New funding has been announced for a Cumbria-wide arts organisation.
The Cumbria Arts and Culture Network (CACN), which supports the county’s creative sector through training, networking, and publicity, has secured sponsorship from Kendal-based online ticketing platform trybooking.com.
CACN director Kate Parry said: "Our free weekly newsletters and twice-yearly Big Meets, which have been going on for over five years now, are the bread and butter of what we do in disseminating information, bringing people together and driving the arts agenda forwards.
"We strive always to make these as accessible as possible.
"This sponsorship will help us to reach more people have even greater impact."
CACN said the new funding will be used to expand its communications and support its Big Meet events, which take place twice a year in different parts of the county.
Each event focuses on a topical theme relevant to the arts community.
The February Big Meet explored starting out in the arts sector, while the September event will look at the role of culture within Cumbria’s new combined mayoral authority.
Joan Lind, managing director of Trybooking, said: "Working with CACN is a natural fit for us. Since 2014, we have proudly supported the Arts Community across Cumbria and the UK all from our head office in Kendal.
"We are delighted to sponsor CACN and strengthen our connections with creatives across the county, while supporting their initiatives with young Cumbrians and showcasing the wealth of creative talent and opportunities Cumbria has to offer."
CACN is primarily funded by Arts Council England and Cumbria’s two unitary authorities, but this commercial sponsorship marks a new avenue of support.
Among CACN’s current projects is See It To Be It, which supports young people in developing careers in the arts.
Another project, PIVOT, is designed for mid-career artists seeking to take their work in new directions but who lack the time or resources to do so.
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