Figures released by the Arts & Business organisation show that total arts sponsorship in Britain in the financial year 2001-2 was £111 million, only 3% down on the previous year. Among the top 10 recipients were the Imperial War Museum, Tate, the National Gallery and the Royal Academy. However, 11 September came half way through the financial year, and most corporate sponsorship decisions had already been made. Since then, the economic climate has deteriorated. Visual arts sponsorship in 2001-2 was £6,443,000—down from £10,309,000 in 2000-1, but marginally up on the £6,354,000 in 1999-2000. The 2000-1 figure was high because of the completion of millennium projects.
Originally appeared as 'Exhibition sponsorship in decline in Britain'