It has just been announced that The Plough Arts Centre‘s application for regular core funding from Arts Council England has been approved. From April 2023 the popular arts and community venue will become a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) and has received a conditional offer of core support of £120,000 per year for three years.
Director, Richard Wolfenden-Brown was absolutely delighted to receive the news by email this morning. He enthused: “During its entire 47 year history, The Plough Arts Centre has never before received regular investment from Arts Council England, so all our audiences, participants, supporters, trustees, volunteers and staff will now be thrilled that the value of our work and programme has been recognised and supported in this way. After ploughing through the rough terrain of recent times, during and following the pandemic, this investment will help to ease growing financial pressures and encourage us to make our programme even more diverse, accessible and relevant to our communities”.
Chair of the Trustees of the charity, Hugh Wormington, added “This excellent news will enable us to play a full and equal part in the arts & community infrastructure of Northern Devon as we rebuild our audience base and initiate new community projects, so that we can work towards celebrating the 50th anniversary of the venue in three years’ time. It is also dependent on garnering fresh support from funders (including TDC) and ongoing support from businesses and supporters that have assisted us to date. This historic funding announcement is testament to the commitment and endeavours of all our staff and volunteers, over many years, alongside everyone who currently values and supports the venue.”
Bella, a young member of the Plough’s scriptwriting group and ‘Plough The Future!’ group welcomed the good news: “The Plough to me is a wonderful creative space. I believe it is a crucial space in Great Torrington’s community. It has a nice calm-but-fun air to it and I love it.”