Nottinghamshire Arts Fund open for applications

Nottinghamshire Arts Fund has opened this week for applications from arts organisations and community groups.

People can apply for between £500 and £2,500 from the annual fund which is managed by Nottinghamshire County Council.

Applications can be from artists, arts organisations, community groups, charities, village hall groups and the voluntary sector and all applications must involve a professional artist, must be taking place within Nottinghamshire. New and fresh ideas and projects are particularly welcome.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The county council is particularly keen to welcome applications from projects which work with groups of people of all ages who are vulnerable or socially excluded. Projects should start from October 2014 onwards.

Artist Cathy Lesurf was awarded £2,500 from last year’s awards. The Nottingham based artist put the funding towards The Ballad of Ephriam Flint. This project co-incided with Black History Month to celebrate the contribution of black servicemen to British History, and comprised a story reading with music, featuring professional performers and singers from the local community.

She was able to stage a performance in the newly refurbished West Bridgford Library and the performance inaugurated her new band, Wolfscote, and created a local choir including singers from the U3A.

Cathy said: “Working with communities, celebrating their stories, provides rich material for professional artists and integrating community performers reminds people that we all need creative work. It improves wellbeing on every level. Because I wanted spoken word, choir and professional band, the Arts Fund was essential in developing the different strands to bring Ephraim Flint alive.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun John Knight, Committee Chairman for Culture at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “The Nottinghamshire Arts Fund always generates a lot of interest and we receive very imaginative and creative bids from local communities across Nottinghamshire.”

For more details on applying, please visit Nottinghamshire County Council’s website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/enjoying/artsandculture/arts/funding/nottinghamshireartsfund/