Dorset Council giving £486,000 to local arts organisations

They've agreed grants for the next three years

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 10th Jan 2024

Nearly half a million pounds of funding has been agreed for Dorset arts organisations for the next three years, from the Council.

They've awarded a total of £217,000 for arts and heritage groups and £269,000 for accredited museums.

The authority says the cash is to 'ensure residents and communities have cultural benefit around the county'.

Laura Beddow, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities, said:

“I’m pleased that we have been able to help so many organisations to bring arts and heritage to all corners of the council’s area. It will make a lot of difference for the people of Dorset.”

Here's the list of organisations getting support:

  • Activate - £25,000
  • Artsreach - £43,000
  • B-side - £15,000
  • Bridport Arts Centre/Lyric Theater - £25,000
  • Dorchester Arts - £20,000
  • Dorset Visual Arts - £10,000
  • Marine Theatre - £20,000
  • Mowlem Theatre - £20,000
  • Sandy Hill Arts - £10,000
  • Shaftesbury Arts Centre - £5,000
  • The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares - £5,000
  • Walford Mill - £10,000
  • West Bay Discovery Centre - £10,000
  • Blandford Fashion Museum - £9,000
  • Blandford Forum Museum - £10,000
  • Bridport Museum Trust - £40,000
  • Keep Military Museum - £5,000
  • Lyme Regis Philpott Museum - £20,000
  • Museum of East Dorset - £45,000
  • Nothe Fort - £25,000
  • Portland Museum - £15,000
  • Shaftesbury Abbey - £10,000
  • Sherborne Museum - £10,000
  • Sturminster Newton Heritage Museum - £10,000
  • Swanage Museum - £10,000
  • Weymouth Museum Trust - £10,000

Paul Angel, Chair of Mowlem Theatre in Swanage, said:

“We are thrilled to have been awarded a grant from the Dorset Council Organisational Revenue Support Fund. This is the first time The Mowlem has received revenue funding and it's so valuable to us as a growing organisation, providing three years of reliable funds to help us develop our ambitions. We know that our community will be as thrilled with the news as we are!”

Zilla Brown, from Sturminster Heritage Trust, works with a volunteer team who manage both Sturminster Mill and Museum, said:

“Our revenue grant form Dorset Council will make a really positive difference to our capacity to manage both our sites and our events & outreach programming. It means we can continue to conserve our iconic buildings, introduce new interpretation, and provide lots of learning and engagement opportunities for our young people and the wider community."

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