Cultural venues big and small are set to benefit from a £15
million boost as part of the Government’s Cultural Development
Fund, which continues to level up access to the arts across the
country.
Successful bidders will share a pot of £15.2 million as part of
the fourth round of the popular scheme. The funding will help
create local job opportunities and new training places while
supporting local cultural institutions as they look to attract
tourists and new businesses, helping to grow the economy.
So far, 20 projects have received a combined total of £76.8
million since 2019, with arts centres, community venues and
heritage buildings among the beneficiaries. Previous funding
rounds are already making a real difference, with places like
Barnsley, Worcester, Plymouth, Stockport and the Isle of Wight
receiving transformative investment.
This year’s round will be the first time since 2019 that projects
in London are able to apply to the fund as well, expanding the
range of places that can benefit from Cultural Development Fund
investment.
Arts and Heritage Minister of Whitley Bay said:
I’ve been pleased to see how Government investment through the
Cultural Development Fund is already making a real difference to
people’s lives. The further funding announced today will extend
our work to level up access to arts and culture, ensuring that
everyone has high-quality opportunities on their doorstep, no
matter where they live.
I encourage applicants to put forward ambitious proposals which
will make a real difference to the lives of even more people
across the country, and help to preserve the UK’s position on the
world stage as a cultural and creative powerhouse.
Previous projects include:
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Plymouth City Council received £3.8 million from the Cultural
Development Fund round one. As a result of the project,
Market Hall at Devonport has become a destination for
businesses, schools and many more looking to access the
facilities or enjoy the immersive experiences, events,
workshops and children’s clubs on offer.
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The University of Kent was awarded £4.8 million in round one
for buildings in Medway, Purfleet and Thurrock to be
re-developed for creative use by communities.
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In round two, Barnsley Museums were awarded £3.9 million to
transform Elsecar Heritage Centre into a cultural and
creative industries hub by supporting additional community
activity and culturally-focused public realm works.
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Middlesbrough Council Cultural Services was awarded £4.3
million in round two to help deliver a package of
construction projects, making Centre Square into a hub for
creativity, and boosting digital skills. Events spaces and
galleries will also be added to Carnegie Library and
Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art thanks to the fund.
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£2.7 million awarded to Morecambe Winter Gardens in round
three will regenerate a Grade II-listed site to create a
venue with capacity of up to 2,500 to support local and
national promoters and artists in North Lancashire and
Cumbria.
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Also in round three, North Devon Council was awarded £3
million to refurbish two Grade II-Listed Buildings in
Barnstaple, creating an accessible learning and performance
venue in Bridge Chambers, and co-working, office and studio
space for creative industries, visual arts, community and
environmental groups.
The Cultural Development Fund was launched in 2019 to level up
the country through investment in culture and the creative
industries. By unlocking local growth and productivity, the fund
increases access to the arts and regenerates communities through
investment in cultural initiatives.
Arts Council England delivers this fund on behalf of the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Guidance has been published today to provide further information
for those considering making an application.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, said:
The Cultural Development Fund brings the transformative power of
creativity and culture to more people in more places, across the
country. By investing in the infrastructure that cultural
organisations need, we can help them make an even bigger impact
on the places where they’re based, benefiting the communities
they work with. We’re pleased to continue delivering it on behalf
of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, building on the
successes of the programme so far.
The Cultural Development Fund also builds on further support for
the cultural sector through the other two strands of the Cultural
Investment Fund; the Libraries Improvement Fund and the Museum
Estate and Development Fund, which have also provided more than
£50 million over two rounds.
