ARTS projects in Ryedale have received a welcome boost of a share of £50,000.

Ryedale District Council has commissioned six new creative projects to create more jobs and encourage economic success.

Linda Cowling, leader of Ryedale District Council, said: “Council budgets are under extreme pressure and we want to prioritise investment where this will help create and sustain jobs and make a difference to the lives of local people.

“We have looked closely at the impact of creative businesses on providing jobs and drawing visitors and investment into Ryedale and this has shown it to be a valuable and expanding area.”

Among those getting funding will be Ryedale Art Works which will establish a programme of development initiatives to encourage artists, both professional and amateur, to create sustainable businesses and provide further opportunities for artists, makers and galleries.

Sue Gough, chair of Ryedale Art Works, said: “We are excited at the prospect of further developing Ryedale as a destination for quality art and design and creating a business network that our artistic community can benefit from.”

Other organisations which will benefit include:

• Helmsley Arts Centre

• Rural Arts and The Shed which work with communities to support event management

• A collaboration of Ryedale’s four major museums, focused on improving visitor numbers

• The Ryedale Open Art Exhibition.

The commissions by the district council enable the organisations involved to draw significant match funding from investors and funding bodies.

Details on how much funding each project will get are still being finalised.