The visual arts offer individuals the opportunity for enjoyment, inspiration and a space for reflection. They can contribute to the unfolding of individual, social and cultural histories and deepen our understanding of a complex and rapidly changing world. They also have a significant imaginative and dynamic role: in economic prosperity, in education and learning, in furthering social equity and in fostering a workforce that is creative.

Social and economic regeneration. Galleries, museums and visual arts organisations are found at the centre of economic and social regeneration projects, for example Tate Liverpool, which opened in 1988 and more recently The New Art Gallery, Walsall and Baltic, Gateshead.

Education and lifelong learning. Visual arts organisations run extensive education and outreach projects. The contemporary, cutting edge nature of their work often enables them to reach sectors of society that are disenfranchised or marginalised. There are a growing number of projects with young people outside formal education, whilst the outcomes of the recent DfES funded Museums and Galleries Education Programme show the potential of the visual arts in fulfilling curriculum objectives.

Public collections. Museums, galleries and commissions of art in public places enable people to experience and enjoy great art at first hand. The collection and display of contemporary work provides new perspectives on history, encourages new audiences to experience the wealth of our museum collections, stimulates reflection on contemporary society and creates the 'heritage' of tomorrow.

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