Arts Council North West Confirms Funding for The Met

Reporter: Ask Bury
Date online: 12 February 2008

The Met is pleased to announce a confirmation of Arts Council funding for the next three years, including inflation, in support of its core running costs, despite a large number of cuts across the UK.

Arts Council England has undergone its most comprehensive spending review in the last 60 years that will see an investment of £72 million between 2008 and 2011 in the region. 17 regularly funded organisations (RFOs) in the North West have lost their funding. The new strategy seeks to support those organisations that are committed to delivering arts to the widest range of people.

David Agnew comments, "We are delighted as the confirmed grant is a response to a positive period of growth and continued high quality of events at The Met. The Met has worked extremely hard over the last 5 years to ensure ongoing growth and development as a strategic partners with both Arts Council England and Bury MBC."

The Met is a charity based in the heart of Bury. Established in 1975, it is also funded by Bury Metropolitan Borough Council through Community Foundation for Greater Manchester and receives regular financial support from Manchester Airport Group as well as donations from individuals.

Arts Council Chair Christopher Frayling said: "The plan backs excellence, brings in a new generation of practitioners and redistributes resources across the arts sector. It has been a complex and challenging process which has involved, throughout, working closely with arts organisations, listening to their concerns, and listening to members of the public too."

Despite a cut in funding last year, Bury MBC has confirmed funding for The Met in 08/09 but is currently awaiting final figures.