What Labour would do

• A biennial Festival of Britain to celebrate British achievements in the arts
• A nationwide reduced-rate ticket scheme to mimic the National Theatre's £10 deals
• After 2012, Lottery money diverted to the Olympics will return to the arts
• Creative bursaries to support artistically gifted young people at the start of their careers
• Free admission to museums and galleries will be maintained
• Every child will have lifetime library membership from birth

What the Conservatives would do

• Rebuild our "broken economy" by making Britain a hub for hi-tech, digital and creative industries
• Promote and protect a strong and independent BBC by ensuring that it is properly audited by the National Audit Office
• The Tory shadow culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, promises the arts "won't be singled out" for cuts under a Tory government, although "the honest position to take is to say that it is going to be tough in every department"

What the Lib Dems would do

• Maintain free entry to national museums and galleries and open up the government art collection for greater public use
• Set up a creative enterprise fund offering training, mentoring and small grants or loans to help creative businesses get off the ground
• Cut red tape for putting on live music by reducing the need to apply for entertainment licences
• Use cash in dormant betting accounts to set up a capital fund for improving local sports facilities and supporting clubs
• Ensure that the BBC remains strong, free from interference and securely funded