Arts Council announces criteria for National Lottery funding in the National Portfolio
6 Jun 2014 04:35 PM
Arts Council England has now announced the
criteria for National portfolio
organisations to be allocated National Lottery
funding.
The
Arts Council has seen reductions to Grant in aid of 36% since 2010. The current
National portfolio includes 696 organisations. At this current level of Grant
in aid Arts Council England could only support a National portfolio of between
250 - 300 organisations in the next investment round. Using National Lottery
money will allow many more organisations to join the portfolio. For some
organisations this will be the first time that their total grant will be wholly
comprised of Lottery funding.
National Lottery money has been used to fund touring and
activity with children and young people within the National
portfolio since 2012.
The
Arts Council is continuing this principle and National portfolio organisations
funded wholly through Lottery in 2015-18 will be those focusing on touring
(more than 50%) or specific types of organisations working with children and
young people.
The
level of Lottery investment in the portfolio in 2014/15 was £28.3 million
per annum. The proposed National portfolio budget for 2015/16 to 2017/18
includes approximately £60 million of National Lottery funding per
annum.
The
Arts Council invests Grant in aid and Lottery income to achieve its
strategy, Great art and culture
for everyone. National Lottery funding is distinct from
government funding and adds value. Although it does not substitute for
government funding, where appropriate it complements government and other
programmes, to achieve the greatest possible impact across the whole of
the country.
Alan Davey, Chief Executive Arts Council England
said:
'This is a pragmatic step. Since the National Lottery began these funds
have allowed the arts and cultural sector to deal with the challenges of the
day. They have restored old arts buildings and created new ones, toured great
art, created new jobs and opportunities for young people, given communities a
voice and made it possible for arts organisations to plan for the future by
developing new sources of income.
'Now, during a tough climate for public funding,
they are enabling hundreds more National portfolio organisations to be
funded.
'All National portfolio organisations will be
treated the same – they’ll all contribute to our shared goals and
ambitions for a thriving cultural landscape.
'The biggest proportion of our portfolio funding
will still come from Grant in aid, a vital part of the funding model. We
believe Lottery funding must only ever play an additional role and grant in aid
should always support an infrastructure of great art and culture in this
country.'
All
organisations in the portfolio will have exactly the same status and
relationship with the Arts Council regardless of whether they’re funded
by lottery or by Grant in aid. The current criteria are applicable to
this funding period only.
Organisations will be welcomed into the portfolio for
three years though the Arts Council will only be able to confirm levels of
funding for 2015/16. Funding levels for 2016/17 and 17/18 will be subject to
the Grant in aid settlement the Arts Council receives.
Final decisions will be announced at 10.00am on
1 July 2014.
Links and further
information
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for everyone
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