Our analysis of Arts Council England 2023-26 National Portfolio investment

The North East Culture Partnership Manager, Teresa Kirby, has analysed data provided from Arts Council England regarding its National Portfolio, both from the 2023-2026 award periods and the 2018/22 data published by ACE in April 2021, which included those NPOs who were successful then, but who were not subsequently funded in 2023/26.

990 awards were issued, worth £446,264,485 p.a across six Arts Council England geographic areas.

The North East has received 17% more NPO awards for 2023-26 compared with 2018-22, but this amounts to just 14% higher investment in grant value and 14% increase per head when you consider the population in the region – the 7th lowest in the UK.

While we appreciate there has been a ‘levelling up’ across the country, and celebrate the allocation of more funding outside of the capital, we’re disappointed to see the North East trailing behind other regions, especially when compared with other Northern regions such as Yorkshire and Humberside with a 37% funding uplift per head.)

Download our full report on the Arts Council National Portfolio investment 2023-2026