Suffolk Libraries, the charity that runs the county’s library service, is delighted to announce it will continue to receive Arts Council funding as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).
Arts Council England have announced their investment programme for 2023-26 which includes continued funding for Suffolk Libraries. 990 organisations will receive a share of £446 million investment, bringing art, culture and creativity to more people, in more places, across the country.
Arts Council England are boosting spending in arts, museums and libraries in communities, where investment is currently too low.
Suffolk Libraries is one of only 16 library services to be awarded NPO status by the Arts Council this year. Suffolk Libraries recently applied for further funding to develop its arts programme over the next three years and will receive £840k to deliver creative activities in libraries until 2026. National Portfolio Organisations receive regular funding from the Arts Council and represent some of the best cultural practice in the world.
Receiving National Portfolio Organisation status acknowledges that an organisation has a vital role to play in helping Arts Council England achieve its Let’s Create Strategy, which has an aspiration that by 2030 England is “a country where every one of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences.”
Since first becoming an NPO in 2018, Suffolk Libraries’ creative programme has been built in collaboration with library staff, community groups and young people. The aim of the first few years of the programme has been to specifically develop an offer for young people who may not usually engage with libraries.
In 2021, Suffolk Libraries, in collaboration with arts partners, developed Let's Get Creative, a virtual library of free and low-cost experiences, inspired by a project which ran during lockdown. Partners organisations included Britten Pears Arts, DanceEast, Norfolk and Norwich Festival Bridge, Creative People Places Marketplace and Suffolk Artlink.
Previous Arts Council investment has also enabled Suffolk Libraries to lead the way in incorporating environmental action into its creative programming and in 2021 the Stowmarket Garden project was launched, offering a creative space for workshops and exhibitions available to local artists, community groups and charities, with the aim of bringing people back to library spaces, post-pandemic.
The further investment will be used for various exciting projects including the artist in residence programme in libraries and further environmental action-related activities.
Bruce Leeke, Chief Executive of Suffolk Libraries, said:
“Suffolk Libraries are delighted to be awarded this funding which acknowledges the success of our arts programme so far and the potential we have to help Arts Council England achieve its aims in our county. We’re looking forward to continuing to grow the breadth and impact of our creative programme and the wellbeing benefits it brings to its communities.”
Suffolk Libraries' Head of Audience Engagement, Melissa Matthews, said:
“We feel incredibly privileged to be given the opportunity to continue to be part of the Arts Council’s portfolio. Since 2018, Suffolk Libraries has been nurtured by our colleagues throughout the cultural sector to drive innovation and explore new opportunities for libraries. Suffolk has a rich cultural landscape across the county and through the generous support from Arts Council England, Suffolk Libraries will continue to lead conversations of how creativity can be a catalyst for social change in our communities.”
Arts Council England Chief Executive, Darren Henley, said:
“Together, each of the 990 organisations that have been offered funding today will contribute to a portfolio that is rich, varied and truly national. This is our widest ever spread of investment across the country, ensuring that many more people will have access to a wider choice of exceptional art, culture and creative opportunities on their doorsteps.
"We are in tough times but we must remember creativity brings with it extraordinary dividends, boosting our country’s economic growth, creating jobs, bringing communities closer together, and making us happier as individuals. Everyone deserves to enjoy the benefits it brings, and with this investment, we believe we’ve taken a decisive step towards making that vision a reality.”
