These are challenging times for the arts and for our universities. Everywhere we look it would seem that culture and its study are in the front line of the squeeze on public spending. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the proposed funding arrangements for universities in the future is the positioning of the arts, humanities and social sciences as non-priority subjects that no longer require any support from the Government teaching grant. It is imperative that we make the case not only for the academic value of the arts and humanities but for the social benefits they bring to the nation and their significant contribution to our economy.

‘The Humanities and Money’ is organised by Universities UK and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Kingston University, as part of Universities Week. Universities Week is a national campaign which highlights the essential role of universities in the UK and their impact on the economy, culture, society, the environment and much more. This special event to promote the value of the Arts and Humanities is intended as a flagship to raise awareness of the challenges confronting our cultural disciplines and as advocacy on their behalf. The event is not an academic conference but rather will consist of short contributions (5-10 mins) by a range of speakers from across the media, arts, business and the academy: part Ted Talk, part power breakfast for the Humanities. This event has been recorded and is available as a podcast at the following URL:

http://backdoorbroadcasting.net/2011/06/the-humanities-and-money-a-power-breakfast/