Arts Council England today announce that the Mercury Theatre has been re-appointed to the UK-wide National Portfolio of leading arts organisations for 2018 – 2022
The Mercury Theatre will continue to reach more than 150,000 audience members and visitors a year thanks to funding announced today by Arts Council England.
National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) receive regular funding from the Arts Council, and in their words the NPOs “represent some of the best arts practice in the world”. Today’s announcement once again demonstrates that the arts and creative industries are playing a leading role in Colchester’s growth as a town.
Our @robincomms on @bbcessex this evening – should money spent on the arts go to the NHS instead? https://t.co/wlZAjbYUGq
— Mercury Theatre (@mercurytheatre) June 27, 2017
The Mercury will be awarded £777,378 per year, for each year 2018-2022. As part of the agreement, the Mercury has committed to:
- Continue to create and promote a year-round theatre and arts programme accessible to all, including during our major building project in 2019/2020
- Grow the Make It Creative Learning and Talent programme (launched in Summer 2016) which includes partnerships with schools, opportunities for people of all ages who are interested in making theatre, and support for emerging professional theatre artists including actors, technicians, creatives, and playwrights
- Work in partnership with Tamasha and a consortium of other regional partner venues including Derby Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry and Dukes Theatre Lancaster on the strategic delivery of work that places the voices of artists from culturally diverse backgrounds centre-stage
- Work in partnership with Pilot Theatre and a consortium of other regional producing theatres including Derby Theatre, York Theatre Royal, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, and Theatre Royal Stratford East on the strategic delivery of mid-scale touring for young adult audiences
- Work in partnership (in the first year of the period) with Vamos (new NPO) and Jyväskyla Festival in Finland on the development and touring of a new full mask work exploring the experience of ex-service personnel with mental health issues
- Work in partnership with Rosie Kay Dance Company (new NPO) and Colchester Garrison to stage a thrilling and humane portrait of army life telling the stories of five men and women serving on the front line
- Grow the provision of hACkT, an integrated digital/live performance summer school for young people, across Essex
Daniel Buckroyd, Artistic Director of Mercury Theatre Colchester, said:
Newer Blog Post Older Blog Post Back to Blog“In difficult times, our job is to continue to throw open our doors and bring people together. We’re proud to be part of a town that has the creative industries at its heart– we’re thrilled to retain our place in the National Portfolio, and look forward to working with other partners to create outstanding arts and educational opportunities for everyone.”
