A senior leader at Arts Council England has admitted its an "exciting time" for Lowestoft and its thriving "creativity and culture".
In November last year, Arts Council England announced First Light Festival C.I.C in Lowestoft and the Seagull Theatre in Pakefield as the first two organisations in town to have been awarded National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status.
After joining the portfolio in April, it means both organisations will receive funding over three years.
Now, ahead of the return of Britain's only non-stop beach festival next weekend, Arts Council England has looked at how the investment has come about - and what it means for the future.
Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director of Arts Council England, said: "It’s great to see such an exciting time for Lowestoft and its creativity and culture at the moment, as two organisations, newly funded by Arts Council England, are set to offer exactly the kind of culturally enriching experiences that we want available to people across the country.
"Lowestoft South Beach will be alive next weekend with the sights and sounds of First Light Festival - which is set to be bigger and better than ever before, partly because it is the first since First Light was announced as one of our NPOs (National Portfolio Organisations).
"Genevieve Christie, CEO of the festival, has told me that becoming part of our national portfolio - the cohort of arts organisations that will receive regular funding from us for the next three years - means they can deliver their programme more ambitiously, deliver more confidently, and create richer experiences for audiences, from Lowestoft and further afield.
"This was something I found extremely heartening to hear.
"The other organisation being welcomed into the portfolio from Lowestoft is The Seagull.
"Darren Henley, our CEO, and I were so impressed with this local, community driven theatre when visiting Lowestoft back in 2021.
"The Seagull team have similarly relayed their excitement and pride at being awarded NPO status and have spoken about how our investment will help deliver a ground-breaking programme of performance and community-based arts practice that recognises the needs of the town."
How the investment has come about
Mrs Edwards added: "The growing cultural scene taking root in Lowestoft hasn’t come about solely as a result of Arts Council England’s investment, but rather that our investment comes from the dedicated hard work from those at the two organisations I’ve mentioned.
"They have worked together and alongside local partners, including East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council, as well as with local businesses and other agencies such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund to address the need for further engagement, opportunity and investment.
"This place-based way of working is exactly how we want to move forward.
"I couldn’t think of a better example of this than the forthcoming 24-hour midsummer celebrations on the golden sands of Lowestoft’s South Beach, where I hope everyone has a truly exceptional and enriching time."
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