Arts Derbyshire Secure £99,900 from Arts Council England to Boost Cultural Initiatives Across the County

Arts Derbyshire is thrilled to announce the successful funding bid from Arts Council England. This significant grant of £99,900 will support three crucial strands of our organisation’s work, reinforcing our commitment to enriching Derbyshire’s cultural landscape.

Delivering a Landmark Project in 2025
The grant from Arts Council England will enable us to deliver a comprehensive programme designed to strengthen the local arts ecosystem and elevate the visibility of Derbyshire’s talented artists. We will collaborate with the local company The Tent People to create a spectacular touring environment, showcasing artists’ work at five Derbyshire festivals in 2025 and partnering with two indoor venues in key areas across the county.

We envisage an ambitious cross-artform presentation with staging for performance & digital capability to present further artworks on site and online. Artists will be identified via open call out, benefitting from the publicity to help them reach new audiences.

At its core, the project aims to provide essential support to artists and cultural organisations throughout Derbyshire. By offering professional development opportunities, mentorship, and resources, we aim to empower local creatives to enhance their practice and achieve greater success. Workshops, networking events, and one-on-one consultations will form part of this support, designed to address the specific needs and aspirations of our artists.

Community Engagement Through Social Prescribing
We recognise the transformative power of the arts in promoting well-being. With this funding, we will collaborate with healthcare providers and community organisations to integrate arts-based activities into social prescribing programs. Building on Arts Derbyshire’s national reputation for creative health work, with a key partnership with public health at Derbyshire County Council, we will use an arts-led approach to developing more innovative Social Prescribing practice in Derbyshire. We will focus on developing activity where there is currently little provision, challenging inequalities

Organisational Development: Sustainability & Governance
Arts Derbyshire is committed to sustainability and growth. The grant will enable us to invest in our staff, governance, and strategic planning, strengthening our capacity to serve Derbyshire’s communities more effectively.

Three Strands Together That Will Provide a Boost for Local Communities & Tourism
The touring nature of this project will benefit artists and invigorate local communities, attracting visitors to Derbyshire. Each stop on the tour will offer opportunities for community involvement and collaboration, enhancing the cultural vibrancy of our towns and cities. We anticipate that the project will boost local tourism and contribute positively to the regional economy.

Quotes

Director of Arts Derbyshire, Stephen Munn, commented on the exciting news:
“This funding is a game-changer for Arts Derbyshire. It allows us to increase our impact, nurture local talent, and further contribute to our amazing vibrant cultural County.”

Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England said, ” We’re delighted to support Arts Derbyshire with their New Horizons project, thanks to almost £100,000 from National Lottery Project Grants.  

“This funding will allow them build on the foundations already in place, working with local communities, supporting artists across Derbyshire and enhancing creative offerings throughout the county.”

For more information about this project and the plans for 2025, please contact editor@artsderbyshire.org.uk