£58 million boost for museums, cultural organisations and libraries
The latest funding decisions for the Cultural Investment Fund have been announced today.
The Cultural Investment Fund, delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is a package of the three capital funds: the Museum Estate and Development Fund, Libraries Improvement Fund and Cultural Development Fund. It is designed to protect and improve people’s access to culture, regenerate communities, upgrade buildings and digital infrastructure and use investment to promote economic growth.
Round 2 of the Museum Estate and Development Fund and Libraries Improvement Fund, and round 3 of the Cultural Development Fund will see more than 70 cultural projects across the country given a financial boost by the government. It means they’ll be able to open up the arts to more people, support local economic growth through culture and safeguard vital regional collections for future generations.
Recipients include the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, which will receive £5 million from the Cultural Development Fund to improve facilities and accessibility and support local education, health and wellbeing projects. While £350,000 of the Museum Estate and Development Fund will go to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, the first publicly funded museum outside London, to improve infrastructure and protect its nationally important collections covering social and natural history.
In Stockton-on-Tees, £50,000 will allow the library service to update equipment and develop new programmes and opportunities for library users to engage with technology. Cannon Hall Museum in Barnsley has been awarded nearly £900,000 to protect its stunning Grade II* listed country house and collection of fine art.
In total £58,826,502 has been invested in 71 projects through the Cultural Investment Fund. This is broken down between:
- round 2 of MEND: 36 projects receiving a share of £21,477,403
- round 2 of LIF: 27 projects receiving a share of £4,917,597
- round 3 of CDF: 8 projects receiving a share of £32,431,502
Our Chief Executive Darren Henley said: “Investment in creativity and culture is a catalyst for improving well-being and raising aspirations, reinvigorating pride in communities, regenerating high streets and local economies, and bringing people together. We are pleased to play a part in delivering the Cultural Investment Fund and this £58 million investment will help create new, or improve existing, cultural buildings and spaces in our villages, towns and cities. By doing so it will support recovery and growth and unlock the creative potential of those who live and work in communities across England.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “Culture is at the heart of our communities. It helps us create lifelong memories with our families and friends, provides entertainment and joy, and allows us to explore the world around us in new and exciting ways. It is also an economic powerhouse boosting tourism and attracting investment.
“We are absolutely committed to opening up access to arts and culture for everyone, no matter where they live, and this funding will support our brilliant arts organisations to upgrade their venues, collections and kick off new projects.”
