LONDON, UK.- Arts Minister Estelle Morris today confirmed that Culture Online will receive an additional £3million to spend on interactive projects in 2005-2006.

In addition to commissioning new projects, Culture Online's team of technical and creative specialists will offer consultancy support to other Government Departments and Non-Departmental Public Bodies.

The news comes hot on the heels of a series of BAFTA Interactive wins for Culture Online projects, announced last night. Stagework won the top prize in the Best Factual and Best Learning categories and Headline History won the Children's Learning category.

Established in 2002, Culture Online commissions a portfolio of creative projects to extend access to the arts and culture. Many of the projects encourage mass participation and inspire people to interact with arts, heritage and cultural organisations in an innovative way.

Estelle Morris said: "Culture Online has enjoyed a strong year, gaining praise for both its creative programme and its robust approach to managing risk. Culture Online and its partners have produced an array of top-notch cultural and educational online resources and I'm looking forward to seeing the new projects in the coming year. It's great to see creativity and effective risk management running hand in hand."

Jonathan Drori, Director of Culture Online, said: "You can create something rather special when you combine innovative technology with a real understanding of audiences. That's certainly been our experience at Culture Online. It's been a privilege to work so closely with the country's top cultural organisations alongside the technology companies that have helped us to deliver compelling interactive experiences. This funding means we can create new projects with new partners. I'm also delighted that we have been invited to offer consultancy support to other Government Departments and NDPBs."

Organisations wishing to put forward project proposals should visit the Culture Online website: www.cultureonline.gov.uk.