The complete defunding of arts organisations, including Ikon Gallery, Birmingham Royal Ballet and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, was announced this week as the council announced plans for £300m of cuts over the next two years.
The comedian Joe Lycett compared the lack of central government support for local councils with bank bailouts after the financial crash of 2008, calling the cuts "horrifying".
"The people of this city are strong, resourceful, and wildly creative," he said. "We have a brilliant and unique art scene; thankfully much of it does not rely on council money. But there is no denying that these cuts are a short-termist national disgrace." Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran said the decision was "disgraceful" and called for local politicians to reconsider and reverse the cuts, which mean organisations face a 50% reduction this year and 100% the next.
His bandmate Roger Taylor said it was "devastating news" for his hometown, which he thinks risks losing its position as a "vibrant, exciting and diverse" place of art and culture.
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