Arts Council England investment plan for 2023-26 announced

Today’s announcement from Arts Council England is an important moment as it provides details about the hundreds of organisations across England that will receive funding.

Here in Torbay, we are very pleased that Doorstep Arts will continue to receive funding as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). Libraries Unlimited - previously an NPO funded to work in Devon - will receive an uplift of £196,000 dedicated to supporting creative projects in Torbay’s libraries, as part of its overall NPO funding of over £720,000.

We were also very happy to see Hospital Rooms - a London based charity that has been working at Torbay Hospital during the past year - become an NPO for the first time.

For many it is a day of mixed feelings for organisations across the country. We know the decision-making process was difficult — the Arts Council was hugely oversubscribed, with many hundreds of applications not successful.

In February the DCMS and Arts Council included Torbay in their list of Levelling Up for Culture Places. That listing recognised that places like Torbay should receive greater support and investment. As a result, today’s NPO announcement is bittersweet, and in truth it’s a day of significant disappointment.

In Torbay, whilst we did not apply, we know of several excellent organisations — with dedicated and talented people, striving to make a difference for our local communities — who received disappointing news today.

We also know that there will be members of the Arts Council staff who have worked hard to support the process, and to make carefully considered decisions.

Regardless of the outcome, we will continue to work to support our local partners and to advocate for culture in Torbay.

We know we have a collaborative, grassroots approach to involving communities and increasing participation. Torbay’s people and places embody the spirit of Let’s Create, the Arts Council’s strategy.

Together we will continue to do that, regardless of funding decisions.

Image: Limbic Cinema (tests) for Wavelength (commissioned by Torbay Culture as part of Eyeview, 2019, the cultural programme of Torbay’s Great Place Scheme)