Sarah Hopwood, Alistair Spalding and Lamia Dabboussy Chaired by Rebecca Jones

Leading figures in the UK arts world, Sarah Hopwood, Alistair Spalding and Lamia Dabboussy, discuss the challenges facing the arts in 21st-century Britain and how the arts can remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Funding controversies, an ageing population, dwindling audiences and an explosion in home entertainment are bringing major challenges to organisations such as Glyndebourne opera house and Sadler’s Wells Theatre and for arts coverage on television. However, the arts are arguably more important than ever in holding up a mirror to society and challenging polarised politics, fake news and populism. So, what can the arts do today to remain relevant?

Hopwood is managing director of Glyndebourne, the UK’s third largest opera house by revenue, and its former chief operating officer. She joined in 1997 as finance director and has overseen a doubling in turnover. Spalding is artistic director and chief executive of Sadler’s Wells Theatre, a world-leading dance house. He has driven the commissioning, producing and co-producing of 170 shows since joining in 2004. Dabboussy is executive editor of BBC Arts and leads the channel’s programming strategy. She recently spent five months as acting editor of BBC Arts. Her recent commissions include Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle for BBC Four, Inside Cinema for iPlayer and Edinburgh Nights for BBC Two. Discussions are chaired by BBC arts correspondent Rebecca Jones.

In association with Glyndebourne.