Member Article

Teesside NPO bags £1.5 million funding from Arts Council England

Arts Council England has awarded more than £1.5m-worth of funding to a Teesside National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).

Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima) will get £1,532,270 in revenue funding over the three financial years - £510,757 per year - subject to a funding agreement and business plan.

It will help mima, one of 670 cultural organisations in England to receive this important funding, to continue delivering high-quality exhibitions and learning programmes.

It also supports artists in the region, and reach and inspire audiences of all kinds, including children and young people.

The funding level is equal to the grant received over the past three years, and is a sign of Arts Council England’s continued commitment to mima as the gallery’s governance transfers from Middlesbrough Council to Teesside University next month.

Interim Director Mark Robinson said: “This is really good news for mima’s future as part of Teesside University.

“This is an exciting time for the gallery, and with this support, we can build on the great work mima has done over the past three years, and continue to bring national and international artists’ work to Middlesbrough, develop our support for regional artists through the mima Visual Art Network, and engage schools, families, young people and local communities with what we do.

“We will also continue to work with cultural organisations across the Tees Valley, both NPOs and non-NPOs.”

Teesside University led on the funding bid with mima colleagues.

The University’s Chief Operating Officer Malcolm Page said: “mima is an extremely valuable asset to the region as a national and international destination and as such we need to ensure it thrives and continues to offer a fantastic visitor experience.

“The support from Arts Council England is integral to this goal so we are delighted with the decision by a key funding partner.”

Councillor Charlie Rooney, executive member for Regeneration at Middlesbrough Council, which will continue to be a key strategic partner and funder of mima following the transition, added: “It is an important vote of confidence in mima’s ability to deliver a world class programme, and we look forward to working with Teesside University and Arts Council England to ensure that continues.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .