Following recent news that Arts Council England has awarded regular core funding, through its 2023-26 Investment Programme, to The Plough Arts Centre, the multi-purpose arts and community venue in Great Torrington has become a National Portfolio Organisation (N.P.O.) and will be receiving annual funding from the Arts Council through public investment to support a range of new initiatives to establish Plough Hubs across northern Devon, support talent development and broaden the impact of its outreach and open air theatre festival.
For five years The Plough has worked with Barnstaple Town Council to develop ThePlough@StAnne’s in a beautiful Grade One listed 700 year old former chapel in the centre of the town. It now operates as a thriving arts hub, hosting performances, workshops, exhibitions, walks & talks, weddings and
community arts events. The Plough wants to replicate this type of provision across northern Devon and welcomes emails of interest from local councils, village halls, schools and community groups etc that would like to collaborate to create ‘The Plough@our venue’. These hubs are likely to vary considerably
in how they operate, given the varied nature of suitable spaces across the region, but The Plough is keen to start the conversation and collaborate with other organisations to see what is possible and to bring the arts directly into local communities. Interested groups and individuals can express their interest by contacting richard@theploughartscentre.org.uk or by calling him on 01805 622552.
Speaking on 1 April this week, Plough Director Richard Wolfenden-Brown said ‘By complete coincidence today marks our 21 st birthday since the new Plough was launched in 2002, so we are delighted to celebrate this ‘coming of age’ by acquiring, for the first time in our history, regular Arts Council funding.
It is transformational for our organisation and is giving us the platform and impetus to drive forward some exciting new initiatives, including the new Arts Hubs. It will also enable us to collaborate with other regional N.P.O.s and to build our relationship with Torridge District Council, so that their funding reflects
and supports the confidence shown in The Plough by Arts Council England.’
Chair of The Plough Hugh Wormington, added ‘Nine hundred arts organisations nationally are now funded by Arts Council England though very few are multi-purpose arts centres in towns as small as Great Torrington. As if to underline the unusual nature of this Arts Council funding, the venue has just
been informed that Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England will be visiting The Plough during May along with other colleagues from London to meet staff and trustees of the charity.’
Richard Wolfenden-Brown
Director 6/04/23