THE Lighthouse in Poole is celebrating after securing vital funding for the next three years.

The Kingland Road facility has retained its status as a National Portfolio Organisation after Arts Council England confirmed its continuing financial support of the arts and entertainment venue.
The award, of £348,510 per year for the next three years, accounts for about eight per cent of the annual income of Lighthouse, which bosses say will enable it to continue to deliver a wide ranging and great arts and entertainment programme for the communities of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, as well as the wider region.
Chief executive Elspeth McBain said the funding would support creative talent development, providing learning and education opportunities for young people through partnership schools and Lighthouse Academy programmes, as well as supporting professional artists to develop their craft and reach wide and diverse audiences in the future.
“Lighthouse is enormously grateful for the ongoing support of Arts Council England and is proud to retain its status as a National Portfolio Organisation in this challenging time,” she said.
“This news has come at a crucial moment as, in common with venues across the country, Lighthouse is still in recovery from the pandemic and that recovery remains a priority.
“Audiences are returning, but not yet at the same levels pre-pandemic, and venues are facing a perfect storm of increased operating costs, a cost-of-living squeeze on audiences, soaring energy prices and deepening economic hardship, so there are enormous challenges ahead.”