Derby Theatre’s professional artist development programme In Good Company is to receive money from Arts Council England to continue for another two years.
The scheme will get extra funding—up from £99,950 to £116,000 over the two years—which will allow it to expand over a wider area and support more artists to make new work.
Venues taking part as well as Derby Theatre are Attenborough Arts Centre in Leicester, arts venues in Mansfield including Create Theatre, Mansfield Old Library and Mansfield Palace Theatre, Lincolnshire One Venues—a network of 11 venues across the county—and the Brewhouse, Burton-on-Trent.
In Good Company aims to “engage, ignite and inspire” and is led by Derby Theatre’s creative producer Ruby Glaskin. She said, “I’m thrilled to be continuing the work of In Good Company. Since moving to the region 18 months ago, I’ve seen the theatrical landscape go from strength to strength and I really believe that the East Midlands is a place where artists, at all stages in their career, can flourish.
“I’m excited to be working with new venues, expanding our geographical reach and allowing us to focus on audience and venue development as well as artists.”
Laura White, relationship manager for theatre for Arts Council England, added, “through its development programme, In Good Company has already made a considerable impact in the region, nurturing emerging talent and bringing some of the most exciting new theatre being produced in the UK to Derby for people to enjoy at the DEparture Lounge Festival.
“It will be great to see what the artists being supported by In Good Company go on to produce next—we’re sure it will entertain, surprise and move us.”
Interviews for artists and companies who want to become part of In Good Company will be held at Derby Theatre in September 2016.