ROAR of delight at Arts Council funding

Artists attend a ROAR Talk seminar from a guest speaker.

Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance (ROAR) has kept its status as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) with Arts Council England (ACE).

The recognition entitles ROAR to five years of funding — £70,439 in 2018/19 and a total of £281,756 by 2022.

ROAR has supported Rotherham creatives for 12 years, helping them to reach their potential and earn a living from art.

It also co-ordinates public art projects — most recently Up Projects’ barge-based Floating Cinema, which visited Rotherham Lock on Wednesday night.

ROAR chief executive Sharon Gill said: “This funding is incredibly important to us and is already paying dividends in our local area.

“Without this support we would not be able to implement the projects that can make big differences to outcomes for Rotherham artists, which is really great news for everyone involved.”

She added: “With a further four years of core funding, we can continue to improve and expand our cultural offer to both our members and to Rotherham.

“Going forward we are looking forward to providing bigger and better creative spaces so that more people can get making and realise their artistic aspirations.”

The arts collective recently axed its £30 a year membership fee, in a bid to attract more aspiring creatives.

Steve Rogers, ROAR chair and artistic director of Open Minds Theatre Company, added: “This investment is a fantastic endorsement of ROAR’s important role in contributing to the ambition, innovation and quality of the arts and cultural offer in Rotherham.”

COMMENT: How culture can cast a spell

Cllr Taiba Yasseen, cabinet member for cultural services, said: “This recognition of ROAR sends a really powerful message about how important arts and culture are to the borough and what a difference this can make in the development of economy, health and well-being and education.

“This partnership between ACE and ROAR will yield great results in our communities, which will ultimately benefit our artists who may otherwise have missed out on the support they need.”

Literacy charity Grimm & Co was also recognised by ACE with a new NPO membership.

The apothecary for magical creatures will get £115,000 during 2018/19, with a total of £460,000 awarded by 2022.

See this weeks’ Rotherham Advertiser for more information and reaction from the charity.