LONDON, ENGLAND.- Arts Council England, the national development agency for the arts in England, is celebrating its 60th anniversary. And in the East Midlands they want you to debate the arts while you’re having a quiet pint in your local!

In order to mark their birthday they have commissioned and produced a series of everyday objects in order to bring art into daily life.

The first was a successful collaboration with Sainsbury’s for specially commissioned reusable bags carrying designs by leading artists. The second venture involved a series of artist designed travel wallets – including one by Turner Prize winner Tracey Emin.

Now in the East Midlands the Arts Council wants to encourage people to join their arts debate.

One hundred thousand beer mats are being circulated to pubs in Nottingham, Leicester, Lincoln, Derby and Northampton.

The series poses questions about contemporary art, theatre, public art, music and dance.

On the reverse it says: ‘Join in. Many of us are passionate about the arts, some enjoy the arts occasionally with friends and family. Some people think they’re not interested, but go to the cinema, listen to music and read books. What do the arts mean to you? Get involved - artsdebate.co.uk’

Laura Dyer, Executive Director, Arts Council England, East Midlands says: ‘We hope the questions on the beer mats will stimulate people to talk about the arts and to get involved with the Arts Council’s first ever-public enquiry about the value of the arts and public funding by taking part in our on-line debate at www.artsdebate.co.uk’