An Arts Council England grant awarded to North Kesteven District Council will secure delivery of the District’s arts service over the forthcoming three years.
The continuation of funding for the cultural programme delivered by the Hub enables the Council to sustain the positive contribution it makes to the Arts Council’s Let’s Create Strategy.
The three-year funding, totalling more than £600,000, is a share of more than £6m heading into Lincolnshire as Arts Council England backs art, culture, and creativity for more people in more places, across the country through to 2026; ensuring that more people in more places can find fantastic, fulfilling art and culture on their doorsteps.
North Kesteven District Council leader Cllr Richard Wright said:
“This is excellent news not only for the programme of exhibitions, dance, community outreach and core functions at the Hub that we promote for North Kesteven, but also in the development of a vibrant cultural programme across Lincolnshire.
“Having recently invested £1.2m in the transformation and expansion of creative spaces within the Hub and seen it flourish and grow as a literal hub for the community and cultural activity within Sleaford, it is particularly encouraging that Arts Council England is continuing to recognise Hub-Sleaford as an established and renowned cultural organisation integral to its national portfolio."
“This was seen and experienced to great effect through last spring’s RiverLight Festival where the Hub and its team was critical to a broad cultural collaboration so much greater than the sum of its parts, that really lifted the town and proved the power of arts engagement in facilitating economic and communal bounce back from the pandemic.”
Peter Knott, Area Director for Arts Council England said:
"We want creative communities in every corner of the country to have the opportunity to thrive, which is why we're delighted to be supporting the Hub-Sleaford over the next three years. The partnership will give local people the opportunity to take part in a range of cultural activities from visual to performing arts and it'll be great to see them engage with audiences in the heart of Lincolnshire."
“We’re delighted to unveil our ambitious new portfolio, reaching more people in more places across Lincolnshire than ever before.
“The Arts Council is investing more money outside London, and we’re introducing five new organisations locally. Lincolnshire already boasts a vibrant cultural scene with an international reputation, and we look forward to supporting more opportunities for even more communities across the region to experience creativity on their doorsteps.”
Arts Council England Chair, Sir Nicholas Serota, said:
“As well as continuing our commitment to our many established and renowned cultural organisations, I am deeply proud of the support we will be giving to those new organisations which will help ignite creativity across the country. We are facing economic pressures at present, but this funding is about an investment in our future. This portfolio will support the next generation of visionary inventors, makers, performers and artists. In particular, the growth of our funding for organisations that support and develop work for children represents a profoundly important long-term investment in our country’s talent.”