Theatre & Dance

If you live in the big towns of Norfolk like King's Lynn, Norwich and Great Yarmouth, theatre-going and enjoying the arts is easy, but if you're in some of the more rural parts of Norfolk, it's not.

Now it looks like the organisations which take entertainment to the county's most isolated areas will be hit by funding cuts. The Arts Council told many before Christmas that their grants could be reduced.

Norwich Theatre Royal Chief Executive Peter Wilson is outspoken in his criticism.

"I don’t know how the Arts Council has got itself into such a stupid, idiotic, moronic muddle," he said.

Money worries

Community Music East is one group which could be under threat. It works with people in rural communities making music and films.

CME's Ben Higham is concerned

It aims to bring creativity to what it describes as "the widest range of users, particularly those who are educationally, culturally, socially and economically disadvantaged".

CME faces losing £30,000 of Arts Council cash, and CME director Ben Higham says it's not just a question of money.

He says CME has been built up and recognised as a regional centre of excellence and now that is being taken away - and he adds that the Arts Council has told them they aren't value for money which he doesn't understand.

Other organisations have serious worries: Norwich Puppet Theatre, one of only two in the country, could lose a fifth of its funding.

Eastern Angles, which takes original, live theatre into village halls and schools could have to do without more than £100,000, while Creative Arts East faces a cut of £160,000.

Their village stage development manager, Bev Bishop, said: "We go out and do lots of work in rural areas, taking it to people who might not get to the theatre or who would not ordinarily take part in arts activities.

"We do work in old peoples' homes and in youth centres. We work with people who are unemployed or people who are disadvantaged in other ways. It's going to make a huge difference to them not having this service."

Rural arts lovers

Kay Dive is one person who would lose out if Creative Arts East stopped coming to her village.

Kay Dive loves going to local events

Kay has listened to Irish music, storytelling, a rock band and Balkan folk music, all subsidised by Creative Arts East and performed in Wood Norton village hall.

She and her neighbours, many of whom are elderly and can't travel in to Norwich for a night out, have also gone to shows in nearby Hindolveston and Foulsham.

Kay believes touring performances don't just draw in enthusiasts they're treated as social events and Norwich Theatre Royal's Peter Wilson recognises the importance of that.

"The kind of thrill, the kind of excitement that live performances… and access to living breathing artists gives to all individuals of all ages... will be lost," he said.

"I am absolutely astounded that they announced these [cuts] just before Christmas and they have asked all these companies to put together their submissions over the Christmas period... and as far as one can tell its kind of a done deal.

"It's extremely unlikely, since they are not going to be reviewed by their peers, that they are gong to be successful... and the Arts Council has not for one moment bothered to contact Norfolk County Council or Norwich City Council, their partners in funding all these organisations," he added.

Council statement

The Arts Council sent a statement to BBC Radio Norfolk, which said: "We recognise some organisations will be unhappy, but for the majority the news is very positive.

"More than 75 per cent of those presently funded, have been told they can expect increases to their funding.

"It's understandable that when we propose to reduce, or not renew funding, members of the public who have benefited from, or have a loyalty to, a particular organisation, will feel unhappy. 

"We look at which art forms need special attention and development, which geographical areas are not well served, how we can encourage excellence in art, and help it connect to more people in more places."

The final decisions will be made on 23 January, 2008.