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Art organisations across Cumbria are set to share a council approved grant of £135,000.

Cumbria County Council is aware that the arts serve a great purpose in attracting visitors to the area.

One organisation set to benefit favourably is the Keswick-based Theatre by the Lake, who received £34,000.

Recipients of the grant also included youth theatres in the area, several creative media workshop, a music recording project and a scheme that helps young, budding filmmakers.

The grant comes at an important time after the Arts Council England axed £130,000 worth of funds and told arts organisations across the county that they would need to make huge savings.

Oliver Pearson, the council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “In many other local authorities, culture has been one of the first victims of the spending cuts as supporting cultural activity is not a statutory function.”

He added: “We have had a thorough review of our whole package of cultural support to ensure that not a penny is wasted and the money we do invest achieves maximum value for those who need it most.”

This is an important step for the arts in Cumbria as they are recognised for the work they do and their contribution to communities.

Images: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick (2009)
Photography: Keith Pattison

For more information on this story visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-13585371

For more information on Theatre by the Lake visit: http://www.theatrebythelake.co.uk/