It has been announced that the BBC Performing Arts Fund is set to close after 13 years in action, in March next year. A fund to aspire to, which has been a lifeline for many aspiring young artists, will no longer be available, which is a huge blow to both previous winners and future applicants.
The BBC Performing Arts Fund’s funding is created by revenue from phone voting in BBC TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and The Voice, however this has significantly diminished. It is now easier than ever to engage in shows such as these which require audience voting, and more and more people are voting for free with the touch of a button on their remotes. Not only is the media world becoming increasing accessible through dramatically less effort from the audience, it means less people are phoning the show and contributing to the funds in that way.
Since it was set up in 2003 the BBC Performing Arts Fund has distributed £5 million in grants to emerging talent. It was initially launched as the Fame Academy Bursary, and it has supported more than 1,200 individuals in the performing arts, and in excelling their careers. The BBC Performing Arts Fund has aided the work of globally recognisable names such as singing sensation Adele, composer Mark Simpson and the Bristol Old Vic as an organisation.
Before it closes, the BBC Performing Arts Fund will award £156,100 split between 17 alumni, however it could be argued that creating further alumni with this remaining fund would promote its work further, and the message of it closing, rather to those who have already benefited from the fund. Many owe the start of their careers to the BBC Performing Arts Fund, so it would be encouraging to see further use be made of the remaining money. It has been stated that the BBC’s commitment to the arts and nurturing talent remains as strong as ever, despite the fund’s closure.