The Regions Win Big In Arts Council NPO Funding, While Big Institutions Feel The Pinch

So, the nail-biting morning for arts organisations up and down the country is over: now they all know whether they are part of the National Portfolio from 2018-22. There will be many individual stories of triumph and disappointment, but after interrogating the data, here's some headline news.

The regions continue to grow

For the first time, funding outside London has gone past the 60% mark. The 2018-22 figure is 60.4%, which is a shift of 4.6% towards the regions from 2015-18.

This is further emphasised by the cold hard cash. Over the past three rounds of funding, London has seen a 3.8% decrease in overall funding. Meanwhile, every region has enjoyed double-digit growth. Big winners include the North, which has a 29.9% increase, and the South-West, with a 27.4% increase.

Some of our biggest institutions have lost out

The Royal Opera House, Southbank Centre, National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company will all have less funding from 2018-22, with the decrease varying between 3-4%.

The National Theatre loses out to the tune of £500,000 per year, without taking into account any inflationary pressures.

Many funding arrangements will be a cut in real terms

Out of 844 funding arrangements, 531 of them remain at a 0% increase and their cash funding remains identical. One assumes in real terms this will be a cut when inflation is considered.

We now know what Emma Rice will be doing post-Globe

Hidden within the data is a new organisation called Wise Children based in the South-West: there's nearly £0.5m earmarked for them for the next four years. The Arts Council describes Wise Children as "a midscale touring and artists development initiative led by Emma Rice". I for one can't wait.

Female-led organisations account for nearly 40%

While there is no historic data to compare this with, an encouraging 39.7% of organisations in the NPO are at least 51% led by females.

Manchester International Festival is set for huge investment

By far the largest increase in investment by a country mile is Manchester International Festival. Their current funding until 2018 is just over £2m; by the time 2022 rolls round they will have received £36.1m.

Museums and libraries get over £26m

For the first time, museums and libraries were allowed to apply for this round of funding. Indeed, one the largest new organisations to be funded is Arts & Heritage (PHC) Plymouth City Council to the tune of £4.1m. In total, just over £26m was awarded to museums and libraries nationwide.

Alongside the data, the Arts Council has released its narratives and strategy. These can be found here.

Sources for all data can be downloaded here