Sir Nicholas Serota says continued public investment is vital to draw in private funding to maintain cultural centres

Arts and cultural centres across England are at a “tipping point” as many face closure or restricted operations without continued public investment, the chair of Arts Council England has warned before next month’s government spending review.

Sir Nicholas Serota, who runs the body that distributes public funds to arts organisations ranging from national institutions to community-based ventures, said it would be a tragedy if people outside big cities were denied access to the arts.