Prime Minister Tony Blair heralded a ‘golden age’ in our arts and creative industries in a keynote speech at Tate Modern in London.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published a report showing that the UK has become the world’s creative hub, which the Prime Minister has put down to a mixed economy that combines public and private investment.

According to Culture and Creativity 2007, all forms of the arts have enjoyed a renaissance, with record public attendance numbers at arts venues and British artists and performers winning awards worldwide.

The results reveal that, since 1997, investment to allow national museums to scrap admission charges led to an 83 per cent rise in visit numbers, with almost 30 million extra visits since 2001; more than 100 new arts buildings were built and almost 500 refurbished; and around 3,000 schools received an Artsmark to mark their commitment to music, dance, drama, art and design.

Research also shows that since extra funding was announced in 2001, audiences in seven main regional theatres increased by 40 per cent.

Government funding to Arts Council England also increased by 73 per cent since 1997, while DCMS investment in museums and galleries rose by 28 per cent.

Private investment in culture currently exceeds £500m a year.

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell said: “The transformation of the UK’s cultural life and creative industries since 1997 has been nothing short of staggering. Record investment from the government and soaring private sector support have reaped a fantastic dividend.

“Whether it’s stunning pieces of public art like the Angel of the North that millions have driven by on the A1, or the 330,000 young people from deprived areas that have taken part in our Creative Partnerships Programme, the UK’s cultural life has never been richer nor had such an impact on how we lead our lives.”