Arts group gets reprieve over threat to funding

AN arts group in Bedminster that works with vulnerable people has been given a temporary reprieve after a threat to its funding.

Acta Community Theatre is one of dozens of arts organisations financially supported by the city council.

Despite the ongoing financial crisis, the authority has protected funding for most organisations that already receive money. But a handful have not been so lucky, with two having their grants axed entirely and five more facing cuts.

The £901,000 of arts funding was approved by the Liberal Democrat cabinet last night, with one exception. Artistic director of Acta Neil Beddow wrote to the council saying his group was exactly the kind that should be supported by the authority.

His ward councillor Mark Bradshaw (Labour, Bedminster) told last night's meeting: "The work Acta does is targeted at the most vulnerable and at-risk people in the city.

"We have a community arts service that is particularly focused on the needs of young carers. Acta has a reputation that is global."

Mr Bradshaw said the group currently received £31,000 a year and had asked for that to be increased to £35,000 but the council proposed cutting it back to £25,000.

At the same time the group is about to lose £73,000 of Arts Council funding, thanks to government cuts, which means it faced losing three quarters of its total funding.

Mr Bradshaw asked that officers look to see if there was a way of reversing the cut.

Council leader Barbara Janke (Lib Dem, Clifton) said she was happy for that to happen. Although it does not guarantee a reversal it does give the group another chance.

In total 42 organisations have asked for £1,620,382 between them, including Bristol Old Vic and Watershed.

Instead the council will pay out £901,610 to around half of them, an inflation-only increase on the total amount paid this year.

Of the 21 groups that already receive money, eight will get more cash than they did last year, six will receive the same as last year and five new groups will be funded for the first time. But 16 other new applicants will receive nothing.

And two groups - Picture This Moving Image and art+power - will have their funding cut from £52,000 between them to zero.

Mrs Janke said: "With a city like Bristol that is so rich in cultural groups, key arts providers are a vital ingredient. This is a great commitment to arts in Bristol. It's not just a short-term committee and we've introduced new providers, like the Royal West of England Academy. This is unique to this city and I hope people will realise what we are doing."