Midlands-based In Good Company has been awarded £99,999 by Arts Council England to enable the development organisation to continue to invest in artists from the region.
With financial support from trusts and foundations, IGC will have £149,828 to spend over the next 12 months directly on freelance artists and companies.
The Arts Council investment will allow IGC to continue to deliver its programme of workshops, advice surgeries, producer training and performance platforms as well as its annual summer festival Departure Lounge.
The work includes collaborations with Derby Theatre, Leicester’s Attenborough Arts Centre, the Brewhouse Arts Centre in Burton, The Core at Corby Cube, Northampton’s Royal and Derngate, Wolverhampton’s Arena Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse, Lincoln Arts Centre, Mansfield District Council, Nonsuch Studios in Nottingham and the Y Theatre in Leicester.
Sarah Brigham, Derby Theatre’s artistic director and chief executive, commented, “IGC is a key part of the infrastructure in the Midlands. It uniquely brings together leading producing theatres, vibrant arts centres and independent artists on an equal platform.
“It’s testament to what can be achieved to make a thriving artistic ecology when partnership is central and the shared goal of making the region a home which welcomes and nurtures talent is foremost.
“At a time when the artistic landscape can feel very bleak for independent artists, In Good Company is a shining beacon. We’re really lucky to have such a skilled and dedicated team and I’m looking forward to supporting them as they continue to shape the landscape, lead with integrity and set standards for best practice.”
Hannah Torrence, theatre and arts manager at the Y Theatre, which has just become an IGC partner venue, added, “in a landscape where there are so many barriers to making new work and developing a career in the arts, we’re thrilled to be joining a team of brilliant organisations supporting Midlands artists.”