The fiftieth anniversary of Naseem Khan’s The Arts Britain Ignores is renewing discussion of whose creativity receives recognition in British cultural life. Published in 1976, the report challenged a narrow understanding of national culture.
Khan highlighted work ranging from bhangra and Black visual art to Ukrainian dance, arguing that the creativity of people from different ethnic backgrounds deserved support and respect. The anniversary places those questions beside current debates about identity and public funding.
Arts Council England chair Dawn Airey is due to address a conference marking the report. The discussion concerns both the changes since publication and the issues that persist, making the anniversary an occasion to assess institutions rather than simply celebrate the survival of a historical document.
