East of England gets £6m in arts and culture cash

Murals were painted on buildings as part of the Our Towns project in Basildon

Arts and culture projects in the East of England are set to receive at least £6m in funding.

The money, from Arts Council England, is "to deliver more grassroots-led cultural experiences in areas where involvement in arts and culture is below the national average".

Eight organisations in the region will receive at least £750,000 each between 2026-29.

Arts Minister Ian Murray said: "I am thrilled that this investment directly empowers local organisations, so they can tell the world their story and make people proud of where they live."

Open-air galleries were created as part of the Mildenhall Art Trail last year

The organisations that will receive the funding are:

• Creative Basildon - Basildon, Essex

• Marketplace Arts - West Suffolk and Fenland, Cambridgeshire

• Freshly Greated - Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

• IP-Switched - Ipswich, Suffolk

• Revoluton - Luton, Bedfordshire

• Peterborough Presents - Peterborough

• Creative Tendring - Tendring, Essex

• Start Thurrock - Thurrock, Essex

Arts Council England said the purpose of the funding was to give community groups the opportunity to provide services that were needed where they were based.

The organisation invests public money from the government and The National Lottery.

Darren Henley, chief executive at Arts Council England, said: "This major new investment unlocks the creative power of neighbourhoods across England, giving people the chance to commission new work, to participate in creative acts and to experience the artistic excellence of professional creators, curators and performers."

'Thrilled'

Rob Drummer, the creative director and chief executive of MarketPlace Arts, also said "we are thrilled" to have been funded for a further "three years" to continue supporting diverse communities in Fenland and west Suffolk.

Gary Scott, Tendring District Council's cabinet member for arts, culture and heritage, said the money was a "significant boost" for the district.

Peterborough Presents, which works with neighbourhoods across the city to develop creative activities and events, is set to receive £800,000.