Salford to receive nearly £750k in arts and culture funding

Salford is set to receive nearly £750k in arts and culture funding which will promote local festivals and creative workshops for all ages.

The £749,600 grant from Arts Council England National Lottery Projects will fund a three-year programme allowing cultural organisations and creative groups to reach people across the community.

With the money, RHS Bridgewater will develop a new traditional woodland craft activities programme, Walk the Plank will train ‘Creative Explorers’ to bring new creativity and adventure to city events and a series of festivals will take place across the city.

Local artists and creative groups will also be invited to develop and test new event ideas through a ‘Make it in Salford’ programme and schools in the city will get creative through new artist commissions led by the Salford Local Cultural Education Partnership.

The announcement and confirmation of the funding follows a bid submitted by Salford Culture and Place Partnership, led by Salford City Council.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “This is great news for the city and our residents.

“The successful bid and funding from the Arts Council England will enable the city’s rich, vibrant and unique cultural ecology to further our commitments to animating the city and place-making, making Salford a destination and a place where artists, creatives and makers from all walks of life can live, work and make their work, whilst also ensuring that art, creativity and making are accessible for everyone in the city.

“This crucial funding, especially in this 13th year of austerity and with on-going financial challenges in local government, will now mean that plans for a programme of events, developed with partners and residents, can now be brought to fruition for everyone to experience.”

Jen Cleary, Director North, Arts Council England said: “I’m very pleased that we have awarded £749,600 through our National Lottery Projects Grants to support this ambitious creative programme in Salford.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to enable the city’s artists and creatives to share more of their work in public spaces such as parks and high streets for the benefit of local residents and visitors. It’s an exciting time for Salford and I’m looking forward to experiencing some of the programme over the next three years.”