Arts & Literature

The future of a number of arts organisations in Norfolk is unclear after funding cuts from the Arts Council were confirmed on Friday, 1 February, 2008.

The news brings mixed blessings as some arts organisations are set to benefit from increased investment in the county, however the Norwich Puppet Theatre, Creative Arts East and Community Music East will lose their funding.

"It's always difficult when we have to make strategic decisions, but we have a limited budget and it's our duty to ensure that we shape and support an arts sector that can deliver excellent art to the widest number of people," said Alex Taylor of Arts Council England, East.

"In order to do that we have to make some tough choices. We do not take this lightly, but it is important that we do so to enable the majority of our arts organisations to thrive rather than just survive," she added.

Lost funding

Creative Arts East, which regularly tours shows to rural areas of Norfolk, has lost its funding from the Arts Council of £160,000 a year.

"You're kind of shocked and resigned and even though you're expecting it you're still devastated. We're all really upset. Now we're in the process of telling people it brings it home to you," said Sara Foster of Creative Arts East.

The Norwich Puppet Theatre, one of only three bespoke puppet theatre's in England, will lose its annual grant of £60,000. While disappointed at the decision, the theatre is determined it isn't the end for them.

"It's the start of a lot of hard work - or continuing the hard work we've been doing since December but it'll move up a gear. So to the office and to the phone I think," said general manager Ian Woods.

Norfolk And Norwich Festival

While the announcement brings understandable disappointment for some, other organisations in Norfolk are benefiting from an increased investment, with the Art Council's priority for increased investment in the county focused on the Norfolk And Norwich Festival.

"Increasing our investment in the Norfolk And Norwich Festival will enable it to reach the next level," said the Arts Council's Alex Taylor.

"Alongside it current programme, the extra funding will mean that it is able to create a high quality international arts festival across the performing and visual arts.

"This will be fantastic for the residents of Norfolk and Norwich. It will bring the highest quality art to their doorstep and it's great news for visitors too as it will attract people from around the region and beyond," she added.

Increased funding

There will also be increased funding in the New Writing Partnership and the British Centre For Literary Translation with the aim to reinforce Norwich’s reputation as an international centre of excellence for literature.

Atmospheric: Sennen at the arts centre

The Norwich Arts Centre (NAC) will also receive increased investment to take a regional leadership role to develop creative talent, focused on contemporary music.

"We're pleased to have received the commitment of a new three-year funding agreement with the Arts Council," said Stuart Hobday, director at the NAC.

"It is recognition of the role we play in supporting up and coming musicians and artists, and putting on an all year round programme of exhibitions, courses, music and performance events.

"Our funding has been frozen for the last three years so it's good to have a 2.7 per cent annual inflationary rise instated. It gives us a basis to move forward but we are also more than ever dependent on the public attending events," he added.

Arts organisations were notified of the Arts Council's funding proposal in December 2007.

The council received responses from 10 of the 12 regional arts organisations where a reduction or non-renewal of funding was recommended.

Following discussions with those organisations and further deliberation, the Arts Council decided to uphold its funding recommendations in the east.

Eastern Angles

However, in the case of Eastern Angles, the council has taken into account the need to address touring theatre across the region and will be working with them on a range of new opportunities over the next three years.

Eastern Angles set to continue touring

"In the east, our approach will mean that the majority of our arts organisations will have a stronger, better future over the next three years," said Andrea Stark, the Arts Council East executive director.

"This will also enable them to work in a range of settings to offer great art to more people in more places. The arts organisations we're funding will place the region on the international map for its world-class arts offer.

"As well as giving our communities access to high quality art, they will make a significant contribution to the regional economy through increased visitor numbers and additional inward investment," she added.

What does this mean for the arts in the East of England?

Between 2008 – 2011 Arts Council East is investing:

Over  £10 million in theatre, including the introduction of a new theatre company to the portfolio - New International Encounter (NIE). NIE is a touring company with an international reputation, specialising in collaborative projects that bring together artists from different countries it will engage with new audiences across the region.

Over £4.3 million in visual arts, including support for artists and audiences through the creation of world class visual arts facilities like Wysing Arts Centre in Cambridgeshire and Firstsite:newsite in Colchester.

Over £1.2 million in literature, including increased investment for the New Writing Partnership (NWP) to enable it to deliver high impact national and international projects with writers.

Over £2.4 million in dance, including the introduction of a new dance company to the region. Tilted Productions is an award-winning touring contemporary dance company whose lively, innovative approach to dance has a national reputation for taking art to hard to reach communities.

Over £8 million in music, including increased investment for Aldeburgh Music, one of only three national centres of musical excellence. Work is under way to develop a creative campus where top established artists will work alongside the next generation of musicians, composers and conductors to develop new work and reach new audiences.

Over £5.6 million in combined arts, including increased investment in the Norfolk And Norwich Festival. This increase will enable the festival to create a high quality international arts programme with a new visual arts element by incorporating Contemporary Arts Norwich.