Led by the Arts Council of England, leaders of some of the UK's most prominent cultural institutions have appealed directly to PM David Cameron not to cause 'irreparable damage' to what they refer to as its most economically successful sector in the imminent Spending Review.

They argued that while the cultural sector is willing to play its part in the country's economic recovery with realistic cuts, the 25 per cent to 40 per cent reductions being proposed would be 'catastrophic', coming as they do on top of 3.5 per cent cuts this year as well as the culture sector's £322m contribution to the costs of the Olympics. The directors warned that the cumulative effect of the cuts could lead to the closure, or partial closure, of leading national museums, galleries and theatres, as well as of many arts organisations across the country.

This, they believe, "would reverse the gains that have been made since 1992 in the international standing of the UK's cultural organisations, leading to the loss of irreplaceable expertise, and for a generation of children and young people much diminished access to their culture and heritage". Concern was expressed that the sector's unique model of mixed funding would be severely damaged by the depth and extent of the cuts being discussed. It was further felt that while the government's proposal that renewed efforts should be made to attract philanthropy was welcome - especially were it to be linked to tax incentives - such new giving could not be expected to make good immediate shortfalls.

It was also pointed out that not only does the UK have the largest cultural economy in the world relative to GDP - with every £1 invested in culture producing £2 - but that of the top 10 UK visitor attractions, 8 are national museums. In response, culture minister Ed Vaizey said that while such institutions were "absolutely entitled" to make their case, "everybody had to share their burden of the cuts that were coming".

He said: "Nobody should be in any doubt at all that we strongly support the work that arts organisations do in this country, but equally they have to be in no doubt at all that we face a very tough financial environment left for us by the last Labour government. "We're going to work together to make sure that we can continue to deliver first class arts to as many people as possible but we have to work together to make this happen."

Image: the Natural History Museum, London