LONDON -- Hundreds of British arts organizations had their public funding slashed or eliminated Wednesday, the result of government spending cuts aimed at tackling the country's deficit.
The government-funded Arts Council England must cut 15 percent from the amount it gives to art, music, theater, dance and literature groups by 2015 – which still leaves it with almost 1 billion pounds ($1.6 billion) to hand out.
The council said that instead of "salami slicing" – cutting 15 percent from everyone – it wanted to create a smaller but stronger portfolio of groups. So some have been cut off entirely, while others have seen their funding increase.
"We have taken the brave path of strategic choices, not salami slices, which has meant some painful decisions," said council chair Liz Forgan.
