Local government has been the unsung hero of arts and culture funding for many decades and over recent years, many local authorities have invested in the sector with considerable success.

The economic, cultural and social benefits that have resulted are clear to see in cities such as Liverpool and Gateshead, but also in a host of smaller towns and rural areas across the country.

But in the face of unprecedented budget cuts and the competing demands of other services, councils are under increasing pressure to reduce their finances for arts and cultural activities; funding has fallen by 19% in the last three years.