Arts & Culture ACW funding strategy revealed peTe hayMaN


More than 70 Welsh arts groups will share more than £24.25m in 2011-12 under the Arts Council of Wales’ (ACW) new funding strategy. It follows the news that


ACW will see its programme funding cut by 4 per cent in the coming three years, while its running costs will be reduced by 12 per cent. Five groups have been


named as regularly funded organisations (RFO) for the first time aſter an overhaul of the ACW’s RFO portfolio. NoFit State; Sinfonia Cymru; Theatr


Welsh National Opera is one of more than 70 groups to secure funding However, the framework is subject to confir-


Ffynnon; Canolfan Gerdd William Mathias; and Independent Ballet Wales are the five new RFOs. Additional funding will be provided for community and performing dance artists to perform their work, as well as groups that aim to inspire and engage more people.


mation in February, when the Welsh Assembly Government publishes its draſt budget. ACW chair Dai Smith said: “As a result of


the strategy we’ve announced, most organi- sations will see their funding increase, and in some cases, significantly so.”


Council hands over Turner Contemporary The trust that will operate the David


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Margate’s Turner Contemporary, a new £17.4m gallery dedicated to artist JMW Turner, has been officially handed over by Kent County Council following the completion of construc- tion work on the new venue.


Chipperfield-designed venue has now taken ownership of the building, which will open its doors on 16 April. R Durtnell and Sons built the new gallery, which will feature 750sq m (8,072sq ſt) of gallery space on two floors.


Lottery funding for four London art groups ToM WaLker


Four arts organisations in London are to receive a share of Lottery funding from Arts Council England (ACE). Battersea Arts Centre (£2.5m); Lyric Hammersmith (£4.5m); Whitechapel Gallery (£3.2m) and Rambert Dance Company (£7m) are the groups to benefit as part of wider nationwide action research being undertaken by ACE to explore ways of sup- porting income generation and improved facilities. Battersea Arts Centre will


Te market area will become a new public space


Work starts on Sneinton Market regeneration


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Nottingham City Council has announced the start of work to transform Sneinton Market into a new public space. Te proposed new space will provide a


venue for events, performances and festi- vals and it is hoped the project will act as a catalyst for further regeneration, such as the planned relocation of Dance4. Te arts organisation is currently plan-


ning to develop a new ‘international centre for 21st century dance”, which will include choreographic studios.


National treasures saved for public collections


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More than £10m worth of artworks – such as rare Tomas Hardy typescripts – will remain in public collections aſter being saved from export. Watercolours from the 1839 Eglinton


Whitechapel Gallery is one of the four groups to receive ACE funding


receive funding towards a phased building programme designed by Haworth Tompkins architects. Lyric Hammersmith’s grant go towards an extension of its current home, Rambert Dance Company


© CYBERTREK 2011


will use its grant to help provide replacement facilities and Whitechapel Gallery has been handed a £3.2m endowment, with income to be used to ensure its long-term sustainability.


Twitter: @leisureopps


Tournament and a Welsh landscape paint- ing by William Dyce are also among the national treasures to be retained. Te works that were saved were revealed


in the 56th annual report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 9


North Tyneside project to boost wellbeing


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A health and wellbeing programme designed to help people in North Tyneside recognise the health benefits of dance and drama has received council backing. North Tyneside Council is supporting


the Arts on Prescription project, which has been set up by community interest group Taking Part Workshops. People suffering from stress, depres-


sion and anxiety are invited to take part in free sessions at the Linskill Centre, North Shields, and Wallsend Town Hall.


image: brian tarr/WNO


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