AN £85,000 funding boost for projects in south and west Dorset is all art.

Three arts and cultural organisations based in Dorchester plus one on Portland have been awarded money to help boost fundraising and drive further investment.

The cash from the Arts Council is to help create a more sustainable and resilient arts and culture sector.

The successful applicants are among 117 around the country sharing a total of £2.8 million.

Local recipients of Catalyst Small Grants programme (receiving a total of £85,884) are:

  • Artsreach (Dorchester) £22,194
  • b-side Multimedia Festival CIC (Portland) £27,750
  • Dorset Opera (Dorchester) £12,000
  • Dorchester Arts £23,940

Area director for Arts Council England Phil Gibby said: “We’re delighted to support these groups through our National Lottery-funded Catalyst Small Grants programme. This investment will help to build their fundraising capacity and attract more private giving.”

He added: “The fund is one of the measures we put in place to help create a more sustainable and resilient arts and culture sector. We look forward to seeing the impact this investment will have for these Dorset-based organisations.”

For Dorchester Arts, the funding announcement comes after an “excellent year” which has seen strong audiences, the launch of a new high-level philanthropy group and progress towards The Dorchester Maltings, a new artistic venue for the town.

Artistic director Mark Tattersall: “Just under a year ago we revealed new plans for the Dorchester Maltings project, to a wave of enthusiasm and support from the town and the region. This grant will help us to build on that vital support and make Dorchester Arts as strong as it can be as it moves towards its new home.”

He said the grant will help provide fundraising training, further enhance capacity to raise funds digitally through its website, and develop its thriving membership scheme.

The team at touring arts organisation Artsreach say they are “incredibly pleased” to get the funding.

Artsreach Co-Director Kerry Bartlett said “The confirmation of the Catalyst: Small grant funding from Arts Council England will be invaluable in helping our charity work towards creating a more sustainable and resilient arts and culture sector in Dorset.

“It will allow us to better train and equip the charity, its staff and volunteers and to explore fundraising opportunities and ideas that current knowledge, skill sets and resource just hasn’t allowed.”

Artsreach is dedicated to providing people in rural Dorset with access to professional live performances and creative arts projects in rural venues and communities at affordable and accessible prices.