Arts Council England
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Strategic touring programme: two years of taking great art across England

Today we publish an analysis of the second year of our Strategic touring programme, which aims to get more great art and culture to people across the country. 

Along with the report, we have produced an infographic which can be explored and shared by clicking on the image to the right.

Sir Peter Bazalgette, Chair Arts Council England said:

‘One of the Arts Council’s fundamental goals is to see the number and range of people experiencing great art and culture increase.

'The outcome of this analysis encourages that we are investing in the right areas: through the touring of quality work. More is still needed to be done but we are definitely heading in the right direction.’

The data: explore and share the figures

You can read the full report here and download a database of all successful applicants to the fund so far. Here are some key facts about year two of the programme:  

  • a total of 61 projects received £9.3 million of investment in 2013-14
  • 58% of the investment will reach places with historically low arts engagement
  • over 9,800 performances and exhibition days were offered this year
  • 41% of the activity will reach children and young people

Click on the infographic above to see more facts and figures from the report explained.

Feeling the benefit: the investment in action

Some examples of successful Strategic touring projects which have travelled the length and breadth of England include: 

South Africa Celebrations
Marking 20 years of democracy in South Africa, this year’s Afrovibes festival will tour award-winning South African art to audiences in Birmingham, Bracknell, Hereford, Lancaster, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham.
Read more

Football tour
The Devon Guild of Craftsmen signed up to a football themed tour, taking two exhibitions over three years to places including Stoke, Sheffield, Walsall and Macclesfield. 
Read more

Northern talent
Customs House in South Shields toured down the East Coast of England with a knitted boat, and Walk the Plank produced Spellbound, a classic Indian folktale retold with fire and shadow. 
Read more

Channel website: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/

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