Prime Minister launches £3m fund to boost creative and cultural projects across Northern Powerhouse

The Prime Minister has launched a new £3m fund to support creative and cultural organisations across the Northern Powerhouse.

The money will enable arts projects and enterprises, in areas including Cumbria, Manchester, Lancashire, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and Yorkshire, apply for £150k of government funding.

This follows the announcement earlier in the year that the Government will commit £11m through the Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund to support three cultural projects in Blackpool, Bradford and the Lake District.

Both funds will help build a legacy for the ‘Great Exhibition of the North’, which showcases art and design in the region.

The Prime Minister made the announcement at No 10 where she welcomed publishers, artists, actors, directors of art galleries and theatres and craftspeople from a wide range of creative industries in the UK.

To showcase the sectors success, companies including Warner Bros, bespoke shoe makers Carréducker, furniture designers Angus Ross, denim manufacturer Hiut Denim and Mourne Textiles exhibited their products in Downing Street.

Speaking to the audience at the reception, which included guests from Universal Music, the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery, Pinewood Studios and the National Theatre, Theresa May praised the creative industries which contribute £92bn to the UK economy, providing work for more than two million people right across the country.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Our creative industries are at the heart of what makes Britain great, from the big screen to the local gallery. Our films captivate audiences the world over, our fashion designers surprise and delight, our architects are shaping skylines and cityscapes on every continent. In publishing, in music, in advertising and more, every day our creative industries fly the flag for Britain on the global stage.

“Today, I’m delighted to announce a £3m fund that will provide a new source of finance for creative and cultural organisations across the Northern Powerhouse. Offering a mix of grants and loans, the social investment fund will be open to non-profit, community-based organisations that deliver a positive social impact as part of our modern industrial strategy.”

Arts Minister Michael Ellis added: “Britain’s creative industries are an economic and cultural powerhouse that is recognised around the world.

“This new fund is another vote of confidence in the sector that will develop future talent, benefit communities and provide a lasting legacy from the Great Exhibition of the North.”

The new fund builds on the £150m invested by government and industry through the Industrial Strategy deal for the creative industries. In Hull, nearly 800 jobs have been created and almost £220m invested in the city’s tourism and cultural sectors since being named UK City of Culture 2017.

Before attending the event, President and Managing Director, Warner Bros. Entertainment UK and Ireland Josh Berger, commented: “Warner Bros. is proud to be a part of Britain’s world-class creative industries sector as a major investor in film, television, video games, theatre, and production facilities.

“Today’s reception celebrates the growth and innovation of the industry and demonstrates the government’s continued support for the incredible creative talent we have across the UK.”