We’re Delighted to Announce £1 Million Funding for Transported’s Next Chapter
We’re thrilled to share that Transported has been awarded £1 million from Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places (CPP) programme, made possible thanks to National Lottery players.
This new funding will support our work across Boston and South Holland in Lincolnshire from 2026 to 2029, helping us continue to make creativity accessible to everyone in our communities.
This marks the start of our next phase, called ‘Mind the Gap’ — a programme designed to build on more than a decade of work bringing the arts into everyday life. Over the past twelve years, we’ve seen first-hand how creative activity can make people happier, healthier, and more connected.
But there’s still more to do.
Mind the Gap focuses on closing the gaps in access to arts and culture across our rurally distinctive area, reaching people and places who haven’t yet had the chance to take part.
Our approach will centre on four key themes:
Connect – listening to residents and learning about their cultural ambitions
Care – using creativity to support wellbeing and self-expression
Celebrate – hosting festivals and events that strengthen belonging and identity
Curate – creating spaces that inspire civic pride and sense of place
As our Director, explains:
“Transported has opened up new opportunities for more people to engage with the arts, but there’s still more to do. Our new funding phase, ‘Mind the Gap’, is about consolidating our work across festivals, outdoor events, and all areas of our activity to reach those we haven’t yet connected with. We want to create high-quality, place-based arts experiences that truly resonate with our communities, and we’re delighted to have the support of Arts Council England to help realise the ambitions of Boston and South Holland residents and community groups over the next three years.”
Nick Jones
The funding allows us to reach some of the most vulnerable and isolated in our communities and give them chance to tell their story and express themselves through stained glass, print, drawing, creative writing and a host of other art forms.
To mark this exciting new chapter, we’ve created a short film with Electric Egg – Transported: 10 Years of Arts Engagement. The film looks back at the impact of our work so far, celebrating the creativity, collaboration, and community pride that have shaped Transported since we began.
From projects like the Boston School of Mosaic and ARTeFACT to festivals and outdoor events, the film captures how art has helped strengthen local identity and wellbeing across Lincolnshire. As one participant reflects, “It feels worthwhile because it’s for the community.”
Transported operates within the University of Lincoln’s College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, embedding the University directly within local communities. This partnership allows us to combine academic expertise with grassroots engagement, aligning our work with the University’s mission to transform lives and enrich communities.
Professor Dominic Symonds, Director of Research for the College of Arts and Chair of Transported’s Management Board, says:
“The University is proud of Transported’s successful bid for this next phase of Creative People and Places funding. Transported was the only programme to receive an uplift from previous funding phases, a testament to the team’s dedication, expertise, and impact. Through initiatives like ‘Mind the Gap’, the University is able to place creativity at the heart of communities, transforming lives and fostering cultural participation across Lincolnshire.”
We’re proud of how far we’ve come — and we’re ready to keep moving forward. With the support of Arts Council England, National Lottery players, and our many local partners, we’ll continue to make Boston and South Holland places where creativity thrives and everyone can take part.
Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England said:
“Creative People and Places projects bring organisations and communities together to shape the creative and cultural activities available in their local area. Funded by the National Lottery, we are investing more than £9.2 million in the Midlands, to ensure more people can experience, connect and take part in creativity on their doorsteps.
“Transported’s new phase ‘Mind the Gap’ brings rural and coastal communities together for a range of high quality creative and cultural experiences that are accessible, relevant, raise aspirations, and help the area to thrive through a collaborative approach to culture.”
Everyone should have the chance to experience creativity and culture that reflects their own stories and surroundings and we’re looking forward to working with you to make this happen.