Arts Council England has recognised the work of The Island Collection, New Carnival Company, Quays Arts, Ventnor Exchange and Shademakers by providing funding to the tune of £2.25million.
The Isle of Wight has been identified as a priority area for investment by Arts Council England (ACE) with over £750,000 per annum set to be injected locally over the next 3 years, starting April 2023 – that is the equivalent of just over £5 per annum per Island resident.
This significant investment is intended to harness culture to create better life chances through education, place-making, job creation, well-being, and biosphere.
Simon Harrison, Chair of the Island Collection, has said:
“This is exciting news for all who believe in the power of culture to transform lives. We will be working hard in the coming months and years to work with our partners on and off the Island to ensure this investment does just that.”
A spokesperson for New Carnival Company has said:
“This funding means that we can continue to deliver our two main core community events, ‘Isle of Wight Mardi Gras’ and ‘Merry and Bright’, as well as ‘Crossing the Bar’ and an exciting and varied range of outreach and community work throughout the year.
“We have fortunately been granted some additional funds to facilitate a 3-year youth orientated project aimed at 16–30-year-olds. The focus of this will be bespoke industry training for a carnival or festival event career path with hands on experience. A great opportunity.”
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Bob Seely, Island MP has said:
“When I became MP, one of the first things I did was ensure Arts Council England treated the Island as a priority area and that is now bearing fruit as we get more money for valuable and important projects.
“I want to thank Arts Council England and congratulate the five Island organisations who thoroughly deserve their grant because of their hard work, skill, dedication and creativity.”
Councillor Julie Jones -Evans , Cabinet member for Levelling Up and Regeneration said:
“It’s fantastic news for the Island that Arts Council has recognised our cultural regeneration ambitions by awarding NPO status to The Island Collection and other arts-based organisations doing great work here.
Couldn’t we have a couple of dentists ?
So there is cash for this twoddle, but none for the things people need to survive, like food, heating, better facilities, proper doctors ( not the ones that hide away still ) you know the sort of things, proper help, not just some so called “art” that will save no ones lives or well being. It’s all hogwash. Cash for the well-to-do’s as usual, thanks Bob Seely and co.
It will line the pockets of CEO’s of these tin pot cic’s