Harlow-based Rhiannon Faith Company joins Arts Council England’s National Portfolio, securing significant arts funding for the next three years
RFC, who have been Associate artists at Harlow Playhouse since 2017, are one of 276 new additions to the country’s National Portfolio, in what was widely anticipated to be the biggest shakeup of arts funding in many years, it was announced last week.
Altogether, 446 million pounds will be invested annually across the UK in the new three-year funding round, up £40 million a year from the previous round.
The company, who are are sector leaders in socially engaged dance theatre on a local and national level, work closely with Harlow Playhouse to engage people of all backgrounds in accessible dance activity. Earlier this year, they successfully leveraged funding to host a weeklong free family-friendly festival in Harlow Town Park, featuring three daily performances of ‘9 Acts of Care’, a premiere performed by the company’s professional dancers alongside a cast of local residents.
2022 also saw the company nominated for two more prestigious National Dance Awards, having been nominated for two in 2021.
Rhiannon Faith, celebrating the company’s success and looking to a bright future, commented:
“Myself and Executive Director Maddy Morgan are over the moon to have received regular funding to continue our artistic relationship with Harlow communities and services. Our recent Care House Festival was so joyous and with this news we can plan for next year’s to be even more brilliant. Harlow Playhouse took a leap of faith making me an associate artist in 2017, but with their belief and support we have become the first National Portfolio Organisation Harlow has ever had and we will strive to bring national focus to the inspiring people and places in this brilliant town”
