Dench concerned with British arts funding

LONDON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- British actress Judi Dench said she is concerned the arts in her country are paying the price for holding the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Dench, known for her roles in movies such as "Mrs. Brown" and "Goldeneye," said support for the arts is playing second fiddle to funding for Olympic preparations, The Times of London reported Friday.

"I am concerned that they've taken a lot of the subsidy to the arts away for the Olympics. It's been siphoned off," Dench, 75, said.

The actress also voiced concerns of how the economic downturn has impacted the arts in Britain.

"There's no question that the recession has had an effect on the arts, especially on British films," she told The Times. "Things are not being greenlit as much and it is more difficult for people to get work."

The Times said due to the cost of the 2012 Olympics, the United Kingdom Film Council is expected to lose 15 percent of its lottery funding during the next five years.