Stuart Anderson MP is delighted that Wolverhampton has been chosen as one of the key locations to be prioritised for new funding in arts and culture. It is part of the biggest shake-up in arts funding for a generation, helping to bring an end to the geographical funding divide. The plans will help to increase and better distribute funding for the sector in places that have been previously overlooked or neglected.
Stuart has welcomed the plans, which will facilitate a sea change in investment and ensure that the arts are accessible to everybody. It is backed by an extra £75 million funding to level up access to arts and culture for people in 109 locations across England. In his submission to the Spending Review, Stuart had called on the Government to find new, more meaningful ways to engage communities with the arts and culture. He is delighted this is now coming into fruition, with investment in the sector set to rise to almost £250 million by 2025 in England outside London. This is equivalent to a 19 per cent increase by the final year of the Spending Review period.
The sector supports around 2,500 jobs in Wolverhampton, so Stuart has been holding Ministers to account on their funding commitments. He has now praised this plan, which aims to generate even more opportunities for local people and to level up access so that people do not have to travel far to see world-class arts. Arts Council England will distribute the funds. Applications will open on Monday 28 February 2022 and close on Wednesday 18 May 2022. More details can be found at www.artscouncil.org.uk/get-funding/2023-26-investment-programme.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “COVID- 19 has reminded us of the value that arts and culture have in our lives. I am delighted that Wolverhampton has been identified as a key location to benefit from increased investment. It will build on over £2 million from the Culture Recovery Fund, enabling us to unlock even more careers and build infrastructure in this valued sector. This will ensure that more people have access to cultural and creative opportunities.”
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.”