A network to help develop culture in Cumbria has been given a £75,000 boost.
Cumbria Arts and Culture Network said the cash, from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority via Sellafield Ltd’s social impact programme, will help it expand and develop its work over the next three years.
The network will focus on West Cumbria and support young people across the county.
It will now be able to:
- Create a new arts and culture podcast for Cumbria
- Continue weekly online Zoom calls with guest contributors
- Create weekly newsletters to spread information
- Enhance its social media activity and support
- Back large scale network-supported creative engagement projects
- Run online training programmes
- Offer mentoring and skills swapping support
Kate Parry, chair of CACN, said: “This funding is a real milestone for Cumbria Arts and Culture Network.
“Ultimately it’s about supporting all your favourite Cumbrian artists and cultural institutions large and small, to recover from the pandemic. Our aim is to create a really thriving culture sector for the future, with more exciting activity and inspiring new work for everyone to enjoy.
“In particular, we want young people to feel that they can build a viable career in arts and culture. We’re looking forward to 2022 and all that it brings by way of opportunity.”
The network has been run by volunteers for four years and it said it was hoping to unlock further funding, grow ambition and develop skills, creating new opportunities for participation and at the same time, reduce duplication of effort and resources.
Ultimately, it said its aim was to support network members to reach and inspire more communities, especially those in the county where participation rates in the arts and culture was extremely low.
Gary McKeating, head of community and development at Sellafield Ltd, who leads the company’s social impact programme, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting Cumbria Arts and Culture Network – a vital part of the county’s infrastructure.
“The work they’re doing to support artists and cultural organisations in West Cumbria to recover from the pandemic is vital.
“Ultimately, our funding will help to generate more great creative and cultural activities for people across Allerdale and Copeland. It’s about building quality of life and generating new opportunities in our communities.”
Jo Lappin, chief executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Cumbria LEP is very pleased to host the Cumbria Arts and Culture Network and support its ambitions for the sector.
“This grant award is excellent news and will help CACN to translate these ambitions into action on the ground.
“Importantly, it will also support the network to create an independent company to take forward its important work programme.”
