Arts Council England chief visits Plymouth

Darren Henley, the Chief Executive of Arts Council England, will be in Plymouth on 20 October visiting some of the City’s outstanding arts and cultural organisations.

During his trip Darren will visit Theatre Royal Plymouth, Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery, Ocean Studios and Outpost at Royal William Yard and Devonport Guildhall and Market Hall with RiO (The Real Ideas Organisation).
All of the organisations receive funding through Arts Council England.

Last year (2014/15) the Arts Council invested over £3.4million in Plymouth, recognising the excellent work done in the city.

In his first major speech as Chief Executive in May, Darren Henley made a commitment that Arts Council England will increase the amount of money it spends outside London so that talent and leadership can flourish everywhere.

He said: "I want our museums, our libraries, our artists and our arts venues to be genuinely popular.  That means I want them to be a part of the life of everyone in England, no matter who they are or where they live.

"Plymouth is a place that is building an exciting reputation as a centre of genuine creativity, of artistry, of talent.  And we want everyone to be able to enjoy and celebrate that. I’m really excited to be coming to meet some of the people who make Plymouth’s arts and culture so distinctive – and so impressive."

Darren will also be meeting with some of the Arts Council’s funding partners, including Plymouth City Council.

Phil Gibby, Area Director, South West, Arts Council England, said: "Arts Council investment strongly reflects where joint planning and strong partnerships have seen culture flourish as a driving force in building the community, both economically and socially.

"Plymouth Council has been enormously supportive of arts and culture in tough times as well as good and it is a credit to them that there is so much momentum in the city’s arts and cultural sector."