• Cambridge Junction awarded over £1.9 million funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation
• Resident Cambridge arts companies New International Encounter and Collusion also successful in their applications

In an incredible vote of confidence in the city’s fantastic cultural programmes, Cambridge’s arts and cultural organisations have today been awarded vital multi-year funding by Arts Council England. The announcement of the funding body’s National Portfolio Organisations for the next three years (2023-2026) includes fantastic news for Cambridge Junction, who have been awarded £1,947,438 over the next three years. 

Arts Council England’s partnership is vital to the ongoing delivery of Cambridge Junction’s core purpose – to share the power of live performance and creativity – and provides core funding that will enable the organisation to continue developing its Creative Learning, Community and Artist Development programmes. The next three years will see Cambridge Junction establish its role as a Centre of Excellence for its work with young people with complex needs, engaging and delighting audiences from across the city, county and region, and continuing to be an inspiring platform and creative partner of choice for artists, musicians and performers from across the region, country and the globe.

This great news comes at the end of a busy and successful week for Cambridge Junction. Over seven days of world-class creative activity, Cambridge Junction presented packed gigs and shows, co-produced a major participatory film project with Ibsen Award-winning Australian company Back to Back Theatre and engaged with nearly 200 young people through its Creative Learning programmes.

As well as Cambridge Junction, two of the arts centre’s resident companies New International Encounter (NIE) and Collusion have also been successful in their applications to Arts Council England.

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said:

“Together, each of the 990 organisations that have been offered funding today will contribute to a portfolio that is rich, varied and truly national. This is our widest ever spread of investment across the country, ensuring that many more people will have access to a wider choice of exceptional art, culture and creative opportunities on their doorsteps. We are in tough times but we must remember creativity brings with it extraordinary dividends, boosting our country’s economic growth, creating jobs, bringing communities closer together, and making us happier as individuals. Everyone deserves to enjoy the benefits it brings, and with this investment, we believe we’ve taken a decisive step towards making that vision a reality.”

Matt Burman, Artistic Director at Cambridge Junction said:

“Today’s announcement is a key stage in the ongoing development of Cambridge Junction and this genuinely significant award gives us tremendous confidence in further strengthening all the work we do and of which we are really proud, and delivering on our ambitions for the future. I’m incredibly grateful to Arts Council England for being such a crucial partner in all that we do. I want to thank our team and board for their passion, commitment and continued professionalism welcoming everyone who comes to Cambridge Junction. And a massive round of applause for our audiences and the fantastic young people with whom we work, and all our stakeholders and supporters who provide such vital funds for all that we do! We really couldn’t do this without you!”

Alex Byrne, Artistic Director of New International Encounter said:

“We’re really happy to have received this funding after some difficult years and during a time of challenge for everyone. We believe in the vital importance of culture and creativity in people’s lives as a way to reflect on the world and their community.  This commitment of 3 years funding will help us to continue our work with young people in Cambridgeshire, particularly those who experience barriers to accessing arts and culture. We will use this funding create inspiring and transforming theatre projects with and for young people and to  share our joyful family shows with the biggest audiences possible”

Rachel Drury and Rich Hall, Directors of Collusion said:

“We are over the moon to have received an offer from Arts Council England supporting Collusion and our work between April 2023 and March 2026. After the uncertainty of the last few years, this is a game changing opportunity for us to consolidate and build on our creative tech focused work with artists and place-based activity in King’s Lynn to achieve amazing things! We are excited to move forward with our partners and collaborators, and truly thank them for being with us on the journey so far”.