Theatres and arts organisations in Suffolk have released statements opposing the 100% cut to their core funding by Suffolk County Council, which was announced this week.
The Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds said:
Theatre Royal’s funding from Suffolk County Council is entirely invested in their Community Engagement programmes supporting the County’s most vulnerable residents. This cut comes at a time when venues are still recovering from the effects of the Covid 19 closure and the current economic climate, this is devastating news.
The New Wolsey’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Douglas Rintoul said:
The reduction in investment of our engagement initiatives will not only be felt by us but will ultimately cost local government more in the long run. The cultural sector stands at the heart of Ipswich and Suffolk, shaping the region’s identity. These proposed cuts could jeopardise the artistic and creative vibrancy of the area and threaten economic growth. The cultural and creative industries generate over £272m for the region* and contribute immeasurably to the visitor economy, community wellbeing, sense of identity and enjoyment of life at its every stage.
* New Anglia LEP Cultural Evidence report April 2021 Evidence Report
Eastern Angles Theatre Company in their statement said:
Our core funding to cease from April 2025 will have an immense impact within our organisation, for both the scale and amount of work we’re able to deliver and the local, national and community partnerships we can continue to develop for the young people and adults we work with across the county of Suffolk.
And today Brendan Keaney OBE, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of DanceEast, said:
Any short-term political decision made by the Council to cull 100% of the funding for the county’s cultural organisations will have significant long-term consequences for Suffolk’s people, including our children and vulnerable people. It seems particularly short sighted and won’t deliver value for money for Suffolk residents. To have to curtail any of these community projects or outreach activities would mean that some children could miss out on vital curriculum-led dance education, including those living in rural areas. Disabled people, people living in residential care settings, and people living with dementia could also miss out on vital activities that boost their health and wellbeing.
It was announced this week that from 1st April 2025 Suffolk County Council would no longer fund the following organisations DanceEast, Eastern Angles Theatre Company, First Light Festival, The New Wolsey Theatre, Primadonna Festival, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds and Suffolk Artlink .
The county council have said that £528,000 of Covid recovery money will be made available to the organisations affected, for the year 2024/25, to help cover the funding gap.
The Suffolk Theatre Website is asking you to please contact your local councillor to ask them to rethink these cuts. Names and contact details of your local Suffolk County Councillor can be found here Find your councillor – Suffolk County Council
I will be joining Rob Dunger on the breakfast show on Suffolk Sound on Monday 8th January from 8am to discuss these cuts and the effect it will have on Suffolk – you can tune in online by clicking the link above or ask your smart speaker to play Suffolk Sound.
SUFFOLK THEATRE 