A total of £250,000 has been pledged to cultural organizations in Westmoreland and Furness through the council’s new Cultural Recovery Support Fund.
Ten organizations have been provided with £22,500 each and one organization £25,000 as part of Westmorland Furnace Council’s 2023/24 Priority Investment Plan. They are all designated Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisations, and are recognized as leading organizations delivering major programs and events and representing the unique collection of cultural excellence in the North West of England outside the metropolitan areas. I am.
The 10 organizations are:
Art Gene.
Full of noise.
Grizedale Arts;
Highlight works;
Kendall Brewery Arts.
Lakeland Arts;
Lakes Arts Festival;
signal film and media.
theater factory.
Wordsworth’s Confidence.
Eden Arts has been provided with £25,000 to specifically fund a winter driving event in Penrith.
This investment will ensure that people who live, work and visit Westmorland and Furness not only enjoy the high-quality cultural experiences, programs and events offered by our network of national portfolio organizations, but also provide a diverse range of creative opportunities. and continued access to unique opportunities. .
This one-off scheme is one of 14 projects agreed by council ministers representing a £5m priority investment in Westmoreland and Furness in 2023/24. These projects reflect the new council’s key priorities for the region, including funding for local areas, biodiversity and nature, sustainable transport, social care, children, culture and education. There is.
Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Secretary for Sustainable Communities and Regions, said: “The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the arts and culture sector. “Arts organizations have shown incredible ingenuity and generosity in replicating their ‘suggestion’.” Both online and out-of-home, we reached new and old audiences, often for free, demonstrating our commitment to supporting the health and well-being of our communities without direct compensation.
“The current cost of living crisis and rising energy prices pose ongoing and difficult challenges for the vitality of our cities, our tourist economy, our education, and the arts organizations that keep our communities vibrant.
“While this fund is helping in some way, we know that this grant will not help all great arts organizations. I really wish more money was available for this fund. However, there will be other opportunities and we look forward to working together to make Westmorland and Furness an even happier, busier and more creative place. ”
Darren Henry, chief executive of Arts Council England, said: “We warmly welcome the valuable support from Westmorland and Furness Council. The people who live here prioritize culture and the importance of creativity in supporting our local economy and talent, health and wellbeing, children and young people. We are benefiting from a council that recognizes the role we play.
“During my recent visit, I witnessed first-hand the brilliant creative work taking place in Cumbria and the value that Westmoreland and Furness Council is giving to the cultural sector. is the center of the story we want to tell.”
The National Portfolio Organization is the anchor venue and institution that is the cultural foundation of Westmoreland and Furness, delivering major programs of work, major events, major projects, major cultural activities and key strategic partnerships.