Funding Boost amid Arts Council funding cuts

 The funding will ensure that we continue to play a pivotal role in developing access to arts education for children and young people in the West Midlands.

The flagship Black Country Children’s Service Improvement Partnership (BCCSIP), operated by the University, applied for funding to develop arts education across the region. There were over 1,300 applications to the Arts Council for the national fund, and the University is one of only a handful to have had a successful outcome. The amount to be allocated is circa £3.5m over the next three years; much more than had been applied for.

The second application for arts funding came from the University’s landmark Arena Theatre, located in the heart of Wolverhampton. The Arts Council will provide circa £340,000 over three years; again more than was bid for, to support and develop community engagement projects aimed at raising aspirations amongst children through arts education.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline Gipps said: “The University is delighted with these outcomes. This is testament to our well established reputation in the creative arts industry here in the Midlands, and nationally. We have an exceptional team in BCCSIP and the Arena Theatre; their hard work and commitment to raising educational standards in this region has paid off. The funding will ensure that we continue to promote and deliver programmes that enrich the lives of children and young people.”

Dean of the School of Sport Performing Arts and Leisure, John Pymm said: “It is a true acknowledgement of the hard work of our dedicated staff and continued loyalty from our audiences. The increase in funding will enable us to build upon our reputation for a high quality programme of small scale work with a particular strength in presenting Deaf and disability-led work. It will also help us to invest in new artistic partnerships to further develop our programmes and build a solid foundation for outreach work with children and young people in the region.”

ENDS

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