Councillors set to hear about cultural programme success
Councillors are set to hear about the successes of a pioneering programme that is making the arts more accessible for all.
Article date: 13 January 2026
St Helens Borough Council's Library Service is funded by Arts Council England (ACE) as one of their National Portfolio Organisations (NPO's) to deliver the Arts in Libraries Programme.
And in the last year the headline figures for this service unlocking culture for everyone include:
· 230 events delivered, with more than 100 aimed at children and young people.
· 7,100 audiences and participants have engaged, 25 per cent were families.
· 169 artists and creative practitioners have delivered a programme of performances, exhibitions, festivals, screenings, talks and workshops, with more than 52 per cent of artists being from the borough and half of these in the early stages of their career.
· 85 per cent of all audiences rate activities as good or very good and the net promoter score - an industry recognised score that measures customer loyalty and satisfaction - at 84.85 is the highest the Arts in Libraries programme has had. It is also much higher than the overall average score for arts and cultural organisations (average of 71).
· The programme has engaged people from across the age groups and ethnic backgrounds; and, despite the barriers of access they typically face, almost 20 per cent of audiences were D/deaf and/or disabled, demonstrating how accessible and inclusive the programme is.
Councillor Sue Murphy MBE, Cabinet Member for Localities, Leisure and Culture, said: "The results of the Arts in Libraries work speaks for itself through the evidence that we are supporting our residents to engage with culture close to home. It is particularly pleasing to see that 41 per cent of our audiences come from underrepresented and deprived areas of the borough, which is a key aim of this programme to make it easier to access the arts for all."
The service has been successful in applying for additional funding for 2026/27 and councillors at Cabinet will also be asked to approve plans to submit for further funding for the year 2027/28.
The report and bid will be discussed at Cabinet on Wednesday, 21st January. You can read the report and watch the meeting online here: Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 21st January, 2026, 4.00 pm St Helens Borough Council