Outrage as the Arts Council bails out artist agencies

Among today’s handouts to help the arts avoid bankruptcy, two stand out like boils on a bald head.

The artists agency Intermusica Artists Management Ltd has been awarded £198,000 of public money.

IMG Artists (UK) Ltd received £100,000.

This is outrageous in more ways that I can describe.

First, it’s unfair. Other agencies – Askonas Holt, HarrisonParrott, Rayfield Allied and more – are all in the same boat, but two agencies have been singled out for preferential treatment. How on earth is that justified.

Second, what is the public benefit? If an agency goes bust, another will arise in its place. These are not essential services.

Third, what do they contribute to the economy? Apart from a handful of jobs, zilch.

Fourth, IMG’s co-owner (pictured) is a convicted fraudster.

Fifth …. oh, don’t get me started.

This money was meant to be spent on keeping the arts and artists alive, not feeding a bunch of marginal, non-creative career managers.

This is an appalling allocation and it needs to be raised in Parliament.