Museums receive funding boost after Arts Council pledge

The national organisation has unveiled its investment plans for the next four years which now includes Wolverhampton's Newhampton Arts Centre, which is to receive £180,000 over four years.

The centre is one of seven organisations being funded by the council through its National Portfolio. The other six will receive funding at the same level as 2017/18, £8,694,480 over four years from 2018 to 2022.

The other organisations include the Black Country Museum, Wolverhampton's Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Walsall's New Art Gallery.

Newhampton Arts Centre manager Christine McGowan said: "This is a real vote of confidence for us and the work we do. We are absolutely delighted.

"We have been surviving for the last few years without any funding at all and so we have demonstrated that we are sustainable, efficient, and really needed in the community.

"If we look at the last event we held at the centre over the weekend, were we had children as young as four painting with more than 50 professional artists for Paint the Day - it gives an example of how our work delivers arts and culture to a wide spectrum of people from across the community. That's what we're really about and what this funding will enable us to continue to do."

Peter Knott, area director, Arts Council England said: “We’re delighted to unveil our ambitious new portfolio reaching more people in more places across the Midlands than ever before.

“The Arts Council is investing more money than ever before outside London, we’re introducing 42 new organisations, including museums and libraries for the first time, as well as continuing to fund current organisations. We’ve been able to offer an increase to a small number of organisations we currently fund who made an exceptional case. The Midlands already boasts a vibrant cultural scene with an international reputation for excellence and we look forward to seeing more great art and culture being enjoyed by more audiences in more places.”

Wolverhampton Art Gallery is also to receive an extra £431,723 for its building and equipment. It is described as "a local gallery with a strong regional and national reputation, commissioning and presenting work from local, national and international artists. It provides studio spaces for artists and a varied programme of participatory and learning opportunities for different audiences."

It is hoped that the investment will help the gallery to undertake new literary activity, build relationships with local organisations and engage with communities and audiences.

Peter Knott continued: "This is fantastic news for the Midlands. Arts and culture plays a vital role in making the area a great place to live, work and study and we’re pleased to be investing in projects which will benefit local people and their communities. By ensuring arts and cultural venues have the buildings and equipment they need we are helping to ensure the region’s creative economy will thrive."

Peter Phillips, chairman, Midlands area council, Arts Council England, said: “Everyone should have opportunities to enjoy great art and culture and this portfolio certainly promises to do just that. Building on the thriving arts and cultural organisations in the Midlands, we’re offering a greater diversity of organisations which is crucial to keeping our culture vibrant and representative of the country we live in. We want to support arts and cultural organisations to break down barriers and create more opportunities to bring creativity and talent to the fore."

The news comes as earlier this year, Wolverhampton Art Gallery revealed its plans for a £2.8 million revamp which could see its popular cafe to be expanded and moved.

Work on the first phase of the project is expected to start in autumn and be completed next spring.