Culture cash gives arts group major lift

FOUR cultural organisations have been awarded National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) funding by Arts Council England.

Your Trust, English Folk Expo, Cartwheel Arts and M6 Theatre Company were the organisations awarded NPO funding in Rochdale for 2023 through 2026.

Your Trust, a charity which runs culture and leisure in the borough, such as the Touchstones museum, received £325,000.

Mark Doyle, Head of Arts, Engagement and Heritage at Touchstones Rochdale said: “For several years now we’ve been working closely with our diverse local communities, with co-creation at the heart of much of our creative activities and collections. The stability and scale of NPO funding over the next three years will enable us to build on these strong foundations and make a significant and meaningful contribution to Let’s Create.”

English Folk Expo, a Rochdale-based charity which supports the English folk, roots and acoustic music sector received £96,748. In a post on Facebook they said: “We are extremely grateful to have our work championing the folk, roots and acoustic music sector in England valued in this way and look forward to continue our ambitions to support sustainable careers in the sector, as well as build and develop new markets for this fantastic but specialist genre.”

Cartwheel Arts, which promotes social inclusion, cohesion and diversity through the arts was awarded £157,930 while M6 Theatre Company was awarded £300,000.

Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority lead for culture said: “Culture and the arts is so important, and the National Portfolio announcement by Arts Council England is brilliant news for our borough. This is significant investment that will really expand opportunities for creative engagement and employment for residents.

“It also shows the level of confidence Arts Council England have for our plans and for the progress that has already been made.”