Funding pledge to protect rural arts

Jun 6 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

ARTS chiefs have promised that regardless of how much cash is available to hand out, they remain as committed as ever to rural causes.

As Government departments and quangos across the country adjust to the tight three-year spending settlement which started last month, arts bosses have renewed their pledge to ensure Northumberland and Durham do not miss out.

Mark Robinson, executive director of the Arts Council North East, told The Journal the quango is committed to maintaining a fair approach to Northern arts. The Council has decided to “rural proof” all policies to ensure no urban funding decisions have a negative impact on services that should be available for the countryside.

Mr Robinson said he was aware that some districts might appear to receive less from the council, but that overall the quango was still providing a strong level of support.

He said: “The main thing for us is how do we get more great art to more people, and people who live in Wansbeck or Northumberland have as much right as anyone else to this.

“Part of the funding breakdown is about who asks us for help, and obviously if we are asked for less from one district then we will spend less there, but we regularly fund a lot of rural organisations and have done for a number of years.”

Mr Robinson added that the Arts Council also lends its support to a variety of schemes, and many projects in the region have succeeded as a result of their backing.

He said: “The Couple in Newbiggin, which was funded by Defra, was part of the improvement to the bay, and the point that helps us make is that we should not just be judged by direct involvement in funding.

“There are a lot of examples of where we have championed arts in rural areas and that is just as important.

“Our national research showed that people who live in rural areas are actually more likely to visit an arts project than in cities, and we want to encourage that.

“If they are in community centres or village halls then they are community events. Yes, there are transport problems in rural areas, but we also see opportunities there.”

The arts council also puts money into the Rewards for All grants, an easier application process for grass roots events. These figures do not show up in individual break downs of arts funding, but the scheme is one of the council’s most over-subscribed funding pots.

“The good thing about this scheme is that it brings us into contact with people who we do not already know. We put a lot of time into promoting this scheme and maybe there is more to be done on this, but we are proud of our reputation of encouraging people to apply.”