Arts Council England announces a further £6 million to be allocated through Grants for the arts to public libraries

 

 

Arts Council England has announced a second phase of the Grants for the arts Libraries fund following a previous investment that began in 2012.

 

The Grants for the arts Libraries fund, which is funded by the National Lottery, will invest a further £6 million over three years, demonstrating Arts Council’s ongoing commitment to libraries. It will continue to fund projects delivered by public libraries or library authorities working in partnership with cultural organisations across all art forms, including music, dance, theatre, visual arts and literature.

It is hoped that this second phase of funding, which will be rolled out between April 2015 and March 2018, will once again inspire ambitious, innovative partnerships between libraries and arts organisations, and encourage library users and those living locally to take part in artistic and cultural activities.

Public libraries can apply for grants of between £1,000 and £100,000 covering activities lasting up to three years. The fund will open to applications on 1^st April 2015 and will run until 31^st March 2018. Phase one of the fund will remain open until 31^st March 2015 and there will be no break between the end of the first phase and the start of the second. The application criteria will remain the same. Find out how to apply here.

Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: ‘The Arts Council are committed to supporting and developing the libraries sector, as we recognise how the public library can be a hub of artistic and inspirational activity for local communities.

‘This second phase of Grants for the Arts funding will build on the great work that this investment has already generated, helping even more libraries to join together with cultural organisations and discover new ways of engaging their users.’

 

To read about examples of successful Grants for the arts projects visit our pages on funded project case studies here.

 

The Arts Council is working with the library sector to help create libraries which are at the heart of local communities, inspiring and empowering people to lead active lives enriched by culture. The Arts Council’s work with libraries is framed by the evidence and findings of our research Envisioning the library of the future and by investing in development activity undertaken by partners such as the Society of Chief Librarians and the Local Government Association.

 

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For more information contact:

Claire Coveney, Media Relations Officer, Arts Council England
Tel: 0207 268 9572 Email: Claire.Coveney@artscouncil.org.uk

 

Notes to editors

 

Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2010 and 2015, we will invest £1.9 billion of public money from government and an estimated £1.1 billion from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.

www.artscouncil.org.uk