Arts Council England (ACE) has launched its new £37m Creative people and places fund in a bid to help increase opportunities in areas where levels of involvement are currently low.

More than 70 locations across the country in the lowest 20 per cent of arts engagement have been identified by the organisation using the Active People survey to benefit from support.

Around 15 programmes in those areas will now benefit from grant worth between £500,000 and £3m in a bid to create new opportunities and increase participation in artistic activities.

Artistic excellence and an ability to engage communities are central to successful bids. ACE is also planning to invest in schemes that encourage long-term, local collaboration.

ACE chief executive Alan Davey said funding is only currently available for three years, but would be looking for applications that have a much longer-term vision.

"We'd like to see applicants articulating a 10 year ambition for the communities they're working with that will transform how local people experience and access the arts," he said.

The first of two funding rounds has now opened, with interested consortia asked to register their intention to apply with their regional ACE office by 23 March.

Details: www.artscouncil.org.uk

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