A CHARITY dedicated to providing creative opportunities which was launched in the back of a bus has landed a £131,190 grant to improve its base and operations.

Thirsk-based Rural Arts is among 12 Northern venues to receive funding from Arts Council England as part of a scheme to increase organisations' resilience and enable them to offer improved experiences for both artists and the public.

Rural Arts, which was established 23 years ago and now serves communities across an area of 4,000sq miles, will use the money to make changes to the exterior of the building in Westgate, to foster links with the Butterfly School of Dance, which will move next door, to a new building in the summer.

It is hoped the two groups will unite for numerous activities, including shows.

The remaining funds will be used to install energy conservation measures, such as solar panels, and improve its information technology system to improve links between its gallery, art studios and activities.

The charity, which has more than 2,100 followers on Twitter, said it hoped a new database would further its digital activities, adding that online sales had increased by 166 per cent.

The charity, which is based at the grade II listed former Courthouse and Magistrates House, expanded its range of services in 2009, creating media and ceramics studios, a training room and new kitchen and reception facilities.

The charity runs a cafe, gallery and shop, workshops and a range of shows at the Courthouse, a professional rural touring scheme that brings some of the best music and performance acts to 300 community venues and an outreach programme, providing all-abilities events and workshops for schools and community groups.

The charity's director, Angela Hall, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have received the grant.

“From Settle to Staintondale, Hart to Husthwaite, this investment will help us reach and better connect with communities across North Yorkshire and beyond."

Michelle Dickson, of Arts Council England, said: “Rural Arts plays an important role in bringing great performances and events to people in Thirsk and across North Yorkshire and the Tees Valley, so I am particularly pleased that it has received Capital funding in this round.”

The improvements will begin in April and are scheduled to be completed by July.