Arts Council of England Chief Executive visits cultural venues in North Devon

On Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 May, the Area Council to Northern Devon from the Arts Council England will be visiting a range of local cultural venues, including the Burton at Bideford’s Art Gallery and Museum, sampling some of the cultural delights on offer.

The visit by Arts Council representatives, to include Chief Executive Darren Henley, comes on the back of the special financial boost that arts organisations in North Devon and Torridge received in the latest round of the government’s Levelling Up funding.

The investment in North Devon and Torridge will ensure that more people in our predominantly rural and traditionally under-served communities have more opportunity of accessing high quality art and cultural activity on their doorsteps. Particular emphasis will be placed on inspiring our children and young people through the arts.

Patrizia Ribul, the Burton’s new Director says, "I am very excited to be leading the Burton through this next chapter with support from both the Arts Council England and Torridge District Council, which will enable us to keep delivering an excellent programme of exhibitions and events for which we’ve become well-known in the South West."

The Arts Council England’s investment principles and the new goals set out by North Devon and Torridge District Councils’Northern Devon Cultural Strategy: Flourishing Culture are deeply embedded within our vision and mission as a charity. We’re excited about the opportunity this financial support will give us to continue raising the profile of the arts in a traditionally under-served yet culturally very rich area of the country.

North Devon venues which have benefitted from the Levelling Up Funds include the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, Beaford Arts, Queen’s Theatre and The Plough in Torrington among others.

The Burton at Bideford is a charity that strives to keep its exhibitions free and accessible to all. The gallery, museum and shop are open daily. Free entry.