20 years after Macclesfield was branded the 'least cultured place in Britain', the town's arts scene is thriving.

The town has an independent cinema, music venue, and 12 thriving touring comedy nights per year attracting big names.

But it is not just businesses that do their bit to bolster Macclesfield's culture.

Macclesfield benefits from a huge swathe of arts and culture-based charities in the town, and many of them, alongside other organisations, has just received a cash boost.

Cheshire East Council has awarded grants to local cultural and heritage organisations across the borough, which seek to enrich and enhance the lives of the borough's residents.

£80,000 has been distributed as separate 20 grants of separate amounts, and Macclesfield projects make up a quarter of the list.

The money came to the Council via from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Macc Artspace, who host free art sessions in the community, received £5000.

Macc Artspace co-ordinator Jane Griffiths said: "Macclesfield Community ArtSpace are really excited to receive the funding."

"We have already delivered children's art classes with our lovely Ukrainian artist Valeria, a popular beginners crochet course, and are currently working in Belong Macclesfield with their residents.

"We have children's sewing classes and art courses planned for the autumn so keep an eye on our Facebook page for details." 

Elsewhere, Barnaby Festival in Macclesfield received £5000. The Barnaby Fair dates back to the 13th century, but the tradition came back in its current form in 2018.

But it is not just in the town centre where the cultural cash has gone to. A rural arts organisation also received £4000.

Mark Devereux Projects, is a Rainow-based collective which collaborates with artists to create 'ambitious creative proejcts, ranging from touring solo exhibitions to participatory workshops'.

Macclesfield Nub News contacted the organisation to see what they plan to spend the money on. Mark Devereux Projects will be using funding to support the next season of our their 'Macc 'n Chat' artist development programme.

"We are delighted to be continuing our yearly artist development programme Macc 'n Chat in 2024/25 thanks to funding from the UK Government and Cheshire East Council," said director Mark Devereux.

"Partnering with Twentysevenb Studios in Macclesfield, we will be hosting monthly workshops and masterclasses working towards a group exhibition featuring the participants' artworks in June/July 2025.

"We're looking forward to supporting creatives from across Macclesfield and the surrounding Borough over the coming months."

You can find out more about the 'Macc 'n Chat' 2024/25 programme via this link.

Elsewhere, Silk Museum History Hunters received £3000 after applying for their grant.

The successful applicants all had to demonstrate how their project might contribute to increased local pride and belonging, all while providing access to cultural experience.  

Councillor Michael Gorman, chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, said: "One of the most positive elements about this funding has been the incredible diversity of the projects that we have been able to support right across the borough. 

"Preserving our heritage and passing on information and the sheer passion that creativity fosters, is something that is very hard to quantify but these wonderful organisations have that incredible passion and enthusiasm in spades, so we're really happy to let that flourish."

Petra Lea, project co-ordinator from Electric Picturehouse, the organisation which has brought the mini arts festival to Congleton, said: "We are very pleased to receive this grant from Cheshire East Council, as it will enable us to deliver high standards of cultural activity in the area. 

"In our case, specifically the grant will be used to create a new cultural event called 'The Green Island Fiesta', which will take place in September. The grant will help us promote Green Island and enable us to facilitate creative activities in the run up to and during the event and collaborate with many local organisations in doing this."

Last but not least, Macclesfield Town Council also received £5000, for a free arts event held earlier this year in the town.

The UKSPF funding also supported the recent 1261 Festival in Macclesfield, named after the town's charter year.

The recent event featured a parade, workshops and performances. Allocated funding allowed organisers to expand the festival to include evening events to help support the night-time economy in the town, as well as promoting local performers and musicians. 

Macclesfield Nub News asked Macclesfield Town Council if they want to make any further comment on the grant.