Arts Council Puts on More Lotto restrictions

• National Lottery
• Additionality

This would tend to support the claim that the Arts Council views National Lottery funding as no different to exchequer funding as it seeks to maintain core organisations previously financed by DCAL.

In essence only organisations whose funding runs out in March 2008 will be permitted to apply for what it calls ‘standstill’ funding for the 2008/2009 funding round.

The Lottery Multi-Annual Arts Programme was introduced to move organisations previously funded by the exchequer funded ASOP (Annual Support of Organisations Programme) to Lottery revenue to ensure they received ongoing support. It was seen as a controversial move as it was considered by many commentators as a breach of the additionality principle of National Lottery funding to substitute exchequer finance with National Lottery funds.

In 2006 the reason for closing application to new groups was given as wanting to bring two year projects into line with 3 year funding cycles  This new decision may again disrupt the three year cycle. The reason given by Arts Council for continuing to support existing groups this time is the loss of funding due to diversion of funds to the Olympic Games

When MAP was opened it permitted organisations to apply for between 2 and 3 years funding so long as the amount required was between £10,000 and £20,000/per annum. This was later extended to £30,000 and closed to new applications. MAP has the same guidelines and criteria as the exchequer Annual Support of Organisations Programme, the only difference being the amount of funding on offer.

These decisions will be reviewed in light of the Comprehensive Spending Review when other changes may be necessary.

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