Cultural Investment Fund recipients revealed
A host of East Midlands councils and cultural organisations have been awarded cash from the Government’s Cultural Investment Fund to carry out projects ranging from the rejuvenation of a popular pier to much-needed maintenance work at an historic pumping station.
The fund is split into three streams covering cultural development, library improvements and museum development.
East Lindsey District Council has been handed £5m to transform the cultural assets on Skegness foreshore as part of a project dubbed “Cultural Revival: The Midlands Coast.”
The plans are being led by the council and overseen by the Connected Coast Board.
The funding, which is being delivered by Arts Council England, will be put towards a comprehensive revamp of the old Embassy Theatre and support the first phase of a multi-million-pound redevelopment project led by the Mellors Group to transform Skegness pier and its surroundings into a cultural destination.
Elsewhere in the East Midlands, Leicester (£135,000), Nottingham (£124,355) and Nottinghamshire’s Inspire Libraries (£50,586) have all been awarded cash to carry out wide-ranging library improvements.
Meanwhile, Wollaton Hall (£469,992), Papplewick Pumping Station (£518,000) and The West Shed Museum in Ripley (£68,000) have been handed a slice of the Government’s £86.6m Museum Estate and Development Fund, which helps fund urgent museum maintenance and infrastructure works.
Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England, 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 £58m 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.”
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, added: “Culture, heritage and the arts all contribute to people’s sense of belonging and place. These grants will help to reinforce this and we welcome them.”
