MPs' happiness at Arts Council help for Swindon

Swindon's MPs have welcomed the news that two groups in the town will benefit from Arts Council England’s Emergency Response Fund.

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland and North Swindon Justin Tomlinson said: “We understand how difficult the COVID outbreak has been for the creative sector, and the challenges it has faced. 

"We are delighted that both Tangled Theatre Company and Swindon Dance have been granted this money, which we hope will help relieve some of the challenges COVID has posed.”

Arts Council England this week announced an investment of over £33million to help 196 of its National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs). From this funding, Swindon Dance will receive £13,000, and Tangled International £23,317.

Arts Council England Launched its Emergency Response Fund in March to help alleviate the immediate pressures faced by artists, arts organisations, creative practitioners, museums, and libraries affected by the COVID outbreak.

The Emergency Response Package has already awarded £69million to 10,000 individuals and independent groups – with the overall package coming to £160million. National Lottery funding accounts for 90 percent of the investment, with additional support from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and sport, a HM Treasury.

Swindon Dance, based at Regent Circus, helps provide access to participate in a variety of dance activities alongside opportunities to see inspirational dance. Although the school has had to close during the COVID outbreak, it has continued to offer online classes and activities, and has encouraged what it calls social dis-dancing.

Based at Prime Theatre, Tangled International is an is an African Caribbean Theatre Company with a special focus in South West England. 

It works to celebrate the work of artists of African, Caribbean and more than 50 other heritages, and highlight their contribution to UK theatre.