Lifeline for Lynn Arts Centre
THERE was fighting talk from Lynn Arts Centre this week after a threat to its future was lifted thanks to a surprise one-off grant from Norfolk County Council.
The centre's education and visual arts work was put at risk after the Arts Council announced it would be one of nearly 200 arts organisations in England that would not get its usual public money grant this year.
But the county council has stepped in to help those targeted by the cuts, and given the King Street venue 20,000 to cover the shortfall.
The sum was part of a one-off emergency grant of 75,000 given to arts organisations across the county. Wymondham-based arts development agency Creative Arts East, which stages events across the county, has been given 40,000. The remaining 15,000 is going to the Norwich Puppet Theatre.
Liz Falconbridge, arts and education manager at Lynn Arts Centre, said the centre and its staff were "absolutely delighted" with the news.
"It's external vindication of the good work that we do here with the county saying 'yes, we must carry on with what we are doing'. It's a very exciting time for us.
"We had the rug pulled out from under us when we believe in what we do, but we pulled together and and have been very careful planning and future spending. We have got to be hit a lot harder than that before we go down."
Councillor Elizabeth Nockolds, the council cabinet member for sports, arts and open spaces, added: "I'm extremely happy about the grant from the county council. It means that work can continue with the visual arts programme during the year which is fantastic news."
Ms Falconbridge said the grant will also help the centre continue to help support education with young people, with art, craft and drama workshops, activities and exhibitions.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
