[A]rts Council England announced this morning that the Cumbria Museum Consortium (CMC) has been successful in its bid to become a National Portfolio Organisation.
This means that three of the county’s highest profile cultural heritage organisations, Tullie House Museum, the Wordsworth Trust and Lakeland Arts, will receive ongoing funding from Arts Council England for the next four years.
The CMC has been awarded a grant of £1.165 million per year, for the next four years, which will be split across the three museums from April 2018. This represents a standstill position based on funding the consortium currently receives from Arts Council England.
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle is the lead partner within the consortium. Director Andrew Mackay commented: “This is fantastic news! The funding will allow us to develop the work we do with local communities, especially with children, young people and older adults. It will enable us to continue programming exciting exhibitions and activities that appeal to a wide range of Cumbrians as well as visitors from all over the UK and indeed the world. I’m thrilled that Arts Council England has decided to continue investing in Cumbria by supporting the CMC in this way.”
Kate Parry, Manager of the Cumbria Museum Consortium, added: “The funding application process has been extremely competitive so we’re very pleased indeed to have been successful. The fact that we have been granted the money confirms the importance of the unique collections held in our museums and galleries and the quality and variety of experiences we offer visitors.”
