£1.6m boost for arts organisations in Midlands

ARTS Council England is investing £1.6 million in 12 arts and cultural organisations in Birmingham and the West Midlands to help them create a stronger financial footing.

Among those to benefit are Birmingham Opera Company, Black Country Touring and Orchestra of the Swan in Warwickshire.

The investment comes from the Arts Council’s Catalyst Evolve programme, aimed at supporting organisations with a limited track record in fundraising to attract more private giving.

It offers match funding to incentivise donors while investing in the skills and culture of the arts bodies to enable them to increase donations.

Money raised will be matched by the fund over the next three years.

Peter Knott, area director for Arts Council England, said: “Across the Midlands, arts and cultural organisations are working hard to secure alternative sources of income, which is why we launched our Catalyst Evolve programme to help support and develop long-term fundraising plans.

“Over the coming years, I’m looking forward to seeing how our match funding can make a real impact locally, delivering greater returns and helping our region’s world-class arts and culture continue to thrive.”

Six museums in the West Midlands will also receive a total of £414,000, including the Lapworth Geology Museum at the University of Birmingham and the Museum of Cannock Chase The 12 successful organisations in the West Midlands to receive a total investment of £1.6 million are: ACE Dance and Music BE Festival Craftspace Writing West Midlands (Birmingham) (Birmingham) Services for Educations (Birmingham) ............................................... £150,000 (Birmingham)....................................................................... £100,000 Birmingham Opera Company (Birmingham) (Birmingham) Orchestra Of The Swan ( Warwickshire) ................................. £150,000 ..................................................................... £150,000 ............................................. £150,000 .............................................. £142,100 Black Country Touring (Sandwell) ........................................................ £150,000 The People’s Orchestra (Sandwell) ....................................................... £150,000 Arts Alive in Shropshire and Herefordshire (Shropshire) ............. £120,000 The Hive (HMM Arts Ltd) (Shropshire) ................................................... £92,185 Pentabus Arts Limited (Shropshire) ........................................................ £98,890 ............................................ £150,000