Arts Council England (ACE) and the BBC have confirmed the 53 successful applicants who will create commissions for The Space, a new digital arts service due to launch on 1 May.

The experimental service will be managed by ACE and developed alongside the broadcaster, with organisations given the chance to engage with audiences in a digital environment.

ACE will invest up to £3.5m from its newly-created £20m digital innovation fund as part of the initiative, while the BBC will contribute technological solutions and ongoing support.

Successful applicants include Bristol Old Vic; Birmingham Opera Company; the John Peel Centre for the Creative Arts, Stowmarket; and Shakespeare's Globe in London.

The Space will be offered across four platforms: smartphones, tablets, PCs and connected TVs, with the project designed to build the digital capabilities of the arts sector.

ACE chief executive Alan Davey said: "The Space will stimulate a dramatic step change in skills development, creative learning and collaboration.

"It will inspire a great generosity of spirit among the participating organizations, with each of them committed to documenting and sharing the journey they all are taking together."

BBC director of archive content Roly Keating added: "What excites us so much about The Space is the chance to unite the BBC's tradition of technical innovation with our commitment to partnership and the arts."

Details: www.artscouncil.org.uk

Meanwhile, the Welsh Assembly Government has announced £2.2m of funding to help creative industries across Wales to exploit the country's digital cultural heritage.

Businesses - particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises - working in TV, music, film and new media will receive support in developing new services using digital content.

The four-year initiative is backed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Assembly Government, together with resources from the National Library of Wales.

Details: www.wales.gov.uk

Image: The Space will feature commissions offered across four digital platforms – Goodluz/shutterstock.com