A community focused arts programme has had funding extended for a further 12 months thanks to the National Lottery funded Creative People and Places initiative.
Transported has secured an additional year of funding, enabling the community-focused arts development programme to continue delivering a creative programme of place-making and community-focused projects through to March 2026.
In September 2023, Arts Council England confirmed that organisations in the 2022-25 Creative People and Places (CPP) National Portfolio could apply for a further year of funding. This extension aims to provide stability for existing CPPs and additional time for those interested in applying to the 2026-29 portfolio to develop their plans.
Funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the Creative People and Places programme supports organisations like Transported in empowering communities to lead, create, and participate in local cultural experiences. Since 2012, over 15 million people have engaged with CPP projects, and 90% of those who take part had little or no prior engagement with creativity and culture.
Transported is operated by the University of Lincoln and sits within the Centre for Culture and Creativity; a broader portfolio of cultural initiatives, including the Lincoln Arts Centre and the upcoming Barbican Creative Hub. The programme began almost twelve years ago, guided by the vision of community arts expert Nick Jones and, with support from Arts Council England, local authorities, and educational partners, Transported launched in the early stages of the Creative People and Places initiative.
Sukhy Johal MBE, Director of the Centre for Culture and Creativity, said of the announcement: “The University of Lincoln is proud to support the Transported programme and is excited to continue witnessing their dedication to community consultation and placing local voices at the heart of cultural planning. Transported’s commitment to high-quality artistic provision and ambition for the communities they work with is truly inspiring.”
From the outset, the programme has focused on making art accessible to all, working to overcome barriers that may deter people from engaging with ‘art’ and ‘heritage’. Through these efforts, thousands have discovered and enjoyed cultural experiences, transforming traditional perceptions of these subjects.
At the heart of many Transported projects is community co-creation, with local residents working alongside commissioned lead artists. These collaborations have not only fostered new skills but also strengthened connections to local heritage and place.
Some notable projects that Transported have ran include mosaics celebrating Mayflower-themed heritage adorning Dolphin Lane, and Spalding’s Joseph Hillier sculpture trail immortalises modern-day residents in bronze and striking marine buoys, embellished with sculpted metal flowers positioned along Boston’s John Adams Way symbolising a fusion of the natural and urban environments.
Arts Council England has also announced an additional £11.64 million investment in 2025-26 across 38 Creative People and Places programmes, bringing the total funding since 2012 to £119.6 million. This will benefit 55 local authority areas, including 32 Arts Council Priority Places, providing vital support for creative engagement in underserved communities.
