Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
10
Dec
Funding boost for Harrogate arts charity
The arts charity Harrogate International Festivals has received a funding boost after North Yorkshire Council agreed to extend its grant for another two years.
Culture has been identified as an area of potential savings for the council, whose finance chief Councillor Gareth Dadd has warned people to "be prepared for the most severe budget round that this authority and its predecessors has ever faced".
Harrogate International Festivals doesn’t receive any funding from Arts Council England and, in a Stray Ferret interview in October, chief executive Sharon Canavar said it was still waiting to hear what support, if any, North Yorkshire Council would provide in the year ahead.
The council has now agreed to extend its £24,000-a-year grant for another two years.
Its decision notice said the grant “reflects the contribution of Harrogate International Festivals to Harrogate” but added all cultural grants will be reviewed in 2028.
The charity’s annual programme includes the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival and HACS Harrogate Music Festival.
Ms Canavar said:
We are delighted that North Yorkshire Council has agreed to continue its funding for the next two years, and in doing so recognises the important role we play in the cultural life not only of Harrogate, but North Yorkshire too.
This funding is in keeping with the support given to other arts organisations and theatres over a similar period. We know that arts funding is stretched right now and we are extremely grateful for the council’s ongoing support which will help enable us to continue bringing world class festivals, concerts and events to our town.
A council report in June recommended extending grants to the following other cultural organisations until 2028:
- Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough £116,904 per year
- White Rose Theatre Trust (Harrogate Theatre) £94,000 per year
- Arcade, Scarborough £5,000 per year
- Crescent Arts, Scarborough £8,000 per year
0