Cumbria County Council has agreed grants of £265,000 for the coming year to support a range of arts and cultural projects across the county. The funding comes via the council’s cultural sector grants agreed at cabinet on the 15th March.
The money will provide much needed support for the county’s arts events and organisations, ranging from high-profile venues such as Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake to smaller-scale programmes like the Highlights rural touring scheme (who work with local people to promote high quality arts events in community village halls).
Councillor Roger Bingham, spokesman for culture said;
“Culture is one of Cumbria’s real assets and the council is committed to supporting the arts in our county. The support provided by these grants will help to create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to take part in a diverse range of high quality creative activity.”
The cultural sector grants always prove important as the financial support not only enables creative groups to undertake work in the community but also helps unlock significant sums from other national bodies. This year Cumbria County Council grant support has helped Eden Arts to successfully secure an extra £37,000 Arts Council England funding to develop support and training for up and coming writers in the County.
Carol Leathley, Community Development Officer (Culture), commented;
“We are really proud of Cumbria’s creative sector. This year we have been concentrating on supporting the wealth of talent in new writing, dance, creative industries and youth music across the County. In addition to the cultural sector grants we have launched the £500,000 Cumbria Youth Music Action Zone, with support from Youth Music. This scheme will provide many young people with their first experience of music. We have also worked with our partners to launch a £300,000 Cultural Business Venture Programme that provides sole traders in the creative industry sector with business support and investment funding.”
For further information on any of the projects above please contact Carol Leathley Community Development Officer (Culture). 01228 607289 or visit www.artefacts.org.uk.