THREE of the city's leading arts organisations are ready to join forces in a bid to secure backing for the future. 

The Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival, Salisbury Arts Centre and Salisbury Playhouse are in discussions about options to "develop a new joint and innovative artistic offer for the city's residents, visitors and the wider Wiltshire community". 

Staff who work at the three organisations have been briefed about the talks.

Discussions, which are in the early stages, are being carried out by the trustees of the three organisations but no decisions have been made. It is expected that a decision will be made by Christmas. 

The discussions have come about as a result of an independent report, which was commissioned by the three arts organisations and funded by Wiltshire Council and Arts Council England. It looked at how the city venues work and how they could collaborate more closely. 

A statement from the trustees of the three organisations said: "The three arts organisations already collaborate and collectively engage with audiences of over 180,000 across the year and contribute significantly to the city's economy while raising its profile at a regional, national and international level.

"These discussions provide an opportunity for the organisations to explore ways of deepening their relationship and we are really excited at the opportunities that closer collaboration could bring, creating an even stronger arts offering for the county."

The organisations say by bringing together their own "artistic strengths" it is hoped a combined programme could attract "greater audiences in terms of numbers and diversity" as well as expanding their geographic reach.

They also say more joint working could "maximise" commercial potential "bringing more opportunities to work with artists and partners at a local, regional and national level".

Arts organisations across England will shortly be applying to the Arts Council England for funding for the four year period from 2018.

For the current 2016/17 year Salisbury Playhouse is receiving funding of £844,289 from Arts Council England and £139,845 from Wiltshire Council with Salisbury Arts Centre getting £259,249 from the arts council. Salisbury International Arts Festival's current funding for 2016/17 is £174,406 from the arts council and £93,968 from Wiltshire Council. 

The three organisations believe "closer working could deliver a stronger case to their public funders and secure a bright future for audiences, artists and participants".