Art of Tamworth festival will return to Tamworth Castle this Saturday with acrobats, street artists creating murals, beatbox and dance workshops, and a professional wrestling showcase.
The free festival is going ahead after arts collective New Urban Era (Nue) raised £8,000 through community crowdfunding, supported by Tamworth Borough Council, ward councillors and the Staffordshire Space scheme.
Funding setback overcome
Nue founder Vic Brown said the organisation was disappointed not to receive Arts Council England (ACE) funding for its wider two-year programme this year, but recognised high demand for arts funding and decided "the show must go on".
He thanked local supporters for rallying behind the festival, which he described as a "true celebration of local resilience, talent, and creativity".
The Staffordshire Space scheme provided crucial backing for the "high-octane Bathory Pro-Wrestling showcase" at the event.
Arts Council perspective
Liz Johnson, Midlands area director at Arts Council England, said the organisation was "delighted" New Urban Era had been able to continue the festival despite missing out on funding this year.
She noted that ACE funding is "always competitive" with a national success rate of 33%. Since 2018, New Urban Era has received six National Lottery project grants totalling £160,000.
Brown said New Urban Era plans to resubmit its application to Arts Council England later this year and remains "hugely positive" about its ongoing relationship with the funding body.
