A PREVIOUSLY troubled gallery has been given a vote of confidence after being named among the top art spots in the country.

Firstsite was left off the Arts Council England national portfolio two years ago amid concerns over how it was being run.

As a result, its funding has had to be confirmed year-to-year instead of the cash being confirmed over in large blocks.

But the Lewis Gardens gallery was added to the national list and was promised £3,258,108 over the next four years.

Firstsite was joined by Colchester Arts Centre, which was allocated £762,780, and the Mercury Theatre, which will pick up £3,109,512.

Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service has also been added to the list for the first time and will receive £797,000. The cash will run for four years from April.

Hedley Swain, area director, South East, for Arts Council England, had particular praise for Firstsite director Sally Shaw, who took up the reins last year.

He said: “We recognise Firstsite is on a very long journey and faces challenges which go way back to when it opened as well as the more recent financial challenges.

“We recognise we are still on that journey but we are incredibly impressed with how Sally Shaw is showing herself to be a really excellent leader and there is an excellent board in place.

“She also has great support from both Colchester Council and Essex County Council so Firstsite is absolutely heading in the right direction.”

He added: “There is a sense now the the programme has a range of high quality art which is appealing to people in the east of England.”

Mr Swain also paid tribute to “local hero” Colchester Arts Centre’s Anthony Roberts for his work.

The centre director was also involved with Firstsite having been appointed interim director in 2015.

Mr Swain added: “What’s great about Colchester is we have, in quite a small area, the arts centre, Firstsite and the Mercury Theatre.

“In terms of population, Colchester has got more of our regular funding organisations than most other places.

“Working together, those three - Colchester Arts Centre, Firstsite and the Mercury Theatre - along with the Museums Service, will be providing something great, not just for people in Colchester or Essex but the whole of east of England.”

Sally Shaw, director of Firstsite said she was “absolutely delighted” to receive the offer.

Anthony Roberts, director of Colchester Arts Centre said: “It’s great to be back in the National Portfolio – this news means we can carry on entertaining, surprising, confusing and making mischief with the good people of Colchester for years to come.”

Daniel Buckroyd, artistic director of Mercury Theatre Colchester added: “In difficult times, our job is to continue to throw open our doors and bring people together.”

Museum services gets huge vote of confidence

A GRANT worth almost £800,000 will help museums bring more major exhibitions and better experiences for young people.

Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service has been awarded £797,000 from Arts Council England.

The service was also added to the council’s national portfolio for the first time, which means it has been guaranteed funding between 2018 and 2022. 

The cash will directly benefit attractions in Colchester including Colchester Castle, the Natural History Museum and Hollytrees Museum - and the Ipswich Museum, Christchurch Mansion and the Ipswich Art Gallery.

Colchester Council culture boss Tim Young (Lab), said: “This funding is going to add real value to the number of activities and displays we are able to offer at Colchester Museums. 

Heritage plays a really important role in Colchester’s identity and the award of this funding is something local residents can be proud of.”

Exhibitions of a national and international status are known in the museum world as ‘blockbusters’ and four of these will be coming to the service’s museums over the funding period.

Activities in the museums for young children and their families will also be increased. 

Service bosses will also review its primary school sessions and explore how museum objects can help secondary school children to study.