intoBodmin is thrilled to announce that we have received a grant of £250k from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme. As part of their 2021-22 and 2022-23 grants, over £22.7million has been awarded to 66 cultural organisations across the country, including 6 cultural organisations in the South West who benefit from a share of £2,171,202. The Capital Investment Programme aims to help cultural organisations across the country transform their buildings and equipment so they can operate safely post-pandemic, improve access, seize technological opportunities, and reduce environmental impact. From Barrow-in-Furness to The Isles of Scilly, the organisations receiving funding share a vision to build a fit for the future cultural sector, which all members of their communities can access.
The Old Library was opened in 1897 by John Passmore Edwards as a free library for the people of Bodmin. He built a legacy that championed social mobility by inspiring people through access to books and learning. In taking over this building when the library left, intoBodmin wanted to build on this legacy by creating opportunities for people to be inspired through access to arts and culture. This grant creates the opportunity for us to own the building and invest in improving its condition, its access and its visibility, helping intoBodmin to build a sustainable and inclusive resource for all.
The grant is a part of a wider £600k project which will see us purchasing the building from Cornwall Council and a package of extensive refurbishements to the fabric of the building, including replacing windows, repointing, better insulation, rewiring and restoration of some of the historic features. The rest of the money will hopefully come from a range of other grants and the work will take place toward the end of the year and the start of 2023.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said “World class creativity and culture needs a resilient and sustainable infrastructure toallow it to flourish. With these investments in the buildings, equipment, and digital systems of cultural organisations across England, we are helping to secure the future of that infrastructure, and making sure that people from every part of the country can continue enjoying all the benefits it delivers for years to come.”