Arts Everywhere Fund and Museum Renewal Fund
The Government has today announced new and significant investment in arts and culture. The £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund is a major boost to encourage growth in arts venues, museums libraries and the heritage sectors. Part of this funding is a new, £20 million Museum Renewal Fund to support regional civic museums.
The announcement will be formally made today by Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, at an inaugural lecture in Stratford-upon-Avon to mark the 60th anniversary of the first ever arts white paper by former Minister Jennie Lee. The lecture will be given to a select audience of leading figures from across the arts and culture sector, which will include Hampshire Cultural Trust’s CEO, Paul Sapwell, a prominent member of the English Civic Museums Network that has been actively lobbying the government to provide just this kind of support for the sector.
Paul Sapwell commented:
“We hugely welcome today’s announcement by the Government of £270 million investment into the cultural sector, including a £20 million Museum Renewal Fund to support regional civic museums. This funding for local culture is unprecedented and we are pleased that the Government has listened and responded to voices from across the sector, in particular the English Civic Museums Network, of which we are an active member. We also welcome the continued investment in the MEND fund that provides support for vital infrastructure work in museums, as well as the funding for theatres, national museums and heritage at risk.
“We’re delighted that the Government has recognised the compelling case for investment in local culture as part of its growth agenda. This critical funding will help to stabilise a sector which has seen real terms reductions in funding of almost 40% over the last decade. Civic museums are not just a fundamental part of England’s cultural, creative and social fabric: they are a catalyst for growth on our high streets, generating £3 of economic output for every £1 in funding they receive, helping our towns and cities to thrive.”