“The coalition government has asked all major arts funding bodies to show how they would manage cuts of 25% or 30%. But leaders from institutions like the National Theatre and Tate have warned such cuts would be “catastrophic”. Culture minister Ed Vaizey has said everybody has to take their share of cuts.” From the BBC website

It is only fair that the Arts should take a cut in government funding however, it is ridiculous to expect the private sector to provide the shortfall.  Money is tight, so artists must starve (even quicker) and the general public must accept a diluted cultural environment. Maybe quality will improve because of the sparse funding – this is very exciting and the best thing that has happened for ages.