I am delighted that Cannock Chase has been identified as one of the Government’s 109 priority places that can bid for investment in the arts and culture.
It’s a brilliant example of how the Government is working to level up the whole country by ensuring areas outside of London can reap the benefits of the UK’s rich arts and culture sector.
The aim is to generate more opportunities for people in the regions, with more arts jobs on offer and better access to cultural activities so people do not have to travel as far to see world-class arts.
An additional £75 million will be provided by 2025 to make sure places which have been culturally under-served in the past get a better distribution of arts funding.
Cultural investment by the government via Arts Council England (ACE) is expected to rise to almost £250 million by 2025 across England outside London. This is the equivalent to a 19 per cent increase by 2025, the final year of the Spending Review period.
Arts Council England will oversee the distribution of the funds which will support new and established thriving arts organisations in the regions so people can enjoy activities in their area.
We have a wealth of creative talent here in Cannock Chase and I hope that we can bid for this funding to help put us on the cultural map while bringing more jobs and regeneration to the area.
