ARTS organisations in East Lancashire have been told to tighten their belts after grant money was frozen for the fourth year running.

The Government-funded Arts Council, which also receives National Lottery money, has told the North West Arts Board that it cannot have any more money this year to give to arts projects in the region.

Some organisations have done better than others but most have been left with the same amount of cash as last year.

Blackburn-based Action Factory will get £43,600 and Rossendale-based Horse and Bamboo Theatre Company £58,100 - the same as they received in the last two years.

Mid-Pennine Arts has been allocated an on-paper rise of £4,500 to £86,900 but director Nick Hunt said the figure still meant a standstill budget.

"The belt-tightening gets harder every year," he said. "It makes it difficult to plan ahead and be imaginative when every year you are engaged in a battle for survival. "It gets more difficult because expenses rise every year, notably our staff costs."

Mid-Pennine, which funds a variety of community-based projects throughout the county, relies on the Arts Board for a third of its grant, local authorities for another third and its own charges for the rest.

"We do projects for schools and communities," he added. "They are not 'cash cows.' It's not like putting on Ken Dodd."

Julian Dunn, co-ordinator of Action Factory, described the move as "disappointing but not debilitating".

Action Factory relies on the grant for a third of its revenue but has to earn the other two thirds through charges for community-based projects, which range from publishing and public art to video-making and drama.

Mr Dunn added: "Just in Lancashire from last April to January 14 we've had 2,833 active participants in projects which have been enjoyed by maybe 10 times that number."

Sue Harrison, chief executive of the North West Arts Board, admitted that this year's budget had been a struggle.

"We have had to scramble around at the bottom of the money pot to ensure that North West Arts Board's standstill does not translate into a cash reduction for arts in the North West.

"Where we have seen a real cash need we have looked to other budgets to build up grants.

"Although we have managed to shield the arts from the blow of the Arts Council's fourth standstill budget, it is becoming increasingly difficult.

"I just hope that next year's budget allocation brings better news."

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