Swindon in line for extra culture cash
It's among 10 places in South West to be prioritised for £75 million of cultural funding
Swindon has been named as one of the top 10 places in the south west of England that will be placed on a priority list for cultural funding as part of the government’s levelling up drive.
The news comes as the Culture Secretary announces that by 2025 areas outside London will benefit from a £75 million boost in cultural funding.
Cultural investment outside London via the Arts Council is expected to rise to almost £250 million by 2025 – the equivalent to a 19 per cent increase by the final year of the Spending Review period. Arts Council England (ACE), which will oversee the distribution of the funds, will see its overall budget increase over the period.
The government set out a commitment to raise cultural spending significantly outside the capital in its Levelling Up White Paper. ACE currently spends £21 per head in London and an average of £6 per head in the rest of England.
The boost in financial support will ensure a better distribution of arts funding, help level up the country, and increase accessibility and opportunity in areas which have been culturally under-served in years gone by.
Areas in the South West are part of more than 100 ‘Levelling Up for Culture Places’ which will be targeted.
Organisations old and new will be encouraged to bid for funding.
Other local authority areas in the South West of England included on the list are the Forest of Dean, Isles of Scilly, North Devon, North Somerset, Sedgemoor, South Somerset, and Torridge.
Shahina Johnson is CEO and artistic director of Create Studios CIC in Swindon.
Create Studios is a social enterprise that invests in young people entering the digital creative industries.
Shahina said: “As well as receiving regular funding through Arts Council’s National Portfolio programme, support via DCMS through programmes like the Culture Recovery Fund has meant we can plan to sustain and grow successful models, and are emerging as national sector leaders in best practice around diverse talent development into the creative industries.
“We welcome the Government’s commitment to increased investment across England, especially in places like Swindon.
“We want to grow and retain talent in the South West, and investment into successful organisations and our facilities means that alumni don’t need to move away but can generate economic growth and creativity in their own localities.
“This will help to inspire the next generation of creatives and support a cycle of participation, talent development and employment in our region.”