Arts funding

Eight artists from Northern Ireland will share £75,835 of funding toward the creation of art projects using digital technologies.

The investment is part of Arts Council Northern Ireland's National Lottery Individual Artists Digital Evolution Awards, which are financed by the National Lottery and match-funded by Future Screens NI.

As part of the scheme, artists who are making digital art for the first time or are working with digital or immersive technology in a novel or innovative way can apply for grants of up to £10k.

The General Secretary of performers' union Equity has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to forget the creative industries in his plans for a “decade of national renewal”.

Speaking to Left Foot Forward at the TUC congress, Paul W Fleming said: “If a decade of national renewal doesn’t include an industrial plan for the creative industries, then there’s not going to be a decade of national renewal.”  

To do this, Fleming said Labour would need to "return arts funding to where it was".

“We do creative industries very, very well," he said.

"We’re the second largest producer of film and TV in the world. We’re the second largest producer of video games in the world.

"Creative industries are worth more to the economy than banking. Without a sectoral plan and without an industrial strategy, we’re not going to maximise the potential.”

A council report has warned that plans to revamp Hereford Museum and Art Gallery could cost £21.8m instead of the £19.2m budgeted, partly due to the unexpected discovery of asbestos in the building.

Higher scaffolding fees and a new electrical substation have also contributed to the increased predicted spending.

Herefordshire Council's progress report said that the anticipated costs “can be reduced through working with a contractor" but that the project will only proceed if it is “deliverable and within the approved budget”.

The project will add six new galleries and display spaces to the grade II-listed building, as well as a temporary exhibition space, a fifth floor, and new commercial and retail space.

The local authority is contributing £8.4m while a further £10.8m has been secured from government, the National Lottery and Arts Council England with other funding bids "also being explored".

Councillor Harry Bramer said the council would probably adjust where and how the available budget is spent at the final design stage.

“We won’t get final costs until we work through the detailed elements of the design with a construction partner, which is the next phase of the project," he said.

West Northamptonshire Council has awarded £45k to 15 voluntary and community sector organisations in the region.

The council said the funding will "expand and enhance the arts and culture offering in West Northants".

Grants of up to £5,000 have been awarded to a range of projects which the council believes address "an identified local need" while also supporting, enabling or facilitating "the achievement of one or more of the council's strategic aims, objectives or priorities".

The funded projects include Rockin' Roadrunner, a free annual community-based festival for people with disabilities, and Performing Room, a community arts development programme designed to help people express themselves through music and the creative arts.

Also funded is Accent Percussion, a community percussion group using drumming workshops to improve physical and mental health. 

Councillor Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure, said the funded projects "are not only enriching our cultural landscape but are also making a real difference in people's lives, particularly among our most vulnerable residents".

He added: "By promoting inclusivity, creativity, and wellbeing, these initiatives are helping to strengthen our communities and attract more people to experience the unique culture our area has to offer."