Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, was pleased to learn that more Wealden artists have been able to benefit from funding provided by Arts Council England.
Alongside delivering the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, Arts Council England has continued to support the nation’s creative and cultural sector through its regular investment programmes: Developing Your Creative Practice and National Lottery Project Grants. Between January and July 2021, the Arts Council invested a total of £52,622 via these two programmes in Wealden. This funding was distributed amongst several Wealden musicians, performers, choreographers, singers and researchers to aid with projects such as studio equipment, theatre production development, choir training, book writing and script writing.
Earlier this year, six cultural sites and entertainment businesses in Wealden received grants totalling £521,901. Successful recipients included the Lavender Line and independent cinemas in Uckfield and Hailsham, while Farleys House and Gallery, Bluebell Railway and Sussex Archaeological Society have already benefited from the first round of funding announced in October last year.
Nusrat Ghani said: “I am constantly campaigning to secure more Government funding for Wealden, and I am delighted that these further grants will ensure that our local artists continue to thrive post-pandemic. It is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate Wealden’s history, and the Culture Recovery Fund has provided a vital financial lifeline to many local cultural venues. There is more to be done to support Wealden post-pandemic and I will continue to campaign for more funding for the constituency.”
