Arts and cultural organisations successful in their bid to join the GMCA Culture Portfolio are awarded a share of £8.6 million in funding over two years, and we’ll not only become the first Carnival arts organisation to be invited, but the only Tameside-based arts company in the Portfolio, too.
The announcement means that we’ll be able to deliver a comprehensive programme of cultural, creative, learning, wellbeing and community activities, involving people and artists from across Greater Manchester.
Cllr David Greenhalgh, GMCA Portfolio Lead for Culture, says: ‘The groups and organisations recognised here represent some of the very best Greater Manchester has to offer. They are a celebration of the diversity and dynamism of our cultural scene, which continues to produce outstanding talent and provide entertainment and education to our residents and visitors from around the world.
‘Greater Manchester is a place like no other when it comes to culture, creativity and opportunity. Through the Culture Fund, we are reaffirming our commitment to the groups and institutions that are the lifeblood of our communities, and which contribute more than £1.4 billion to our economy every year.’
Leon Patel, Chief Executive of Global Grooves, says: ‘We know how competitive it is to become part of the Greater Manchester Culture Portfolio, and we’re delighted that we’ve been given the opportunity to showcase and expand our work, to the benefit of the artists and local communities with which we work.’
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, appeared on BBC Four’s cultural programme, Front Row, on Friday 6 March to discuss the announcement, which you can listen to again here.
The other organisations to receive funding as part of the Culture Portfolio are:
GM Arts, MancSpirit, Brighter Sound, Manchester Camerata, The Turnpike, Sheba Arts, The Met, Wigan Steam, Company Chameleon Dance Theatre, Art with Heart, Manchester Histories, Manchester International Festival, Gaydio, Old Courts, Manchester Pride, Comma Press, Manchester Jazz Festival, Z Arts, Manchester Literature Festival, HOME, Octagon Theatre, Royal Exchange Theatre, Walk The Plank, Oldham Coliseum, People’s History Museum, English Folk Expo, Music Action International, Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art, Manchester Jewish Museum, Cartwheel Arts, Contact Theatre, Quays Culture, Arts For Recovery in the Community, and The Halle Orchestra.