A Luton MP has welcomed a major government announcement that £1.5billion will be invested in cultural organisations over the next five years, saying the funding will help open up access to arts and culture “for everyone in every region across the country”.
The funding package, unveiled by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport yesterday, is aimed at tackling urgent capital needs and saving more than 1,000 arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England from closure.
Last year the Culture Secretary announced £270 million worth of investment through the Arts Everywhere Fund, which has already thrown a lifeline to dozens of much-loved local institutions. This new commitment builds on this further, with additional funding pledged to take investment to £1.5 billion between 2025 and 2030.
The government says it wants to “restore national pride”, help communities come together and support affordable cultural activities for families.
Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins wrote on her Facebook page: “Arts and culture should be for everyone in every region across the country and accessible to all.
“That’s why I’m pleased this Labour Government has pledged to invest £1.5 billion in cultural organisations like museums, libraries, art galleries and heritage sites over the next five years.”
According to the government, the funding includes money to address maintenance backlogs at local museums struggling with rising costs and bills, with more than £100m earmarked specifically for that purpose.
Ahead of next week’s Independent Venue Week series of live music across five nights at The Castle in Luton, which is to highlight the importance of grassroots music venues, Ms Hopkins added that the funding will be important in preserving venues that contribute to community life and opportunity.
She said: “This investment will be crucial in protecting and restoring over 1,000 venues, keeping alive the culture that unites communities, strengthens our national and regional identities, and broadens opportunities for our young people.”
The government’s breakdown shows the £1.5bn covers a range of cultural priorities. This includes millions for museums both national and regional, a Creative Foundations Fund for capital projects in arts venues, grants for heritage building protection including places of worship, and funding to help libraries upgrade facilities and technology.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the investment is intended to ensure cultural spaces remain open and accessible across the country. She said culture and heritage “bind us together” and that the funding will help “keep the doors open” at thousands of organisations that might otherwise face closure.
The funding is part of a broader government “Plan For Change” which ministers say will expand opportunities for people to engage with culture, learn about local history and celebrate what makes each community special.
Ms Hopkins’s comments reflect a focus on widening access to cultural experiences for communities including those in and around Luton. The scale of the investment is expected to support jobs in the cultural sector and underpin local venues’ ability to serve residents for years to come.
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