Government announces over £100m for culture in north of England and Scotland
Chancellor earmarks £78m for new theatre and exhibition space in Manchester
The Autumn Statement, announced today by the chancellor, George Osborne, includes over £100m in culture and heritage projects in the north of England and Scotland.
The government has committed £78m to a new theatre and exhibition space in Manchester, £3m towards world war one commemoration art projects, primarily in cities in the north of England, and £1m to fund a “Great Exhibition”, which will celebrate the art, culture and design of the northern regions.
The statement also included £10m to support the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Appeal, which was set up after its building was badly damaged in a fire earlier this year, and a new graduate research centre.
“The government is committed to developing the thriving cultural life of the north,” reads the statement, recognising “the importance of strong civic leadership and a varied cultural offering” and quoting studies showing that innovators and entrepreneurs are attracted to work in creative and cultural areas, which offer a high quality of life. The aim of this investment is to create “a northern powerhouse for the UK economy”.
The government also announced it would consider the benefits and costs of the relocation of the collections housed at Blythe House in London, where items belonging to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), British Museum and Science Museum are stored.
London will also benefit from a £141m investment in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which will include a branch of the V&A.
Links
The Autumn Statement
The government has committed £78m to a new theatre and exhibition space in Manchester, £3m towards world war one commemoration art projects, primarily in cities in the north of England, and £1m to fund a “Great Exhibition”, which will celebrate the art, culture and design of the northern regions.
The statement also included £10m to support the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Appeal, which was set up after its building was badly damaged in a fire earlier this year, and a new graduate research centre.
“The government is committed to developing the thriving cultural life of the north,” reads the statement, recognising “the importance of strong civic leadership and a varied cultural offering” and quoting studies showing that innovators and entrepreneurs are attracted to work in creative and cultural areas, which offer a high quality of life. The aim of this investment is to create “a northern powerhouse for the UK economy”.
The government also announced it would consider the benefits and costs of the relocation of the collections housed at Blythe House in London, where items belonging to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), British Museum and Science Museum are stored.
London will also benefit from a £141m investment in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which will include a branch of the V&A.
Links
The Autumn Statement