Over the past four years Plymouth Music Zone, our partners, local communities and volunteers have been immensely lucky to greatly benefit from National Portfolio investment from Arts Council England (ACE). You may have seen the news over the last few days since the important funding announcement that has impacted the arts sector nationally. Sadly, we were told that Plymouth Music Zone was one of the more than 700 arts organisations whose application has not been successful for ACE’s upcoming 2023-26 National Portfolio programme.
Plymouth Music Zone’s Chief Executive, Debbie Geraghty, says:
“It does feel like unfortunate timing for such disappointing news, especially after the exceptional efforts that have been made to keep the arts open to everyone in Plymouth for so long. However, we’re very aware it was the Arts Council’s most competitive funding round to date. We all knew it was going to be tougher than ever. We really feel for those organisations who lost out too yet take heart from the vast surge of creativity within communities across the country – so clearly ready and calling out to be further invested in.
We want to celebrate those fantastic organisations who had better news, especially our wonderful arts colleagues right here in Plymouth who we will keep working closely with. We want nothing more than a vibrant and diverse arts sector that works together for the good of this city so the arts can continue to infuse and inspire every corner of the community during these terribly difficult times.
Meanwhile, Plymouth Music Zone will be operating as usual doing all it can through the support of other funders and partners who passionately share our commitment to championing inclusion and putting music at the centre of efforts to bring people together in truly wonderful and powerful ways.
Thank you to those who support music making a difference. As ever, we remain humbled to be part of such a beautifully kind musical community.”
We also remain thankful to Arts Council England for their important investment to date and for all the future ways they can still support PMZ and many others.
We want to reassure our participants, and everyone, that despite this particular funding setback we still face the future with confidence with our passion sparkling stronger than ever. In the past 22 years, we’ve managed to build up a highly committed and experienced team who will continue to forge ahead finding alternative financial routes to add to our already amazing existing funders and supporters. Special PMZ thanks if you’re one of those supporters already – and individual donations will also be an important part of that ongoing journey.
You can click the donate button via this link:
https://www.justgiving.com/plymouthmusiczoneltd
You can also get in touch to find out other ways you can support us. Phone us on 01752 213690 or email info@plymouthmusiczone.org.uk