Birmingham's Ort Gallery has secured £100,000 in investment from Arts Council England to support its work creating visual art by and for the city's diverse artists and communities.

The money comes from the Arts Council's 'Elevate' fund which is aimed at strengthening art organisations which make a significant contribution to the creative case for diversity.

Ort Gallery, in Balsall Heath, is an artist-led company presenting exhibitions by artists from diverse backgrounds that address social injustice and promote community cohesion.

The £100,000 investment will support the gallery to develop its business plans to manage and produce larger projects, helping to build its long-term sustainability.

By increasing its community outreach and volunteer programme, and setting up a membership scheme, the gallery will attract new audiences and offer professional development to emerging talent.

Director Josephine Reichert said: "Ort Gallery is proud to be a recipient of the Elevate fund.

"The grant allows us to expand our valuable work by offering opportunities to those who need them the most.

"Working with artists from diverse ethnic backgrounds allows our target audiences to take ownership of the work and to be represented in the arts industry.

"We are committed to lead by example and show larger organisations that a diverse programme will reach more first-time gallery goers, ensuring the organisation provides entertainment to all people in our society."

Ort Gallery is one of seven organisations in the Midlands to receive a share of £953,000 from the Arts Council's Elevate Fund.

Peter Knott, area director of Arts Council England, said: "It's essential that England's arts and cultural landscape reflects the diversity of society and our Elevate funding is an important part of making this happen.

"Ort Gallery's innovative and inclusive approach is vital to Birmingham's rich and vibrant arts ecology and we look forward to seeing how our investment helps the gallery strengthen its business and grow its audiences."