Shropshire town’s arts trail under threat as funding dries up

The organiser of an annual arts trail in Shropshire has said a lack of funding for this year’s event is putting its work at risk.

The Shrewsbury Arts Trail, now in its fifth year, takes place in July and August and includes an open exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery.

Organiser Jess Richards said that due to unsuccessful funding applications, it will have to look at reducing outreach work in local schools this year.

In previous years “we’ve been lucky with many different grants”, she explained.

However, despite employing someone to write the funding applications, the organisation has had no luck for this year’s event.

Richards added: “I can’t even afford to apply for any more.”

One funder, Richards explained, had said the arts trail met is criteria but there was just not enough money to fund it.