Arts Council England has awarded the first commissioned grants from its Creative People and Places programme, which is designed to empower communities to take the lead in shaping local arts provision.

The programme focuses on areas of the country where involvement in the arts is significantly below the national average and takes a new approach by allowing communities and grass roots organisations to play a leading part in inspiring others to get involved with the arts.

Seven consortium applications were successful and have been awarded a total of just under £16m over three years, with grants including £3m to Blackpool Coastal Housing (North West) and £2.59m to Arts NK (East Midlands).

To read more on the initiative and to see the full list of grant recipients, click here.