The Isle of Wight is one of 109 places across the country that will benefit from a slice of £75m in new arts funding by 2025.
The plans were announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on Wednesday make sure places which have been culturally under-served in the past get a better distribution of arts funding.
Better access to cultural activities
They say the aim is to generate more opportunities for people, with more arts jobs on offer and better access to cultural activities so people do not have to travel as far to see world-class arts.
The Island’s neighbours Gosport and Portsmouth are also included on the list of priority areas.
Across England (outside London) cultural investment by the government via Arts Council England (ACE) is expected to rise to almost £250 million by 2025.
‘Levelling Up for Culture Places’
ACE and DCMS 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.
Commissioner for Cultural Recovery and Renewal Lord Mendoza said,
Culture policy will play a critical role in levelling up.
This announcement confirms an increase in financial support which will enable more people and more places across the country to play a part in the nation’s outstanding cultural sector.
Serota: “Will enable more people to reap the benefits of arts and culture”
Arts Council England chair Sir Nicholas Serota said,
“The Arts Council welcomes this increase in funding from the government.
“It will enable more people in more places to reap the benefits of arts and culture and will accelerate our commitment to parts of the country that deserve more investment.
“We will be able to do more to nurture new creative talent, support work that makes us healthier and happier, renew our high streets and, above all, ensure that everyone, everywhere has the opportunity of a rich cultural and creative life.”
The future is looking bright for those working in the creative industries on the Isle of Wight, which represent over 30 per cent of Island employment.
Image: Ventnor Exchange, 11 Church Street, Ventnor
