HAWORTH'S Bronte Parsonage Museum has welcomed coveted recognition from Arts Council England.

The society which runs the world-famous tourist attraction will form part of the arts body's national portfolio for 2023-26.

During the three-year period, Arts Council England will invest a total of £115.2 million across West Yorkshire to support its chosen portfolio organisations.

The 55 beneficiaries will also include Bradford Museums and Galleries, as the build-up to the City of Culture year in 2025 continues.

Pete Massey – Arts Council England's northern economy and partnerships director – welcomes the investment across the region, which he says will have "a huge impact" on people's lives.

He adds: "It will help to bring culture and creativity into the heart of more communities and give people from all backgrounds the

chance to enjoy fantastic activities where they live.

"We are increasing our investment in West Yorkshire by 38 per cent, which reflects the ambition shown by organisations and local government partners in the region.

"Creativity boosts the region’s economic growth, creates jobs, brings communities closer together and offers comfort and enjoyment, and we’re delighted to support all of the organisations that will form our national portfolio for the next three years."

Rebecca Yorke, director of the Bronte Society and parsonage museum, says: "We are grateful to Arts Council England for recognising our work promoting writing and creativity through our world-class collection, especially as we prepare to celebrate Bradford as UK City of Culture in 2025.

"We know that this is a difficult time for arts organisations everywhere and we take the trust and responsibility placed in us very seriously.

"We'd like to thank Arts Council England and all our partners and supporters and look forward working with them to celebrate the enduring and inspirational legacy of the Brontes and share it with a contemporary audience."

Bradford Museums and Galleries will receive over £380,000 a year between 2023-26 thanks to the portfolio status.

The focus during the first year will be on working with people to examine new ways of delivering programmes and exhibitions at community locations, targeting those who wouldn’t normally visit traditional arts and culture venues.

Then what has been learned will be used to redesign exhibitions and spaces to make them more engaging and inclusive.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's healthy people and places portfolio holder, says: "We are delighted that our wonderful museums have been recognised in this way."