Rural audiences given boost by Arts Council England today!

Creative Arts East wins back core-funding with an offer of significant financial support for 2015-2018 as an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) 

Creative Arts East is an ambitious and go-ahead arts and community development charity working across Norfolk, parts of Suffolk and the wider eastern region. The charity’s focus is on engaging audiences who face geographical, physical or other barriers to experiencing and participating in cultural life through the very best arts and cultural provision possible.

To achieve this they provide rural touring services which support volunteers in rural communities to promote and manage professional live performance and film in venues such as village halls, pubs and libraries. Alongside this core service, a range of cultural projects for children, older people in care and unemployed individuals are delivered which ultimately support the achievement of the organisations stated vision – culturally vibrant, connected and motivated rural communities.

To support this work the Arts Council England has today recognised Creative Arts East among its portfolio of core-funded arts organisations, and as a result from April 2015, upon confirmation of contract details, the charity will receive £150,000 of core-funding per annum. The proposed NPO contribution is just under 30% of Creative Arts East’s anticipated income, which is also made up of local authority investment, earned income and additional fundraising.

Of their success today Executive Director Natalie Jode says “I am so thrilled that the hard work and ambition of the Creative Arts East team has been recognised by the Arts Council today as making a contribution to their goal of great art and culture for everyone. We are excited to apply our 20 year track record of making arts accessible in rural locations to complement the future Arts Council portfolio”.

To find out more about Creative Arts East, or discover what’s happening in your village hall, log on to  www.creativeartseast.co.uk

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