Farron welcomes Arts funding boost

Local MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news today that the Arts Council will be increasing its funding for Cumbria, saying it is a "well-deserved recognition of the hard work that has gone into making this area England's leading rural cultural destination."

The Arts Council announced that it will be increasing its funding for Cumbria by 14% per year, and will be investing a total of £12,467,616 over four years from April 2018.

This is particularly good news for a number of South Lakeland-based projects. The Lakes International Comic Art Festival, held each year in Kendal, has joined the Arts Council's national portfolio, while Lakeland Arts, which runs the Abbot Hall Art Gallery, has been invited to apply for £5million to the next stage of their large capital grants programme. The Arts Council will also continue to invest in the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal, as well as to support Grizedale Arts. It will also continue to fund Cumbria Museums consortium, a partnership between Tullie House in Carlisle, Lakeland Arts Trust and the Wordsworth Trust.

Tim said: "I am delighted that the Arts Council has committed to investing over £12 million in local arts and culture projects over the next few years.

"South Lakeland is England's leading rural cultural destination, and these funds both reflect and reinforce that. This will further boost our area's already impressive cultural offerings, and is fantastic news for both local residents and our tourist industry.

"This funding is a well-deserved recognition of the hard work that has gone into promoting arts and culture across our area. I'd like to thank everyone involved in arts and culture organisations locally, as well as South Lakeland District Council for its continued efforts supporting our vibrant cultural scene."