LOCAL government spending cuts have forced the closure of the agency behind some of the North East’s biggest cultural events.

Durham City Arts (DCA) blamed a decision by the county council to cut funding for its decision to close its doors at the end of March.

A statement from the charity, which was instrumental in introducing book festivals, brass music festivals and a light festival to the city, said: “Durham City Arts has run an amazing series of series of arts programmes and events worth over £1.1m since 2006.

“However, despite this success, Durham County Council has made the decision that no future funding was possible for the company, as it implements its programme of budget reductions to cope with a 30% cut in Government grant.

“This decision follows that of Arts Council England, which had announced the company would be among hundreds to be cut from its new national portfolio. The Arts Council itself has restructured nationally in response to its own funding cuts of 15%.

“Without this core funding, Durham City Arts could no longer see a way forward financially and sadly made the decision to wind up the company.”

Founded by Durham City Council in 1990, DCA’s mission was to promote, improve and advance engagement with the arts.

Each of the three key profile festivals in Durham began life with DCA: the Durham Book Festival was developed and produced by DCA between 1990 and 2010; the Brass Music Festival produced by DCA between 2001 and 2007; and 2008’s Enlightenment, which was Durham’s first international light festival and the forerunner to the hugely-successful Lumiere Festival of Light.