1946 – The Arts Council founded

In recognition for the tremendous impact the arts had made on public morale during World War Two, the new Labour Government of 1945 was instrumental in founding The Arts Council of Great Britain. A non-departmental public body dedicated to the promotion of the arts in Great Britain, the council’s first chairman, John Maynard Keynes, who used his influence in government to secure high levels of public funding, gathered through taxation, and ensure the Arts Council reported directly to the Treasury. The principle of an ‘arms length’ relationship between British arts policy and the government was also established. The formation of The Arts Council meant that, for the first time, ballet and dance companies, as well as many other arts organisations, could apply for funding from government, therefore allowing them greater financial stability.

In 1994, The Arts Council of Great Britain was replaced by The Arts Council of England, the Scottish Arts Council and The Arts Council of Wales; an Arts Council of Northern Ireland already existed.