£1.5bn arts investment will aim to boost national confidence, says Lisa Nandy

The government announced a £1.5bn investment in arts and culture in England, allocating funds to museums, venues, heritage and libraries, and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said it should help the country recover its self-confidence.

The government announced a £1.5 billion package for arts and culture in England and said the funding will target previously under-funded areas and organisations. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy framed the investment as helping the country "recover its self-confidence" and as a way to reflect communities' stories and widen access. The sector currently employs about 700,000 people, the announcement said. The package includes money for museums, venues, heritage sites and libraries, and mentions support for youth workers and local mentors. Key details: - The sector is reported to employ around 700,000 people across the country. - About half of the funding (£760 million) is for museums, with £600 million for infrastructure at national museums and £160 million for local and regional museums. - £425 million will go to the Creative Foundations Fund to support roughly 300 arts venues around the country. - £230 million is allocated to protecting and preserving heritage buildings, including places of worship. - The Libraries Improvement Fund will receive £27.5 million, and £80 million will be directed over the next four years to National Portfolio Organisations that receive Arts Council England funding. - The announcement highlights aims to open up opportunities, support youth workers and mentors, and increase local access to arts, history and heritage. Summary: The package is described as intended to protect at-risk institutions, expand access to arts and culture, and support jobs across the sector. Undetermined at this time.