Almost half a million pounds awarded to local culture.

Dorset Council Organisational Revenue Support Fund for Culture has awarded £486,000 to 28 organisations over the next three years.

 A total of 41 applications were received from arts and heritage organisations and accredited museums. A total of £217,000 has been awarded to arts and heritage and £269,000 to accredited museums.

This funding has been spread across the Dorset Council area to ensure residents and communities have cultural benefit around the county. All the organisations awarded with this money are based in and deliver their programmes within the council’s boundaries.

Laura Beddow, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities, said:

“I’m pleased that we have been able to help so many organisations to bring arts and heritage to all corners of the council’s area. It will make a lot of difference for the people of Dorset.”

There are several new organisations who have been granted awards this time round. One of these is the Mowlem theatre in Swanage.

Paul Angel, Chair of Mowlem Theatre, said:

“We are thrilled to have been awarded a grant from the Dorset Council Organisational Revenue Support Fund. This is the first time The Mowlem has received revenue funding and it's so valuable to us as a growing organisation, providing three years of reliable funds to help us develop our ambitions. We know that our community will be as thrilled with the news as we are!”

Zilla Brown, from Sturminster Heritage Trust, works with a volunteer team who manage both Sturminster Mill and Museum, said:

“Our revenue grant form Dorset Council will make a really positive difference to our capacity to manage both our sites and our events & outreach programming. It means we can continue to conserve our iconic buildings, introduce new interpretation, and provide lots of learning and engagement opportunities for our young people and the wider community”.

See the full list of recipients of this grant fund