onedotzero has received news from arts council england [ACE] that we will have ALL our funding completely cut from 2012 onwards. many other digitally directed organisations face the same fate and our thoughts are with those colleagues, friends, and partners – many leaders in their field.

onedotzero won’t be going but it will inevitably have to change. we will still deliver our annual festival this november at the BFI Southbank – in our 15th year at the collision of digital arts, culture and entertainment. as many have said we have always been innovative and so must use our strengths and skills to rethink our future slightly differently. change is no bad thing and we feel new opportunities and new ways of doing things lie ahead. we have had super supportive messages from our partners and community. this is something funding cannot touch or stop.

these cuts have hit vital organizations like animate, mute, lumen, lovebytes and others – effectively a whole tranche of artistic practice, a digital culture that has not been replaced and now not part of the arts councils plans in the uk. all were told their work is valued – but not enough to be funded it seems. this is because these hybrid, cross media organisations, their work, audiences and the artists they represent are just not understood by the decision makers at ACE or the establishment.

there are some great progressive companies that operate in moving image that did receive funding, including b3 media, film + video umbrella and lux. we wholeheartedly congratulate them on securing a future – they should be funded too. they cover a certain area of artistic practice that has only a small crossover with the work onedotzero and others do however.

not only is this shortsighted it will weaken the arguably leading position uk new media and digital art has on a global stage and the scene that exists here. onedotzero has consistently delivered huge audiences through its festival at the BFI Southbank, international and nationwide tours, exhibitions like decode at the v&a, education and commissioning projects over the last decade and a half.

if you have ideas for the future on how we can work together, partner or support our activities, as ever, we are always keen to hear from you.

thank you again for your ongoing support of onedotzero, this area of contemporary culture and the great creators we continue to showcase and develop. please show your support and ACE that this is a viable vibrant arts and cultural sector by making this festival the best yet. to future adventures!

shane rj walter, director