Six theatre organisations in the North East have received grants from Arts Council England's Catalyst Arts funding stream, which aims to make arts organisations more sustainable, resilient and innovative by increasing their fundraising potential and attracting new money to invest in additional artistic work.
The successful applicants are:
- Development agency the Empty Space, leading a consortium application with Northumberland Theatre Company, Théâtre Sans Frontières, Unfolding Theatre and Theatre Hullabaloo. They will receive £198,000 to develop a new and innovative shared fundraising model.
- Northern Stage will receive £179,000 to enable it to invest in research, front line training and to strengthen and develop its in house skills.
New Writing North also receives £235,000 to raise funds to expand their programme of activity, particularly by working with children and young people, and new commissions and events.
Alan Davey, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said, "It's marvellous to see the many innovative ways in which arts organisations have responded to this opportunity to maximise their fundraising potential.
"It is vital that the arts continue to be publicly funded but, with the tough economic climate prevailing, it's also essential to strengthen all the various sources of income that help keep the arts in this country ambitious and excellent."
Alison Clark-Jenkins, Regional Director, Arts Council England, added, "This is good news for the region, and shows how the cultural sector is working hard to develop innovative ways to increase arts giving and philanthropy in a region where large private donors are scarce compared to other places."
Successful applicants to the £55 million Catalyst Endowments scheme will be announced jointly by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) on 20 June.
The Catalyst Endowments scheme offers match funding to arts organisations with a successful track record of fundraising to help them build endowments that provide an annual income.
There is also a £7 million Catalyst programme to support arts organisations with little or no fundraising experience who would like to build their capacity and capability to attract new donors.
The Arts Council will open this final part of the scheme in Autumn 2012, enabling it to use what has been learned from the first two strands so that the investment has the greatest possible impact. More information about this part of the Catalyst scheme will follow in the coming months.