. That does more represent modern Britain. I feel your underlying point is that The National Gallery is prejudice, which I hope isn’t I wide spread opinion as it clearly is not.
- Paul, London
If the National Gallery isn't just for rich white people, then why is it only full of pictures of rich white people? The idea that 'quality art' is independent of race and class, and doesn't primarily reflect the priorities of people at the top of the pile is risible.
- Flaneurx, London
