Arts cash plan is approved (From This is Hampshire)

Arts cash plan is approved

12:00pm Saturday 6th March 2010

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A SOUTH Asian dance charity struggling for money could be given a lifeline from taxpayers to help them continue working in Basingstoke.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet has approved grants totalling £1,747,458 to various arts, heritage and tourism organisations across the town, including The Anvil Trust, Central Studio and The Willis Museum.

The Anvil received £1,246,645, Central Studio £32,285, The Willis Museum £97,390 and Milestones Museum £186,354.

Dance charity Kala the Arts missed out, but the council has agreed to look at providing it with one-off funding from £9,400 of the sports and leisure budget left unallocated.

The money was left over after the Cabinet froze the grants for schools and sports organisations this year.

Councillors were told its long-term future could be under threat if it did not gain funding.

The company provides education workshops as well as engaging with young people and the community.

Councillor Keith Chapman, Cabinet member for Sport and Leisure, told The Gazette: “Kala the Arts is an important part of the borough. They produce some fantastic dance in the town and are trying to expand so it seems like a good thing to support them.”

Fairfields Arts Centre, Proteus Theatre Company, Whitchurch Silk Mill, Milestones Museum, The Making, Hampshire Museums and Galleries Trust and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, also received grants.

Cllr Chapman said the money invested in the arts generated £6million for the local economy.

Leader of the Council Councillor Andrew Finney said, despite the recession, the council would still support arts organisations in the town to continue their community work.

He added: “They really do contribute to the quality of life of all people in Basingstoke and Deane, whether it’s young people doing dance classes or older people going to the Anvil to watch a top line comedian, arts in Basingstoke offers something for everyone.”

The Cabinet allocated £135,000 to four sports organisations. Basingstoke Sports Trust will receive nearly half of that money – £71,100.

A further £116,879 from the council coffers was granted to nine schools and colleges.

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