The prospect of leaving the EU has been variously described as a “nightmare”, “artistic isolation” and a “huge creative step backwards” by arts leaders surveyed by the Media.

The vast majority of figures contacted from a Gardian Journalists team, and many more responding to a Guardian appeal, said they were against the UK leaving the union for both practical and emotional reasons.

Many voiced fears about barriers to the free movement of labour and the loss of access to EU arts funding.

Alistair Spalding, chief executive of Sadler’s Wells theatre in London, one of the UK’s most internationally diverse venues, said he could not think of a single advantage to leaving, but foresaw many problems.

"There is the nightmare of visa and work permit applications that we have to do. It is less complex for countries in the EU but that would all be thrown up in the air… we would have to bring in more staff to deal with it... Honestly, I don’t think people really understand what a nightmare it is. Leaving Europe, for our business, it’s bad".