Over 100 leading British artists have joined the campaign against the proposed 25-percent cuts in government funding of the arts on Saturday. Supporters of the artists' campaign will be asked to sign a petition which will be sent to Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt. The petition points out that it has taken 50 years to create a vibrant arts culture in Britain that is the envy of the world, and appeals to the government not to slash arts funding. It warns the government of risking destroying this long-term achievement and the social and economic benefits it brings to all. The artists acknowledge that reasonable cuts and efficiencies are necessary but they fear that the 25-percent cuts being proposed will destroy much of what has been achieved and will have a particularly damaging impact on national and regional museums and their collections. Robert Dufton, Paul Hamlyn Foundation director, said: 'We are pleased to support this campaign and hope that its message is taken on board. As independent funder of the arts we are aware of the effect that cuts will have on many of the organizations we support. We stand to lose a great deal as a society if arts organizations are forced to stop the very valuable work they do.' The campaign is being organized by the London branch of a national consortium of over 2,000 arts organizations and artists dedicated to working together and finding new ways to support the arts in Britain. Artists joined the campaign including David Hockney, Damien Hirst, Anthony Caro, Howard Hodgkin, Anish Kapoor, Richard Hamilton, Bridget Riley, Antony Gormley and Tracey Emin. 