Sinfonia Viva, the East Midlands’ only professional orchestra which celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year, has been confirmed as a National Portfolio Organisation by Arts Council England and its funding secured for a further three years starting April 2023.

The Derby-based Orchestra has been awarded £195,642 a year for the next three years (2023 to 2026) which is a total of £586,926.

The funding comes as good news to the Orchestra and highlights the vital role they play in the national artistic landscape. Securing their position as a vital part of Arts Council England’s vision, these funds ensure Sinfonia Viva can continue to make a difference through music, offering meaningful impact through their ambitious education work and ensuring audiences in the region and across the UK have a transformative experience at their orchestral concerts.

In a year which has seen them return to live performance, the orchestra has entertained over 13,000 concert goers. This includes the welcome return of several of their flagship annual events, such the much-loved Darley Park Concert, one of the biggest outdoor classical concerts in Europe and the glamourous New Year’s Eve Gala performance at The Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham. As a part of their work over the last year the Orchestra has also engaged over 6,000 participants and delivered more than 12 creative community and educational projects.

Sinfonia Viva’s work not only enables audiences from across the region and the UK to experience live orchestral concerts, but also provides creative and music-making opportunities to communities throughout the East Midlands and beyond. Pushing the boundaries of what a creative project can be and the significance it can have on participants has given the orchestra a national reputation as a visionary and creative organisation. Sinfonia Viva musicians work regularly with school pupils, people living with dementia, refugees and asylum seekers as well as disabled young people and adults. Sing Viva, the orchestra’s Carers Choir, is supported by Sinfonia Viva year-round and provides a much needed opportunity for carers to take time out to sing, make friends and perform together.

Sinfonia Viva Chief Executive Lucy Galliard said: “The announcement by Arts Council England that our status as a National Portfolio Organisation continues for another three years is extremely welcome news, and a testament to the positive impact that we continue to have for communities across the East Midlands and further afield every year.

“This continued funding helps secure our future but, to enable us to maintain all our activities and fulfil our ambitions, we will need to continue our own fundraising efforts and further develop new sources of support.

“Our vision is to make orchestral music as accessible as possible, and to support those where music can really make a difference in their lives. We are continuing to face challenging times, and we know the personal, social, and educational benefits that our collaborative creative projects make, and the solace and joy that live music can bring. To enable us to make a difference through music for even more people, we still need the support of businesses, individuals, trusts, foundations and local authorities to ensure that we are able to continue our work. Work which has a national reputation. Funding from Arts Council England comes at a crucial time, and with their support we can plan for the future with increased confidence.”

Peter Knott, Area Director for Arts Council England said: "Sinfonia Viva plays an important part in the East Midlands cultural scene and we're delighted to be investing in their work over the next three years. Through its programme of concerts and events, Viva creates opportunities for people to experience classical music and it'll be great to see our funding inspiring people to not only listen and enjoy music, but to take part themselves."