ACE backtracks on Relationship Framework, planning updated version 'as soon as possible'

Arts Council England (ACE) will publish an updated version of its new Relationship Framework “as soon as possible” after facing backlash for its advice about "overtly political or activist statements". 

In a statement posted Thursday 15th February, ACE said it has “been listening closely to feedback, on social media and directly, around the changes we made in January to our Relationship Framework”, which said organisations should be alert to the risk of making “statements, including about matters of current political debate”, that are likely to result in a negative reaction from the public, media or stakeholders, towards the organisation or to ACE itself.  

ACE had defined reputational risk as any activity or behaviour "that potentially breaches the terms and conditions of the funding agreement" and that "any activity undertaken by the organisation can bring reputational risk to the Arts Council, regardless of whether the activity is directly funded through your grant or not". 

ACE was criticised about the implications the changes had for artistic freedom, and issued a further statement on Wednesday 14th February to clarify its commitment to freedom of expression. However, trade figures remained concerned about the wording of the updated framework, particularly the section on “What do we mean by reputational risk?”

In its latest statement, ACE said: “We believe unequivocally in freedom of expression for artists and cultural organisations, and their right to make work that is challenging, provoking and political. The updates we made to our Relationship Framework were intended to support funded organisations in identifying and responding to risks, and were in no way meant to limit artistic expression. However, it’s very apparent from what we’ve heard that the language we used in our update was open to misinterpretation. 

“We know from our conversations with organisations that support around managing complex, risky issues is needed, and that is what the Relationship Framework is there to do. But in light of what we’ve heard this week, we’re looking again at some of the language we’ve used, and will clarify it to fully reflect our original intention. 

“We’ll publish an updated version of the Relationship Framework as soon as possible.”