THE boss of Brighton Festival has warned that arts and culture is under threat in schools as he launched this May's programme.

Chief executive Andrew Comben told those gathered at Brighton Dome Studio Theatre yesterday there was a real danger of cuts unless "we fight for it".

He was speaking at the launch of the May 7 to 29 event which is being guest directed by US artist Laurie Anderson.

He said this year's Brighton Festival, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary, will have one of its biggest programmes of community arts projects to date.

Mr Comben said: "I think there is a real danger that arts and culture could be downgraded in education unless we fight for it.

"What is brilliant about the schools in Brighton and Hove is they are so committed to arts and culture, and that is because so many parents are already interested in the arts, see its value, and headteachers are really committed.

"We have to offer as much as possible so people find it easier to access arts and culture.

"The curriculum is becoming more trenchant in the way it is applied and it is really important our kids and young people have an opportunity for freedom and creativity."

Speaking of the guest director, who was unable to attend yesterday, Mr Comben said she was very interested in promoting arts and culture among children as part of the festival.

Events such as BAFTA Kids, a series of workshops run by TV presenters from CITV and CBBC, A Weekend Without Walls, two family events in Easthill Park and East Brighton Park, and the annual Children's Parade, all encourage youngsters to get involved.

Mr Comben added the festival has been working with the Our Future City initiative which seeks to promote creative skills through the city for young people.

He said: "I hope we can encourage people on the fringes of the city and people who do not regularly engage with the festival that it is not all about highbrow stuff which isn't for them.

"There is a huge amount of stuff which is firstly good fun, secondly accessible and thirdly that might introduce them to a whole range of things they may not be able to experience."

GUEST DIRECTOR’S DELIGHT AT BEING A PART OF EVENT

THE GUEST director of Brighton Festival delivered her opening remarks by video from Brazil.

The American performance artist and musician Laurie Anderson could not make the launch event for the festival’s 50th anniversary but spoke from the big screen at the Brighton Dome Studio Theatre.

She said she was “really happy” to take up the directorship, adding she loved the theme of home and place saying: “As a working musician and often on the road the idea of home is pretty appealing.”

She added: “I love the chance to meet other artists and hang out with them. It is a free for all so I am really looking for to it.”

The experimental artist has a number of events in the programmes including a performance of her piece Music for Dogs, which is tailored especially for canine ears, a screening of her film Heart of a Dog, a new performance with musicians Nik Bartsch and Eivind Aarset called Song Conversation, and a monologue titled Slideshow.

She said: “Slideshow is about an attempt to describe several places I have been in my life and what they might have in common.

“This is a brand new piece. I cannot tell you that much about it. It is going to be a surprise to me too.

“We will also be doing a concert for dogs and I am so curious who is going to show up. We play things in their range and we are going to see what happens.”