Arts project The Cultural Spring gets [pounds sterling]1m to continue its work in Sunderland and South Tyneside; The initiative designed to improve access to arts activities has seen 20,000 people take part and will now move to new council wards.
Byline: David Whetstone
An arts project targeted at areas of Sunderland and South Tyneside is to be extended for a further three years after being given a [pounds sterling]1m seal of approval.
The Cultural Spring, launched in 2014, was to have ended in December but Arts Council England has recognised its positive impact and granted the funding to enable it to carry on.
The initiative is part of a national Arts Council scheme, Creative People and Places, designed to improve access to the arts in areas where a lack of provision has resulted in low participation.
The Cultural Spring, representing 10 council wards, five each in Sunderland and South Tyneside, put in a successful bid.
It was one of three areas in the North East to benefit, the others being South East Northumberland, which set up Bait to deliver the project, and East Durham, represented by East Durham Creates.
Over the next three years the focus of The Cultural Spring will move to 10 different wards -- Hendon, Millfield, Pallion, Sandhill and St Anne's in Sunderland, and Horsley Hill, Beacon and Bents, Simonside and Rekendyke, Monkton and Bede in South Tyneside.
Emma Horsman, director of The Cultural Spring, said that over the past three years more than 20,000 people had been involved in its large-scale commissions such as The Great North Passion (a co-production with the BBC) and Inventors!
Lots of people had also taken part in a programme of weekly workshops, leading to the formation of some groups which had become self-sustaining.
She said: We're obviously delighted to be continuing our work for a further three years and are already working in our new 10 wards.
"Consultation sessions in the 10 wards have already taken place and more are in the pipeline."
She said The Cultural Spring would be looking to extend its reach through more new commissions and its Your Art project, which helps grassroots groups to use arts and culture to gain new members.
Emma said the extension would mean more work for artists, of whom more than 150 have been involved since 2014.
She said The Cultural Spring would be seeking additional support from local businesses, trusts and other partners to enhance its work over the next three years.
The Cultural Spring's three founding partners are the University of Sunderland, the Customs House, South Shields, and the Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture (MAC) Trust.
Graeme Thompson, chair of The Cultural Spring and pro vice chancellor at the university, said: "As...
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