Burnley based arts charity wins almost £30,000 of emergency Covid funding and appoints new trustee as it looks to the future

Mid Pennine Arts Association has faced a stiff challenge to navigate lockdown and ensure the survival of its community-based work.

But it has been successful in bidding for funds from the Arts Council, and other sources, which has been vital in helping the charity survive the long months of complete lockdown and emerge from Covid 19.

The charity has received £28,300 of public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England Emergency Response Fund. With that support, the organisation is now able to look ahead, and to gradually resume work on its variety of long-term projects with communities around Pennine Lancashire.

To help the organisation do that it is strengthening its board of governance with the announcement of a new appointment to the board.

The latest trustee is Burnley based Amber Corns who brings with her a wealth of private sector and business

experience, having worked for blue chip companies, and more recently in the prominent role of Brand Manager for Burnley, supporting and growing the hugely successful Bondholders.

This has given her a strong business network across East Lancashire, which continues to develop in her current role at Burnley-based +24 Marketing.

Amber said: "I've been a huge fan of MPA's work for years, and was lucky enough to work closely with them in my Burnley role. I'm delighted to be able to join the board, and look forward to bringing my passion and enthusiasm to their great work.”

Creative Director Nick Hunt said Mid Pennine was 'immensely grateful' to the Arts Council for its support when it was really needed.

He said: " We know that the pandemic has hit many people, and many companies in our sector, really hard.

"We’ll be determined to pay back this investment by ensuring that our communities see real, lasting benefits from our long-term projects – Spodden Valley Revealed for Rossendale, Burnley Canal Festival, new greenway routes around Pennine Lancashire, and Pendle Radicals for the Pendle Hill programme.

"To make these exciting projects as good as they can possibly be, we depend on leadership from the charity’s trustees.

"So we are delighted to welcome Amber to the board. Her skills, experience and passion for what we do will be invaluable in helping us navigate the future after Covid 19."