£48 million to improve access to cultural heritage

More than 60 organisations in England will receive a share of £48 million which is being released as part of the government’s Cultural Investment Fund.

It means that galleries, museums, libraries and other cultural venues across the country will receive funding to improve people’s access to the arts, safeguard cultural assets for future generations, and power economic growth through culture.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has said that the investment will support larger public venues, such as Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, as well as  smaller venues such as True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum in King’s Lynn.

Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “Culture is the bedrock of society. It brings people together, entertains and informs us, and helps us to understand our common past and shared future. Today we are announcing a raft of new funding for treasured cultural institutions up and down the country.

“This will help them to continue their great work, advance our work to level up access to arts and culture so they can be enjoyed by people no matter where they live, and protect these cherished institutions for future generations to enjoy.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive Officer, Arts Council England, said: “Our artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries are experts in making villages, towns and cities better places to live, work, visit or play. This investment means they’ll be able to help more people across England to lead happier, more creative lives.”

The Cultural Development Fund aims to give people access to arts and culture in areas with historically low levels of cultural engagement and boost economic growth. The first round of funding announced in 2019 saw Grimsby, the Thames Estuary, Plymouth, Wakefield and Worcester receive a share of £20 million to invest in culture, heritage and the creative industries. The latest announcement sees seven regional organisations given money for culture-led regeneration projects.