I’m thrilled two North Yorkshire cultural organisations will receive Arts Council funding totalling £347,699 for the period 2023-2026. Rural Arts in Thirsk and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Trust in Pickering will receive £97,699 and £250,000, respectively, to enable people in North Yorkshire to have access to cultural activities and put creativity central to our community. This forms part of a share of £446 million in arts funding, as part of the Arts Council's Investment Programme, announced today.
I have worked with both organisations closely as an MP, including assisting with accessing Covid recovery funding, so this boost for 2023-2026 is especially important for the arts to bounce back from a difficult couple of years.
Regions outside London have seen their funding grow in this new round, for example, Yorkshire and the Humber have seen increases of 30%. Boosting creativity has a knock on effect on growth and community relationships and is vital for levelling-up the North.
I look forward to working with Rural Arts and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Trust going forward.
