Mark Taylor, Director of the Museums Association takes a critical look at coalitions of interest:
In the world of culture, co-operation is the thing. Inspired by the willingness of politicians (so far) to bury their differences and work together for the greater good and driven by an impending cascade of cuts, working together and partnerships are what we should all be looking for.
However, a word of caution here. Partnerships do not always work and are not always the answer. They need an understanding of shared goals and needs as well as a real willingness to commit. Too often, arts organisations enter a partnership promising so much only to find out that the philosophies of the various partners do not match, the expectations are different and the savings promised do not materialise.
A little more understanding of the complexities of partnership is needed by politicians and senior policy makers. They are a means not an end. The benefits of partnership may be outweighed by the difficulties and a museum or a gallery may be able to achieve more and risk less by working alone in a more focussed way. In addition, partnerships can often mean bigger operations and less devolved decision making – which may be counter to the spirit of localism that is one of the new government’s mantras.
Yet arts organisations, as functions that face so many ways and constantly strive to justify their existence in a bean counting world, must continue to look for partners to help them to increase their reach, effectiveness and relevance. But they must be thoughtful and strategic in selecting their partners in a way they suits their aims and the nature of their organisations rather than leaping into an agreement with the first body that promises them instant gratification, funding and political kudos. Those sorts of partnership always end in tears.
