Arts organisations and museums across Suffolk receive £500,000 funding boost including Ipswich, Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds

Arts organisations and museums from across Suffolk have been boosted by £500,000 of funding from a council.

Suffolk County Council’s Culture Project Fund was launched last year to help enhance cultural activity across the county.

In February 2024, the authority announced plans to cut the £500,000 arts and heritage budget entirely from its future spending, removing core funding for organisations and charities across Suffolk.

After backlash from the sector, public and arts professionals, including high-profile celebrities such as Judi Dench, the scheme was re-considered and a project-specific funding plan was imposed.

The new fund attracted 131 applications and there were 33 successful bids after more than 60 projects scored ‘excellent’ or ‘outstanding’ against the assessment criteria.

Funding will go towards a range of projects including the promotion of performing arts at the Quay Theatre in Sudbury, environmental events at Dunwich Museum and an education and arts project to address racial inequalities in Ipswich.

Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds was awarded £20,000 to help provide activities for a wide range of people.

This includes its Youth Theatre, Act Your Age class for over 55s, Theatre Royal’s Writers Group, SENsory Youth Theatre for young people with additional needs, their Youth Advisory Board and the theatre’s Bloom Festival which is a participation festival now in its second year, beginning on April 8.

Owen Calvert-Lyons, artistic director at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, said: “We are delighted to have received this funding from Suffolk County Council, which will enable us to work with communities across West Suffolk.

“However, even with this award, this now amounts to an 80 per cent cut to our funding from Suffolk County Council.

“We would highlight that single-year project funding like this does not allow charities like ours to make long-term plans for the benefit of Suffolk residents, and we will continue to advocate for multi-year funding agreements which properly support the work of this vital sector.

“However, this year’s grant is welcome news and will enable us to continue to deliver life-changing opportunities for the people of Suffolk.”

Ipswich Community Media was awarded £9,000 for a project called Making Waves, which engages young offenders and those at risk of offending in music, media and the arts.

The project aims to divert young people from offending towards positive activities, building confidence and self-esteem.

Red Rose Chain, which is also based in Ipswich, was awarded £20,000 to deliver theatre activities for disabled and disadvantaged children and young people within mainstream and SEND schools across Suffolk.

Cllr Philip Faircloth-Mutton, cabinet member for environment, communities and equality, at the county council, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting such a diverse range of creative and cultural projects through the Culture Project Fund.

“As well as some higher-profile organisations, it’s wonderful that lots of smaller projects, which often get overlooked for funding, will also benefit. I know firsthand the difference that grassroots initiatives make to the people that use them.

“The level of ambition and creativity shown in the applications was truly inspiring, demonstrating the incredible talent and passion that exists within Suffolk’s cultural sector.

“This funding will help bring new artistic experiences to local communities, support the growth of our creative industries and celebrate Suffolk’s rich heritage.”