MP welcomes South Lakes arts funding - but says the North is still under funded!

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news that three major projects based in our area will be funded by the Arts Council to the tune of nearly £2 million.

Today the Arts Council announced details of their investment plans for the next three years. This includes their new national portfolio of arts organisations and museums, representing a major public investment in England's art and culture.

In the South Lakes, the Brewery Arts Centre will receive £965,563 over three years, the Lakeland Arts Trust will receive £362,088 and Grizedale Arts secured £593,079.

However, Tim thinks that arts in the North are still underfunded. In the 2015-2016 funding round, 'The North' saw its funding increase by £2.4m (3.1%) to £79,656,892. But this compares to London who will receive a colossal £162,663,845. Tim is calling for more work to be done to re-balance the arts economy.

Tim said: "I am delighted that three fantastic arts organisations have secured over £2 million. This is fantastic news for them and is a testament to the leadership of their individual organisations. They are key drivers of our cultural economy. South Lakeland really is cementing its position as the rural arts hub of the North.

"However I believe that these funding awards hide the issue of the inequality of arts and culture funding throughout England. The amount 'the North' has won in this funding round includes the whole of the North West, the North East and Yorkshire & the Humber. We need to continue to press for fairer arts funding for the North and especially Cumbria."