“The arts and entertainment sector is a large and complex one. It encompasses
some of the most profitable parts of the economy in the record and recording
industry and commercial theatre (for instance EMI or Cameron Mackintosh Ltd).
In 1997 the value of exports from the West End theatre alone was around £280
million. These organisations are central to our tourism industry and the export
success of our intellectual property, and represent arts and entertainment as one
of the UK’s few world-class industries. Additionally, there are the subsidised
activities funded through Lottery, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
(DCMS) revenue funds, and local authorities (for instance the Royal National
Theatre, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Tate Modern). The two
sectors do not work in isolation – the subsidised sector provides productions for
commercial exploitation, both sectors share a common talent pool and pre-
vocational training, and in some cases professional development activities. The
activities of these organisations improve quality of life, reduce social exclusion
and support neighbourhood renewal throughout the UK.” (Metier, 2001)