Gosport MP and Minister for Digital and Culture, Caroline Dinenage, has celebrated that today Sky Arts has gone free-to-air.
As Minister for Digital and Culture, Caroline has championed and celebrated the UK’s diverse and rich arts industry since the coronavirus pandemic hit. This has included regular meetings with national stakeholders and pushing for the £1.57bn support package for Britain’s world-class arts and cultural institutions.
As part of their project, Sky commissioned artworks of a number of regional landmarks, including the former Royal Navy Hospital Haslar, an iconic building much-loved by local people. This piece was painted by the very talented, Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year finalist, Fujiko Rose.
Commenting, Caroline said:
“It is a great honour that Sky commissioned such an amazing painting of our much-missed and treasured Haslar Hospital.
There has never been a more critical time to support the UK’s vibrant arts sector and I hope that launching Sky Arts as available to everyone, will inspire greater participation in the arts from new and diverse audiences.”
Director of Sky Arts, Philip Edgar-Jones said:
‘I strongly believe the arts should be for everyone and that’s why we’re throwing open the doors to make Sky Arts a free channel. There has never been a greater need or demand for the arts and I hope that we can build on and amplify the vital work that leaders in the arts are doing to support the nation’s artists and institutions”.
Artist Fujiko Rose said:
“I was honoured to be chosen to create work for the launch of Sky Arts free-to-air. My big break came when I won Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, so the channel will always be close to my heart. I hope the channel being available to everyone will mean that more young artists find the inspiration and platform for their work”.