From MARTIN SORRELL, Emeritus Professor of French and Literary Translation, University of Exeter
I write to express my dismay at the withdrawal from 2012 of Arts Coucil funding to Arc Publications.
Arc has established itself as one of the UK's most important and innovative publishers, specialising as it does in the translation of non-British poetry.
Arc's 'Visible Poets', a series of parallel-text poetry collections representing a large range of writers otherwise not heard in this country, is outstanding and a major contribution to our artistic and cultural life. At a time when it is as clear as it has ever been that insularity in all its forms is most dangerous, we badly need to maintain a valuable and healthy organisation such as Arc.
I write as a member of the Translators' Association, as a contributor to the 'Visible Poets' series, as a prize-winning translator, and as a judge of one of the UK's most significant translation awards. Principally, however, I write in my capacity as a university professor responsible for setting up and running a very successful MA course in translation. It is clear just how much our young people are involved in the practice of translation -- something which can only benefit the UK, short and long-term. University Master's courses in translation have grown and prospered over the last twenty years, and in my own institution it is one of the best recruiters of all MA courses available. In this highly successful context, Arc Publications have held and continue to hold an important position.
Of course large financial cuts have to be made nationally. That is understood. But Arc is not a one-day-wonder. It is well established, skilfully and professionally run, and it plays an enduring role in the UK's cultural and educational life. I and my colleagues in my university and in other institutions, put Arc books at the heart of our teaching programmes. To withdraw Arc's funding would surely achieve only a modest short-term financial gain, but a big and enduring loss in this country's future success.
I urge you to reconsider your decision.