Major investment to boost East Cleveland Mining Museum
Land of Iron to get over £650,000
Last updated 1st May 2025
Land of Iron is one of hundreds of arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings which will receive a share of more than £270 million as part of an Arts Everywhere Fund from the government, supporting jobs and creating opportunities for young people to learn creative skills while helping to boost people’s sense of pride in where they live.
The £655,907 extra funding will be used to help address the structural stability of the mining tunnels, as well as widening public access and engagement.
Today's announcement will help protect hundreds of jobs in the cultural and heritage sectors. Overall, cultural sectors support 666,000 filled jobs across the country. That is why the creative industries were identified as one of the eight growth-driving sectors in the government’s Industrial Strategy - with the potential to boost economic growth throughout communities in the UK.
At an inaugural lecture marking the 60th anniversary of the first ever arts white paper by former Minister Jennie Lee, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy will gather leaders from across the arts and culture sectors at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford-upon-Avon. She will set out how Jennie Lee’s vision of the ‘arts for everyone, everywhere’ will be made a reality as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
Commenting on the news Luke Myer MP said:
"I am delighted that the Government has listened and decided to support this fantastic local asset after I raised the issue in Parliament and with Ministers in November last year.
"Land of Iron is a brilliant tourist destination, which does so much to preserve our mining heritage in East Cleveland. I am proud to support them."
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“Arts and culture help us understand the world we live in, they shape and define society and are enjoyed by people in every part of our country. They are the building blocks of our world-leading creative industries and make a huge contribution towards boosting growth and breaking down barriers to opportunities for young people to learn the creative skills they need to succeed.
“The funding we are announcing today will allow the arts to continue to flourish across Britain, creating good jobs and growth by fixing the foundations in our cultural venues, museums, libraries and heritage institutions.
“As a government that is on your side, our Plan for Change will ensure that arts and cultural institutions truly are for everyone, everywhere