City to share in culture cash pot
Cultural groups in Sunderland are in line for a share in a £75m boost for the arts.
The area, along with nine others in the North East and 100 nationally, is being ‘prioritised’ in a shake-up of Arts Council England funding.
ThemoveispartoftheGovernment’s promised ‘levelling up’ policy and local organisations will be encouraged to bid for funding from the Levelling Up for Culture Places project.
The other areas in the region to be targeted in the cash shake-up are South Tyneside, Hartlepool, North Tyneside, County Durham, Northumberland, Redcar & Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington and Middlesbrough.
Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “As I’ve known all my life, the North East is home to some fantastic cultural institutions and brilliantly creative people.
“Buthistorically,theregion hasn’t benefited as much as other areas from the funding which comes from taxpayers rightacrossthecountry.That’s what the changes we’re making will address.
“We want to help our ex
isting cultural organisations continuetothriveandexpand, while unleashing more of the artistic passion and creative brilliance we all know there is across the North East.”
Levelling Up for Culture Places were identified by the Department for Digital, Culture,MediaandSportandArts Council England as areas of historic low cultural engagement and spending.
Rebecca Ball, chief executive of Sunderland Culture, said: “Long-term investment in culture, through Arts Council England, makes an incredibly positive and powerful contribution to Sunderland and its diverse communities.
“Money we have received has enabled exhibitions, performances
and activities that both attract visitors and enhance the quality of life for the people who live and work here, supporting health and wellbeing.
“Public investment has supported the growth of a more resilient, diverse and sustainable cultural economy.”
The money is expected to bring the amount available through Arts Council England to promote cultural activities outside London to almost £250m by 2025.
The regional cash boost comes after it was found Arts Council England spends £21 per head in London – but an average of £6 per head in the rest of England.