Dozens of demonstrators stage protest against cuts to arts funding at Tate Britain as prize ceremony takes place
Students protesting against government cuts invaded Tate Britain gallery today as staff were preparing for the televised Turner prize awards ceremony.
Dozens of demonstrators made their way into the building on the north bank of the Thames in the run-up to event which was broadcast on Channel 4. Susan Philipsz won the £25,000 prize for her work Lowlands.
The protesters, numbering between 200 and 400 according to estimates, rendered the winner's announcement almost inaudible with their chants.
The students, some wearing dunce caps, refused to leave and organised a series of life drawing classes near the entrance to the central London gallery.
Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota acknowledged their presence and said "all" were concerned by proposed cuts to arts budgets.
He said: "Art should continue to be accessible to all no matter where you live or indeed whatever your wealth."
Philipsz gave them more direct support as she accepted the prize, saying: "I support artists against the cuts."
Speaking after the ceremony, she said: "I was a student protesting. I think they have every right to protest. I don't think they should cut the grants. My heart goes out to them."
A 45-year-old senior lecturer at Chelsea college of art and design, who did not wish to be named, said: "There was a free teach-in at 5 o'clock and various speakers came and talked about the consequences of the cuts on the arts and education. "When we tried to leave, we couldn't as there was a confusion over which exit to use. Some students wanted to get into the Turner prize gallery itself and they began to chant, 'break down the doors, free education for all'.
"I am here because I am a teacher and I oppose the cuts to public services and education bill and it will be an irreversible change to British life and culture and a whole. Many of the people who teach in college and art school were the same a generation who received free education. And we now teach and run universities and colleges throughout the college. We know that we wouldn't be where we are now if we faced £9,000 fees."
Supporters of the protest handed out leaflets outside the building warning that higher fees could lead to empty art schools.
A spokeswoman for Tate Britain confirmed: "There's a protest by about 30 students here against threatened government cuts to arts education funding. We understand that their protest is not directed at Tate."