Coordinated campaign to thank Lottery players for arts funding

Artists and arts organisations that have received funding via the National Lottery are encouraged to say ‘thank you’ to the public in a coordinated social media campaign next week.

Arts Council England (ACE), which is working on the campaign alongside the BFI and the other UK arts councils, is asking any recipient of Grants for the Arts, Capital, Catalyst or strategic funding to tweet photos and videos with the hashtag #ThanksToYou.

A linked campaign by the Heritage Lottery Fund will see visitor sites across the UK offering free entry to anyone with a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard.

“Every week, £30m goes towards arts and culture, local communities, heritage and sport across the UK – this is where money for Grants for the Arts and many of our other funds comes from,” a statement on the ACE website reads. “But not everyone who plays the Lottery knows this.”

It continues: “You can show off the great work you’ve been able to achieve thanks to Lottery players and encourage more people to join them.”

Participating organisations and individuals are encouraged to post images and videos thanking the National Lottery players. A catalogue of ready-made messages, social media cards and pictures has been made available.

Wider campaign

The wider Good Causes campaign will run for four weeks, with each week led by a different cause – arts, community, sports and heritage.

From 11 to 17 December, more than 400 National Lottery-funded heritage sites will open their doors for free, or offer treats or discounts to anyone with a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard.

Participating organisations include the Roman Baths and the National Trust, which will offer free entry on selected days. Stonehenge will be giving away free hot drinks to visitors.

The arts ‘thank you’ campaign runs from 20 to 26 November.