Many on the Island have been awaiting this announcement of have they/haven’t they got funding from the Arts Council with trepidation. There was a very real fear that it would be make or break.
If you use it, or even if you don’t, the mere fact of Quay Arts actually existing on the Isle of Wight plays such an important role in the essence of the Island (one of the reasons we support it so much through On The Wight), the thought of it not surviving was too horrible to consider. With this news, we all know that it’s saved for a little while longer. It will still need all of our support, so please do what you can when and where you can. This in their words – Ed.
Quay Arts is to receive £93,000 from the Arts Council through the ‘Grants for the Arts’ scheme. The money will fund a series of projects over the next 18 months which are designed to support the Quay and its ability to deliver an excellent artistic offer in the immediate and the long-term future.
New strategic direction
Following the announcement in March 2011 that Quay Arts would no longer receive regular core funding from the Arts Council, Quay Arts undertook an organisational development process which addressed how it approached the loss of core funding.
Through the process Quay Arts consulted widely and the results informed a new strategic direction which will see the Quay develop into an arts hub for the Island with a focus on developing talent.
This new direction will both address the needs of the audience and the creative community on the Island, as well as the organisational need to operate a robust and viable business model.
Grant of £93,000
An application to the Arts Council for a grant of £93,000, was submitted in April this year and the announcement of its success was made this week.
Jo Cowan, Quay Arts Director said: “The funding awarded will go to support two project strands which will not only offer opportunities for people to engage with and create great art but will also develop the Quay’s capacity to deliver and sustain an excellent artistic offer in the longer term. We are delighted to have been successful and look forward to this new challenge.”
These two projects, to be delivered between August 2012 and March 2014, look to:
- Develop the organisation and its leadership
- Make a difference – through developing opportunities for children and young people, raising ambition
- Support creative talent
- Offer a high quality, professional programme, and
- Secure the long term provision of arts on the Isle of Wight.
“Delighted to have achieved this funding”
Mike Fisher, Chair of the Trustees, said: “We are delighted to have achieved this funding and believe it demonstrates the Arts Council’s commitment to our future plans. Receiving this funding is the first step to ensuring that the Quay remains a viable operation in the future and is able to continue to deliver an exciting programme of arts for everyone on the Island.”
Sally Abbott, Arts Council, Regional Director, said: “A grant of £93,106 has been made to Quay Arts to help the organisation strengthen its business and artistic capacity. The funding will support a new artistic programme and ensure that they are equipped to develop and grow as an organisation. Grants for the arts is Arts Council England’s open application funding programme. It invests National Lottery money to support activities that engage people in the arts and helps artists and arts organisations with their work.”
Further details of the changes being planned will be announced following consultation with the Quay’s staff team.
