- More than 100 areas with low cultural participation, including Burnley, will be prioritised for new arts funding thanks to extra Government funding.
- Antony Higginbotham MP is urging cultural organisations across Burnley and Padiham to bid for the funding which will increase by around £75 million by 2025.
- These plans, set out by the Conservative Government, aim to redress structural imbalances in distribution of Arts Council England funding and level up access to the arts, ensuring that arts and culture are accessible to everyone regardless of where they live.
Antony Higginbotham MP is encouraging cultural organisations across Burnley and Padiham to bid for funding from the £75 million boost in culture funding for English regions from the Conservative Government.
The boost in financial support will make sure places which have been culturally under-served in years gone by get a better distribution of arts funding and help level up people’s opportunities to enjoy and experience arts and culture.
As part of the plans, Arts Council England (ACE) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have identified 109 ‘Levelling Up for Culture Places’ which will be targeted for additional investment.
Organisations old and new in areas that historically have had low investment in arts and culture will be encouraged to bid for funds, meaning places such as Burnley, Blackburn, Hyndburn abd Pendle could be given the extra support they need to build on their rich cultural heritage.
Arts Council England will also detail plans to support London-based applicants which wish to move, expand, or establish new activity outside London, helping to deliver a truly national cultural offering.
The Government is delivering on its commitment set out in its Levelling Up White Paper to raise cultural spending significantly outside the capital, boosting opportunity for all.
Antony Higginbotham MP said:
For far too long cultural investment has been unfairly distributed, despite the wealth of talent spread right across the country.
That’s something I’ve been working to change – and having already secured increased funding for local organisations like Burnley Mechanics, BYT, Towneley and Gawthorpe Hall I’m committed to going even further.
The Government’s latest funding boost for cultural organisations in Burnley and Padiham will allow us to continue the mission to redress these structural imbalances and I’d encourage all those within the sector to bid for funds. For those who need any assistance please be in touch with my office and I’ll do all I can to help.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said:
I have said from day one in this role my priority is to increase access to arts and culture across the whole country.
Today marks a big step in achieving this aim as we shift new cultural investment into places previously at the back of the queue.
Culture enriches people’s lives. It entertains us, brings us together and can be a catalyst for regeneration. Everyone should have access to it no matter where they live or what their background.
