IGC have been awarded a grant of £99,999 from Arts Council England to enable the organisation to continue to invest in, develop and platform Midlands artists. Alongside funding support from partners and Trusts & Foundations, this will see them spend £149,828, over the next 12 months, directly on freelance artists and companies.

This Arts Council England investment allows IGC to continue to deliver its highly successful and in-demand open-access programme of workshops, 1-2-1 advice surgeries, producer training, networking and social events, performance platforms, and their annual summer festival Departure Lounge. The organisation will also launch revamped elements of the programme later this year, providing even more targeted support to artists from under-represented backgrounds.

This work happens with funding and collaboration from their partners who are equally committed to artist development in the Midlands. They are Derby Theatre, Attenborough Arts Centre (Leicester), The Core at Corby Cube, Royal & Derngate (Northampton), Arena Theatre (Wolverhampton), Nottingham Playhouse, Lincoln Arts Centre, Mansfield District Council, Nonsuch Studios (Nottingham), and newest partner venue Y Theatre (Leicester).

“IGC is a key part of the infrastructure in the Midlands.  It uniquely brings together leading producing theatres, vibrant arts centres and independent artists on an equal platform. It is testament to what can be achieved to make a thriving artistic ecology when partnership is central and the shared goal of making the region a home which welcomes and nurtures talent is foremost. At a time when the artistic landscape can feel very bleak for independent artists, In Good Company is a shining beacon.  We are really lucky to have such a skilled and dedicated team in post and I am looking forward to supporting them as they continue to shape the landscape, lead with integrity and set standards for best practice.”

Sarah, Brigham, Artistic Director & CEO of Derby Theatre

“We’re always stronger when we work together and this partnership is testament to what we can achieve across the might Midlands area to support independent artists and make our artistic ecologies thrive with strong investment in talent development. Lincoln Arts Centre is proud to play its part taking Lincoln back into the partnership last year, in addition it’s own support and investment, which sees the venue invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in sector and talent development activity including commissions, seed commissions, development nights and more.”

Ben Anderson, Director, Lincoln Arts Centre

About In Good Company 

In Good Company is the leading artist development organisation for performance makers in the Midlands. Born out of consultancy with Midland artists, the programme is shaped by asking ‘what do you need to continue to make your art?.’

“We are incredibly excited to carry on supporting and championing Midlands made work and artists. This investment from the Arts Council is a testament to the work and impact the programme and region-wide partnership makes. We look forward to continuing to nurture and grow the partnership with partners who align with our values and aims.”

Rafia Hussain, Strategic Producer, In Good Company

“In Good Company has proved itself a beacon of good practice as a bridge between independents and venues and offers a model for the future as ACE moves into its Let’s Create strategy.”

Lyn Gardner, Theatre Critic.