Bristol’s cultural champions have been recognised by Arts & Business, the national body encouraging stronger ties between the corporate and cultural worlds.
Representatives of the seven Bristol organisations among the South West ‘champions’ received their certificates at a ceremony in Bath's Holburne Museum from Bath MP Don Foster.
Mr Foster said it was wrong to reduce spending on the arts in the current economic climate as they had a huge benefit to the wider community. It was clear that patients recovered quicker in hospitals where they had art while culture had a role to play in tackling education and crime issues.
He also pointed out that more people visited galleries and museums than voted in the last General Election.
The regional cultural champions were described as “unsung heroes” by Gill Bloomfield of Arts & Business.
Bristol winners were the Bristol Old Vic, Myrtle Theatre Company, Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, therapeutic arts community Studio Upstairs, cycling routes pioneers Sustrans, the Tobacco Factory Theatre, and Bristol Cultural Development Partnership.
