“There are many in the arts world who believe that the government’s obsession with education and diversity has actually obscured what artists aim to do – produce wonderful work. But are “access” and “excellence” mutually exclusive? Are there too many strings attached to arts funding? Has the government been too utilitarian in its view of the arts, valuing its economic and social by-products, from tourism promotion to crime reduction, over its intrinsic worth?” England’s arts ministers take on the questions.