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We have published details of how we will invest £440 million of strategic funding between 2012 and 2015, including two new programmes for Capital and Touring.

Strategic funding will be used to complement our £1.04 billion investment in National portfolio organisations. It will be used to target key areas and seize opportunities - including investment in capital, touring and encouraging private giving.

The Arts Council Plan for 2011-2015, also published today, sets out in more detail how strategic funding will be used to realise the priorities set out in Achieving great art for everyone - our 10-year strategic framework for the arts.

Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said: 'Much of this new strategic funding comes from our Lottery income, following the Government's decision to increase the share of Lottery money to the original four good causes. The funding will allow the Arts Council to invest in flexible and targeted ways to help realise our priorities and ambitions for the arts, building on our core investment in the National portfolio.

'The aim is for the Arts Council to work alongside our National portfolio, and other artistic and cultural organisations, to deliver our shared aims and ambitions for the arts. I'm sure creative and ambitious organisations across the country will relish the chance to undertake work that ensures the arts keep pushing boundaries and play an even greater role in our national life.'

Strategic funding will be invested in three ways:

1.    Targeted grant programmes: Capital and Catalyst, which open for applications today, and Touring, which opens 5 December 2011

2.    Specific grant commissions: Audience focus, which opens for applications on 4 November 2011, and an Artsmark fund, which is now open for applications

3.    A general strategic grant programme, which will open in spring 2012. Visit the dedicated pages at the links above to find out more about a grant programme or read the full press release on our website.