Cambridge Junction has announced that it will receive £498,500 from Arts Council England’s National Lottery funded Ambition for Excellence Programme.

The funding has been awarded for its Diverse Actions programme, a new three-year national talent development programme from Live Art UK. It is dedicated to supporting the ambition, excellence and talent of black and minority ethnic artists. The arts centre will deliver the programme in partnership with two

organisations across England helping culturally diverse artists to develop and tour new work.

The programme will focus on four key areas: professional development, new work, leadership and legacy. Each will help to increase opportunities for talented black and minority ethnic artists, while also strengthening current and future leadership. The programme will also promote the national discussion

around cultural diversity and its importance.

Daniel Brine, director of the junction said: “I’m delighted Live Art UK has been awarded this significant grant for our project Diverse Actions. It is

fantastic that Arts Council England has responded to the demand for an exciting and targeted programme of talent development, new work and leadership for artists from culturally diverse backgrounds working in live art. Over three years Diverse Actions will enable a step-change in live art in the UK. We expect to

see active leaders working within our sector; fired-up practitioners, skilled-up for the challenges of the future; and more work by artists, distributed more widely. At Cambridge Junction we’re looking forward to leading this project and working with our partners from across the UK to make Diverse Actions a

success.”