Westmorland and Furness council has pledged £250,000 to cultural organisations in the council district through the council's new Culture Recovery Support Fund.
As part of the funding the council has offered Eden Arts £25,000 specifically towards the costs of the Winter Droving Event in Penrith.
Although it’s understood the council last month was still to honour payment of a pledge for funding to an event in Penrith in 2023 made by the former Eden District Council.
10 organisations have been offered £22,500 each. All are designated Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisations, recognised as key organisations delivering major programmes and events and representing an unrivalled cluster of cultural excellence in the north west of England, outside the metropolitan areas.
The 10 organisations are:
Art Gene - Barrow
Full of Noises - Barrow
Grizedale Arts - Coniston
Highlights Productions - Kirkby Stephen
Kendal Brewery Arts - Kendal
Lakeland Arts - Kendal
Lakes Arts Festivals - Windermere
Signal Film and Media - Barrow
Theatre Factory - Barrow
Wordsworth Trust - Grasmere
With the only funding in the local Penrith area going to Eden Arts specifically for the Winter Droving Event in Penrith.
The council has said the investment will ensure people who live, work and visit Westmorland and Furness have continued access to the diverse and distinctive range of opportunities to be creative as well as enjoying the high-quality cultural experiences, programmes and events provided by our network of National Portfolio Organisations.
National Portfolio Organisations are anchor venues and institutions that deliver key programmes of work, major events, major projects, key cultural activities and key strategic partnership.
Cllr Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities, said: "The economic impact of the Covid 19 pandemic is still being felt in the arts and cultural sector. During lockdowns our arts organisations showed incredible ingenuity and generosity, recreating their ‘offer’ for old and new audiences online and outdoors, often free of charge. They demonstrated their commitment to supporting the community’s health and wellbeing without direct reward.
“Now the cost of living crisis and energy price increases make it a continuing and difficult challenge for our arts organisations as they add to the vibrancy of our towns, to the visitor economy, to education and to the community. This fund goes some way towards helping, but I am conscious that this round of grants won’t help every brilliant arts organisation.
I truly wish there were more money available for this fund – but there will be other opportunities and together we’ll make Westmorland and Furness an even happier, buzzier, and a more creative place."
Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England, said: “I really welcome this valuable support from Westmorland and Furness Council.
People who live here are benefiting from having a council that prioritises culture and recognises the important role creativity has in supporting local economies and talent, health and wellbeing, and children and young people.
"On my recent visit I witnessed first-hand the brilliant creative activity taking place in Cumbria, as well as the value placed on the cultural sector by Westmorland and Furness Council. Culture and creativity are at the heart of the story they want to tell about living, working and studying here. Initiatives like the Culture Recovery Support Fund show they’re clearly committed to growing the cultural infrastructure across the region.”
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