The National Lottery Heritage Fund have announced that Islington Mill’s latest funding bid has been successful and that £746,000 will be awarded, completing their capital fundraising project of over £2 million.
This will in turn activate their grant of almost £1 million from Arts Council England, which, together with input from Salford City Council, plus over half a million pounds raised by Islington Mill themselves, means that their building programme can commence in 2020.
They’ll be getting a new roof, complete weather-proofing of the structure, new entrance ways, exterior lift to all floors, a fifth storey walkway, and new live/work/event spaces in a complete transformation of the 5th and 6th floors.
Most importantly of all, it means their tenancy in the magnificent building is secured and there will be artists at Islington Mill for hundreds of years to come.
Maurice Carlin, Co-Director of Islington Mill said:
“Islington Mill is sustained by, and thrives off, the collective energy, ideas and opportunities brought by artists. I am one of many artists who made artworks to raise funds for the Mill. Together we raised over £100,000 which is a phenomenal achievement by any standards.
“This latest funding success will secure a long future for the finest surviving heritage building of its kind in the region, in perpetuity for generations more artists to come, guarding against the developing gentrification that has occurred in other urban centres and ensuring that artists have affordable studio space and a creative atmosphere in Salford in which to grow.”
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